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Haartz on the Future of Convertible Cars 2

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The "Great Recession" hit the automotive industry hard, and convertible tops were no exception. During that period, which spanned from the late 2000s to early 2010s, so many automakers discontinued their convertible models that industry analysts began to speak of the segment as if it was already dead. Well, they were wrong. Because as soon as the economy rebounded, so did … [Read more...] about Haartz on the Future of Convertible Cars 2

Goodguys: Upholstery Tips from the Pros 1

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It's always great when master trimmers offer advice to rookies and the general public, as it helps grow our craft, and establish an understanding and appreciation for what we do. That's why we were excited to see that Goodguys Rod & Custom Association recently launched an article series titled "Upholstery Tips from the Pros." The first installment features M&M Hot … [Read more...] about Goodguys: Upholstery Tips from the Pros 1

Flashback: The First-Ever Seat Belt Alarm

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In June 1960, a man named Wes Jayne in Woodhaven, New York, wrote a letter to Popular Science magazine boasting about how he finally convinced his wife to wear a seat belt. However, his victory wasn't the result of rational argument or even trickery. It was clever engineering. What Jayne did is rig his car's front passenger seat to sound an annoying buzzer and flash a … [Read more...] about Flashback: The First-Ever Seat Belt Alarm

Where to Find Mustang Door Panel Vinyl

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Since its debut in 2005, the fifth-generation Ford Mustang has been plagued by falling door panel inserts. While this has resulted in a lot of business for auto upholstery shops, the original vinyl has long been discontinued — making it quite difficult to find an adequate match. Fortunately, Spradling is now reproducing the original vinyl as part of its "Softside" collection. … [Read more...] about Where to Find Mustang Door Panel Vinyl