Department of the Interior (Post # 76)

Stranded in his workshop in Massachusetts with 10 feet of snow blocking the doors and windows, Derrick Dunbar, Head of the Department of the Interior, has made remarkable progress this winter restoring The Alfatross' seats, door panels, and parcel shelf.  In the photos below, you will see what the seats that I sent him one year ago looked like and what they now look like.  You will probably think the shape is right, but the color differences are dramatic. Yes, they are, but remember that the difference is due to (a) dirt and fading on the original materials and (b) The lighting conditions under which the photos were taken.

Original condition of one of the front seats.
It looks like it was made of one type of
material, but in actuality it was made of
two very different material in two very
different colors.

Original condition of a seat back and the
Pirelli webbing on the base.

The new Pirelli suspension webbing material.
Derrick Dunbar.

              

The original bright color of the rubber fabric used to upholster the seats and "slats" of the seat backs is revealed in this photo taken in Derricks shop after the vinyl backing the protected it for 60 years was removed.  The new material was selected to match this original color.

A finished seat upholstered with dark vinyl bolsters, seat skirt and backing panel and an
unusual material for the seat and back closely matching the original material which no longer
can be found. Derrick Dunbar.

Detail of the stitching and
 textures of the two
types of materials used.  
Derrick Dunbar.

The backs of the front seats are covered in the
same material as the bolsters and skirt.
Derrick Dunbar

The driver's door panel when it arrived in Derrick's shop.  

The driver's door panel after restoration.  Derrick Dunbar.