Interior Color for Convertible

Hi All,

I am working on my '72 Skylark Custom Convertible. I am doing alot of custom work (pro-touring) and was planning to change the interior from the factory green to black leather. I expect to paint the exterior a fairly dark metallic green and install a black cloth top. But then I started thinking about how hot the summers get here in NJ and wondered if a black interior in a convertible is such a good idea (I do not expect the car to be driven too often with the top up). Can anyone tell me of their experiences wifh a dark interior convertible in a hot climate? A white or very light color is not an option for me, but does anyone have an opinion on whether other somewhat lighter colors (such as the factory green) have much of an advantage over black? If it makes any difference, it will be air conditioned and dynomatted (or some similar product).

Thanks in advance for any opinions expressed.

Mark

 

I live in Texas, so I have some experience. All leather or vinyl interiors will get too hot to sit on in the sun in the afternoon. Black is, of course, worse. It's not so bad when you are moving, but if you let it sit and go to drive it... ouch. Put the top up or drape a beach towel over the seats that you are using.

I don't drive with the top down during the day in summertime, but New Jersey can't be anything like our weather here.

 

I live in Michigan and had a convertible with a black interior, once. Never again, too hot to sit on. Make it as light as possible in my opinion. Mike D.

 

One of the reasons that I picked my Buick convertible is because it has a white interior. I've heard from too many people with a dark color interior on a vert how hot it gets in the summer.

 

I prefer the look of a black interior over other colors. But as has been said; watch out on those hot, sunny summer days after it's been sitting with the top down. Butt burn for sure. :moonu: Just get 'er up and moving quickly. :laugh:

It's nice on cooler sunny days though as the black holds the warmth.

 

Thanks for the opinions. You're all pretty much confirming my thoughts. It has been way too many years since I have driven the car with the green interior so it was difficult to remember how bad it was. I think I just have to decide if my aesthetic preference for the black interior outweighs having to deal with hot seats. The suggestions of using white towels or not leaving the car sitting in the sun with the top down for extended periods of time will definitely help in my decision.

Thanks again.

---------- Post added at 09:58 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:53 PM ----------

Dave,

I know what you mean about the cooler days. There were many times when I was guilty of driving in cooler weather (especially cool evenings) with the top down and the heater on. Years ago, when I was still driving the car, the top was almost never up.

 

I drive all winter like that!

 

...with white have to be careful what you wear...nothing that "bleeds"...as in some jeans...

 

>>I had that issue with only one pair of new dark blue jeans. But the color wiped right off the seat with a cleaner.

 

Hey Chris what kind of cleaner did you use? :Brow:

 

>>A little bit of diluted Simple Green took the mark right out with no effect on the seat.

 

I have black interior and yes it gets hot. I would guess most any color than white would be close to the same. I have buckets and just fold them when parked and always keep beach towels in the trunk to sit on if needed.

 

I had buckets/console in my 71 GS Conv too. What is the story behind yours?

 

You are right, most of the colors absorbs light same way as black. There is a only little bit difference. Only white reflects it back. But even you are going with black color, don't go for vinyl or leather.