Is the Legendary Headliner Really Worth the Extra Cash?

themechanic · Apr 7, 2018

I need a new headliner. The one installed by a previous owner was installed rather poorly.

I have a local interior guy who has 27 years in the business, including Mopars. He is warning me against the less expensive headliners. So, my question is are the Legendary Interior headliners worth the extra $100-$125? The price as of today is $174.99 plus $22.95 shipping and $3.95 for insurance at Classic Industries.

Thanks FBBO

OSDart · Apr 7, 2018

Yes. I've never had any problems with Legendary. Used them for years. And cheaper than SMS.

themechanic · Apr 7, 2018

I never heard of SMS. My seat covers and door cards are from Legendary. The interior man commented how good they look.

OSDart · Apr 7, 2018

Google SMS. They're in Oregon. If Legendary doesn't have it, most likely SMS will. Specializing in NOS fabrics. I understand Legendary sources from them.

wannadrag · Apr 7, 2018

I always use the REM brand and never a issue

moes · Apr 7, 2018

themechanic said:
I never heard of SMS. My seat covers and door cards are from Legendary. The interior man commented how good they look.

well if you car has Legendary seat covers and door cards and you really like them, why would you not use their headliner. You will know that the color will match the other products on your car to. Legendary is a top notch company that I have and many other car guys have used on their builds whether Mopar, Ford or Chevy. Up here to get your headlinner installed by a professional cost around $300, so you do it once only!!!! You pay for what you get!!

dadsbee · Apr 7, 2018

I like mine! Had never done an install before, but I pulled it off. It was the first thing I installed when I got my shell back. No dash, windshield or glass to get in my way. Makes it a lot easier to pull it tightly into place.

Wietse · Apr 8, 2018

I've used it on my '69 B-body.
Never seen the other brands but the Legendary looks as original and quality wise is good.
Pretty tough material thinking of all the pulling and stretching I did to get it in place. :thumbsup:

Ranger16 · Apr 8, 2018

I just had my headliner replaced last year. Pretty sure I got it from Legendary. It was a perfect match.

Chargerjase · Apr 8, 2018

I will let you know when I receive mine. Waiting for SMS to supply the fabric to legendary so they can make it. I’ve been waiting 8 months and counting.

themechanic · Apr 8, 2018

Classic Industries has the one for my car in stock. I'm waiting for a decent promo/discount.

My installer has an account with Acme Interiors in California. He is going to call Monday to price the material for his guy to make the headliner. Then I'll compare that price with the one at Classic from Legendary.

Does the Legendary headliner come with material for the sail panels?

themechanic · Apr 8, 2018

dadsbee said:
I like mine! Had never done an install before, but I pulled it off. It was the first thing I installed when I got my shell back. No dash, windshield or glass to get in my way. Makes it a lot easier to pull it tightly into place.

View attachment 592317

Man, that looks great. Whoever did mine covered the metal clips up front that the trim screws go in. I ordered new clips as mine were falling out. What's the trick on installing these? Looks like you just put them in the hole and squeeze the posts with needle nose pliers.

OSDart · Apr 8, 2018

I received my headliner from SMS within 6 weeks. Along with extra material for sail panels, sun visors, etc. However, the door panels is a different story. They estimated 12 months to supply the stock 65' Belvedere 1 panels. I think they'll work with you if you explain your needs. I'm hoping!!!!!!
I usually purchase everything from Legendary that I can. They just don't have a lot for early B's. Especially 2-dr sedan's.

dadsbee · Apr 8, 2018

themechanic said:
Classic Industries has the one for my car in stock. I'm waiting for a decent promo/discount.

My installer has an account with Acme Interiors in California. He is going to call Monday to price the material for his guy to make the headliner. Then I'll compare that price with the one at Classic from Legendary.

Does the Legendary headliner come with material for the sail panels?

You start paying a second person to sew the bow loops in the correct places etc, you're sure not going to save any money going "cheap". Mine as received from Legendary worked perfect. You can see the install in my restoration thread.. in the first 32 pages on DC.com

Sail panels depend on what car, Chargers are one piece and no sail panels from what I understand. On mine I had to buy the sail panels separate as mine had been done by someone in 1988 and I didn't think they were correct. I'm sure you can buy just matching material from Legendary as well.

69bfan · Apr 8, 2018

Acme Headliner provides a quality piece, but make sure that your purchasing what they describe. I needed a gray headliner for a 68 Plymouth B-Body and understood it, that this was the correct correct material in the correct color. Upon receiving the headliner, a can of SEM paint was included as they had simply dyed it to the color. On another car, needed a green one and it was in fact the correct material in the correct color. ACME at the time was much cheaper than SMS on the NOS material. Overall, the product was a quality product and installed well.
We having been selling the REM headliners for years and have had good luck with them. They are considerably less in price. For cars with sail panels, the extra material is included to cover them. Sail panels seem to be more of a 68 and early 69 thing and is not an absolute. I know from talking with the customers, the skills of the person installing the headliner makes a huge difference in the final product. And the final word of advice is to not order the headliner until your basically to the point of installing it. Once receiving the headliner, remove it from the box and lay out so as to allow the wrinkles to fall out as much as possible.

dadsbee · Apr 8, 2018

69bfan said:
Once receiving the headliner, remove it from the box and lay out so as to allow the wrinkles to fall out as much as possible.

Definitely, thankfully with the kids all out of the house I had this floor space upstairs to do so weeks in advance.

themechanic · Apr 8, 2018

Thanks for the tip.

If ACME sells Fine Pembrook in black I'll get a quote from the installer to compare that price to Legendary. I'm almost certain one from Legendary will be cheaper for virtually the same headliner but if it's made in Oklahoma just before installation day there will be fewer wrinkles to deal with. However, I have plenty of space to lay one out after taking it out of the box.

themechanic · Apr 8, 2018

dadsbee said:
You start paying a second person to sew the bow loops in the correct places etc, you're sure not going to save any money going "cheap". Mine as received from Legendary worked perfect. You can see the install in my restoration thread.. in the first 32 pages on DC.com

Sail panels depend on what car, Chargers are one piece and no sail panels from what I understand. On mine I had to buy the sail panels separate as mine had been done by someone in 1988 and I didn't think they were correct. I'm sure you can buy just matching material from Legendary as well.

My current sail panels look like they are missing the upper front corner. Maybe they were installed on opposite sides upside down?

My installer makes his own sail panels.

OSDart · Apr 8, 2018

A little tip. Make sure your bows are clean and smooth. I've found baby powder helps when adjusting the headliner from side to side. If the bows are rusted they'll never slide in the listings.

Ranger16 · Apr 8, 2018

themechanic said:
Does the Legendary headliner come with material for the sail panels?

If I remember correctly, the sail panels where extra for my car ('69 Road Runner), but they came ready to install (already covered).

Is the Legendary Headliner Really Worth the Extra Cash?

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