What the heck is a Detroit Book????

Detroit Book Sample Page

A Detroit book is a yearly fabric sample book that contains samples of all the seating materials used in cars that were produced in North America that year.  The books are published by Detroit Body Products. Detroit books can help you track down that fabric you cant find anywhere. Most importantly it will give you a pattern number. You need the pattern number because most places will not be able to help you if you ask for the light brown cloth used on a 2005 Lincoln Expedition. But because Detroit books are  the industry standard if you ask for Detroit # 4136 M. Parchment you will have a much better chance of finding the fabric you need.

This is a list of all the manufactures that are in the Detroit book.

  • Ford
  • Mercury
  • Lincoln
  • Chevrolet
  • Pontiac
  • Oldsmobile
  • Buick
  • Cadillac
  • Plymouth
  • Dodge
  • Mazda
  • Chrysler
  • Hyundai
  • Jeep
  • Honda
  • Nissan
  • Suzuki
  • Toyota
  • Subaru

OK, Where can I get a Detroit book?

Well these books are not so easy to get… If you can find them for sale they are usually between $150 and $300.  They are only distributed to the larger upholstery wholesalers in the country and they are only given a limited amount each year. So if you happen to do a large amount of business with one of these wholesalers you might be able to get one from them.  Also most large upholstery supply stores have a set that they keep in house that you can look through. So that might work but its a pain in the butt.

Luckily! I have found 2 great resources that provide these Detroit books in a .pdf book FOR FREE!!! You can even download them!

 

First source is Albright’s Supply

They are an online upholstery retailer that provides free Detroit books for these years 2001 – 2016

CLICK HERE to check them out.

Second source is Miami Corp

They are an online upholstery retailer that provides free Detroit books for these years 1999 – 2009

CLICK HERE to check them out.

I was really excited when I found these and  I wanted to share them with you.  I hope they are helpful.

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