[AMC-list] levi's gremlin & seat material

["Eddie Stakes" <eddiestakes@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I removed the photos here for amc-list, if you want to see them, email me directly; this 
is a conversation going on the badassgremlin site, but figured would share it. Someone 
asked about Levi's material for their Gremlin:
==============================
I know this has been posted before but perhaps there are new sources out there...Does 
anyone have a source for the spun-nylon AMC Levis upholstery? Also the original grain 
vinyl would be nice. :-)
==============================
Thanks for the help!
grinding_gremlin@xxxxxxxxx
==============================
while someone replied
SMS auto fabrics.  503-263-3535
==============================
and I replied
If you go to hobby stores like Hobby Lobby & Michaels, they usually have rolls of this
fake denim stuff, and also have original Levis Strauss buttons, usually in the button
areas there is small package of 10-20 of them, great for door panels and seats.
then rereplied since I happened to have this stuff on desk for another fellow:

================================
Since I had this stuff out trying to answer a question from a different AMCers in same 
era, here are some photos ya'll might like. One is of the original 1973 AMC Auto Show news 
material, commonly called a 'press kit' and loaded with memos and factory photos. Another 
is a memo from same kit, and notice at bottom, on the comment about Levi's that "as 
adapted by AMC, the 'Levi's trim package uses a spun nylon fabric rather than the 
traditional blue denim cloth. This adaptation was necessary to meet standards of wear and 
tear and stain resistance considered desirable in automobiles, and to conform to Federal 
flammability requirements."

Bullsh*t. The spin was that this was AMC's way of using similiar materials to keep costs 
down, nothing more. Have heard same from workers who I interviewed thru decades. Nothing 
wrong with keeping costs down but this absconds them of anything by simply saying 'feds 
made us do it'. If you have ever seen nylon burn it goes rather quickly and side by side, 
my money would be on real denim.

The other two photos is small rarely seen brochure by a woman, Billie Brown, who made 
frequent appearances on radio and tv for AMC back then. Rather important lady back then 
too I may add and her comments carried tons of sway, just like you see, say, Oprah 
now....if she says a certain type of food is great, it flies off shelves, or read this 
book, and it is suddenly #1 in book list. Brown's opinions were sought after on subjects 
such as safety, pollution, energy, fed regulations, future design, directions, and of 
course then....the sweeping trned towards smaller cars in US.

So this was a small book aimed AT women....in 1974. Really unique. Of course wife Paige 
would disagree with cover where it shows "I have a problem free relationship" however. And 
a hot flash might want to make you put that Mellow Yellow Grelin up some Hyundais ass in 
Houston traffic.

Bart, you might want to save these photos somewhere on your site as have a number of 
people thru the years ask me whether the Levi's Gremlin, Hornet and Concords used real 
denim, which they didn't. PS: in 1978 you could get your Gremlin or Concord  in 4 
different Levi's interior colors: red, tan, blue and black.
Eddie Stakes
713.464.8825
eddiestakes@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
www.planethoustonamx.com

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