Hyundai retro car interior

I’ve always loved classic car styling, and when I found this neglected Hyundai Pony, I knew I had to restore it. The faded vinyl and cracked dashboard screamed for help! My friend, Amelia, even joked it looked like a forgotten museum piece. The project seemed daunting at first, but the potential for a stunning retro interior fueled my determination. This was going to be my masterpiece!

Choosing the Right Car

Finding the perfect Hyundai for my restoration project took longer than I anticipated! I spent weeks scouring online classifieds and visiting local salvage yards. Initially, I was focused on the rarer models like the Hyundai Excel, drawn to their boxy, 80s charm. But finding one in decent enough condition, or at least with a salvageable interior, proved surprisingly difficult. Many were rusted hulks or had been butchered with questionable aftermarket modifications. I even considered importing one from overseas, but the cost and logistics were overwhelming. Then, one rainy Tuesday, while browsing a local junkyard website, I stumbled upon it⁚ a 1987 Hyundai Pony. The listing photos were blurry, and the description was sparse, but something about the faded green paint and the hint of its original interior sparked my interest. The seller, a gruff but surprisingly helpful man named Walter, assured me the body was solid, despite the exterior’s rough appearance. He even sent me additional photos showing the interior, which, while heavily worn, was largely intact. After a long phone call filled with questions about rust, upholstery, and missing parts, I made the decision. The price was reasonable, and the potential was undeniably there. The next day, I drove two hours to Walter’s junkyard, and there she was, a time capsule of 80s automotive design, waiting for me to bring her back to life. It wasn’t love at first sight, but I saw the potential, and that’s what mattered. The search was over; my restoration project had officially begun.

Stripping Down the Interior

The interior demolition was a surprisingly messy, yet strangely satisfying, process. I started by disconnecting the battery – safety first! Then, I began methodically removing everything. First came the seats – surprisingly heavy, even though they were worn and faded. Next, I tackled the dashboard, carefully unscrewing each component and labeling everything with masking tape and a marker pen. This meticulous approach proved invaluable later on. The door panels came off relatively easily, revealing layers of dust and forgotten debris. Getting the headliner down was the real challenge. It was brittle and cracked in several places, threatening to crumble into dust at any moment. I worked slowly and patiently, using a plastic pry tool to carefully loosen it from the roof. Underneath, I found more dust and a few mysterious, unidentified objects – probably dropped decades ago by previous owners. The carpet was next, a grimy patchwork of worn fibers. I used a shop vacuum to remove as much loose dirt as possible before carefully pulling it out in sections. Removing the old sound deadening material was a particularly tedious task; it was stuck fast to the floor and the interior panels. I spent hours scraping and peeling, my hands aching from the effort. By the end of the day, the car’s interior was a hollow shell, a testament to the work ahead. The garage was a disaster, but I felt a sense of accomplishment. The old, worn interior was gone, replaced by a clean slate ready for the transformation. The smell of dust and old vinyl still lingered in the air, a potent reminder of the car’s past life. But the smell of hope and possibility was starting to replace it.

Sourcing Replacement Parts

Finding replacement parts for a vintage Hyundai Pony’s interior proved more challenging than I anticipated. My initial searches online yielded limited results; most parts suppliers focused on more modern vehicles. I spent countless hours scouring online forums and auction sites, often coming up empty-handed. I even tried contacting classic car parts specialists, but many didn’t have anything specific to my model. Then, a stroke of luck! I stumbled upon a small, family-run business specializing in hard-to-find parts for older Hyundais. They were a lifesaver! They had a few original parts in stock, including some door panel clips and a surprisingly well-preserved headliner. However, many components needed to be sourced elsewhere. I found a fantastic upholstery shop, run by a man named Ricardo, who specialized in restoring classic car interiors. Ricardo was incredibly helpful, guiding me through the process of choosing the right materials and helping me find a close match to the original fabric. He even had some leftover vinyl from a similar project that was almost a perfect match! For the dashboard, I had to get creative. I found a company that specialized in custom dashboard restoration, and after sending them detailed pictures, they agreed to create a replica using high-quality materials. The process took several weeks, but the results were worth the wait. Sourcing the smaller parts – screws, clips, and trim pieces – was a painstaking process of searching through online marketplaces and salvage yards. Occasionally I’d find a treasure trove of parts in an unexpected place. It was a slow and often frustrating process, but the thrill of the hunt and the satisfaction of finding the perfect piece made it all worthwhile. Slowly but surely, I amassed the necessary components to begin the restoration.

The Restoration Process

With all the parts finally gathered, the actual restoration began. I started by completely disassembling the interior. This involved carefully removing the old upholstery, door panels, dashboard, and carpeting. It was a messy job, and I ended up with a mountain of worn-out materials and rusty screws. I meticulously cleaned and prepped each component before beginning the rebuilding process. The headliner was the first thing I tackled. I carefully stretched the new fabric over the old backing, ensuring a smooth, wrinkle-free finish. This was surprisingly tricky, requiring patience and a steady hand. Then came the seats. Ricardo, the upholsterer, had done a fantastic job matching the original material, and fitting the new covers was surprisingly straightforward. I meticulously installed each clip and button, paying close attention to detail. The dashboard installation was more complex. The custom-made replica was a perfect fit, and I carefully connected all the wiring and gauges. I even managed to fix a few broken switches while I was at it! Replacing the carpeting was a satisfying task. The new carpet transformed the interior, adding a fresh, clean look. I meticulously cut and fitted each piece, ensuring a snug and professional finish. Installing the door panels was a test of my patience. Some of the clips were stubborn, requiring careful maneuvering and a few custom solutions. Throughout the process, I referred to online manuals and forums for guidance, and I even consulted with a local mechanic, Javier, for advice on some of the more intricate wiring aspects. The entire process took several weekends of focused work, punctuated by trips to the hardware store and many cups of coffee. The satisfaction of seeing the interior slowly come together was incredibly rewarding.