• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • About
  • Forum
  • Design Studio
  • Upholstery Jobs
  • Newsletter
  • Sponsors

The Hog Ring

Auto Upholstery Community

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter

Auto Upholstery in the Early 1900s, Pt. 3

November 15, 2012 By Nadeem Muaddi 6 Comments

Thanks to a treasure trove of old photos and documents published by Aro Convertible Tops & Glass, we’re back with a third installment of “Auto Upholstery in the Early 1900s“.

Based in Walden, NY, Aro has been in the business of manufacturing convertible tops since 1919 – supplying them to independent auto upholstery shops and automakers. The company even served as an “OE” manufacturer to General Motors, Ford Motor Company and Chrysler from 1958 to 1976 and 1983 to 1995.

After 93 years in the business, Aro has outlasted most of its competitors and is still going strong. Here are some snapshots from its long and storied past:

“The beginning of a family enterprise – Back Bay Auto Upholstery circa 1920.”

“Another in-house installation in progress. Note the dress code.” Back Bay Auto Upholstery – late 1920s or early 1930s.

“Stack cutting patterns for production” – mid 1950s.

“Fitting a new top in Aro Mfg. Co‘s in-house trim department” – 1950s.

For more old photos from Aro Convertible Tops & Glass, check out the company’s “pictorial history“.

[Hat Tip: Belvedere65]

Filed Under: Archive, Industry History Tagged With: Aro Convertible Tops & Glass, Auto Trim, Auto Upholstery, Back Bay Auto Upholstery, Car Interior, Chrysler Group LLC, Convertible Top, Ford Motor Company, General Motors

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Selvage says

    November 15, 2012 at 6:17 pm

    Ahh, the good old days!

    Reply
  2. Naseem Muaddi says

    November 16, 2012 at 5:06 am

    Awesome pictures Nadeem!

    Reply
  3. Custom Upholstery n Fabrication says

    November 16, 2012 at 1:09 pm

    holy cow!! i thought my shop was a mess, their knee deep in that first photo

    Reply
  4. Eric's Auto Upholstery says

    July 10, 2013 at 3:13 pm

    Awesome Find! Thanks for sharing this article.

    Reply
  5. Belvedere65 says

    December 22, 2021 at 6:58 pm

    Are was located in West Newton, Ma for many years. I have installed hundreds of their convertible tops over the years. One of the real old time suppliers to the auto trim industry.

    Reply
    • Belvedere65 says

      December 22, 2021 at 7:01 pm

      Aro. The dictionary wants to spell words their way. If you don’t check what you are doing it will come out wrong .

      Reply

Leave a Reply to Belvedere65 Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

THR Sponsors

Haartz Right Rail Ad - 12
NC Sewing Machines
Miami Corporation
Top Down Group
Apex Leather
  • Keyston Bros
  • Hyde Leather
  • Douglass Interior Products
  • Albright's Supply
  • GAHH Automotive

THR Favorites

Is Leather Really Better Than Vinyl?

In the past, when manufacturing restrictions … [more] about Is Leather Really Better Than Vinyl?

Auto Upholstery - The Hog Ring - Racing Seat Design Studio

Design Studio: Racing Style Bucket Seats

Once strictly a product of the aftermarket, … [more] about Design Studio: Racing Style Bucket Seats

The Hog Ring - Auto Upholstery News - Dan Kirkpatrick Interiors

10 Questions for Trim Master Dan Kirkpatrick

With so much attention cast on auto … [more] about 10 Questions for Trim Master Dan Kirkpatrick

Auto Upholstery - The Hog Ring - 1974 Lamborghini Espada

Lambo Stitching with Brent Parker 2

Earlier this month, Brent Parker of Brent … [more] about Lambo Stitching with Brent Parker 2

Auto Upholstery - The Hog Ring - Cutters Custom Stitchin Inc

Shop Profile: Cutter’s Custom Stitchin’

There’s a three-man auto upholstery shop in … [more] about Shop Profile: Cutter’s Custom Stitchin’

4 Measuring Tools Every Trim Shop Needs

Measure twice and cut once – it’s good … [more] about 4 Measuring Tools Every Trim Shop Needs

Categories

Footer

Recent Articles

  • Industry Pros Defend Leather at AutoTech: Detroit
  • Trimmer Steven Roger Bergman Dies at 68
  • English Trimmers on Strike Over Low Wages
  • Apex Ultra Square Weave Carpet is Here!
  • Trimmer Albert James Breda Sr Dies at 84

Recent Comments

  • Darren on English Trimmers on Strike Over Low Wages
  • Dan on English Trimmers on Strike Over Low Wages
  • Michael on Sewn Tight Custom Interiors’ Secret to an Organized Shop
  • Fernand Samsa on Nominate a Pro for SEMA Person of the Year
  • Bob Kalb on Custom Hot Rod Armrests Made to Order

Advertise With Us!

We're always looking for companies to collaborate with. Watch this short video about the benefits of sponsorship and then email us to say hi.
anal porno bangbros rus porno yaşlı porno konulu porno olgun porno porno izle sarışın porno bakire sex 69 porno

Copyright © 2022 · Magazine Pro On Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in