When it comes to building a hot rod, some people focus their efforts on building power. There are others who feel the exterior appearance of the car needs to be the main focus. Regardless of your mindset, the interior usually gets a revamp of the OE style instead of any updates. Sure, OE interiors were adequate for the day, but with so many upgrades available to enthusiasts, why not modernize your ride with the help of TMI Products.

TMI is not a new company. In fact, this year, they are celebrating 40 years of helping enthusiasts. Anyone who has attended a car show or cruise night has surely seen TMI parts in a car or two, or three. The interior company has been designing and delivering DIY interior kits for decades. In an ever-evolving hobby like ours, that means there is a continual release of new and exciting products to update current offerings — or even add parts to the existing lineup. Case in point, the latest offering for ’66 and ’67 Chevelle owners.

Talk about an unbelievably cool interior.

These new interior products will make any Chevelle the envy of the cruise night or car show. What’s more, you don’t need to settle for black, blue, red tan, or white vinyl. TMI has an unheard-of variation of different materials to choose from. I also need to let you know that there are just as many stitch patterns and thread colors available. With so many options available TMI can help you create an interior that stands out, no matter where you park your ride.

There are so many options available when ordering your interior, it’s hard to not consider each one a one-off design. Like all interior kits offered by TMI, the latest ’66 and ’67 Chevelle kit can be ordered piecemeal or as an entire package. You don’t need to repair rusty, squeaky, or weak springs, you get an entirely new seat, ready to bolt in.

Replacing a complete interior can be a time-consuming task, but, by following the instructions, completing this upgrade yourself can be a rewarding experience.

If you are not sure a TMI kit is right for you, just look at Jeff Bisnett’s ’67 Chevelle. When the interior upgrade began, Jeff’s Chevelle featured a bench seat. To make the change to buckets, Jeff selected TMI’s Pro-Series Low back seats for the front and the Pro-Series molded rear seat for the back. Unlike the factory springs and burlap, the TMI seat has a molded-foam cushion that offers a much nicer ride. The material is distressed Blue Steel vinyl with distressed tan vinyl inserts and the combination works very well together.

An interior is more than just a few seats and carpeting, and this Chevelle features the latest and greatest from TMI Products. For instance, does the dash pad look different than any ’67 Chevelle dash you have seen before? It should. It’s a new molded dash with a distressed-vinyl covering. It complements the TMI console very well. In 1967, the door panels/cards were vinyl-covered cardboard. The TMI molded fiberglass door panels are much more durable and waterproof and still match the insert panel styling of the low back seats. The door panels in Jeff’s Chevelle are also covered with distressed Blue Steel vinyl with distressed tan vinyl insert.

Another TMI upgrade comes in the form of a one-piece molded-fiberglass headliner. From the factory, the headliner was held in place with steel rods (bows) and “tack” strips along the sides. The one-piece headliner is a much easier installation and there is no pulling or tugging required to try and eliminate the wrinkles. I will say, it is much easier to install the TMI headliner if you can slide it through the windshield or rear glass openings.

If you’re looking for a new, custom-appearing interior for your hot rod, take a look at what TMI Products has to help you get the interior of your dreams.

It takes more than good looks to call any car a hot rod, and Jeff secures the moniker with a 383 cubic-inch small-block filled with power-building goodness like World Products’ Iron heads, a COMP Cams hydraulic stick, Eagle Specialty Products rotating assembly, Weiand intake, and a Holley Sniper EFI. With a compression ratio coming in at 9.5:1, drivability is not an issue. Finally, the custom-built Schott Wheels give the Chevelle the perfect update with its aggressive stance.

According to car owner Jeff Bisnett, “my dad purchased the car from an older couple in 1968. He was fresh out of high school and getting ready to enlist in the Navy. He got out in 1970, met my mom, and got married a few years later. I even rode home from the hospital in the car. I acquired the car in 2001 and when it was time to start a complete rebuild in 2018, my wife told me to build it the way I wanted it, so I did.”

There is no doubt that Jeff’s Chevelle is one cool cruiser, and I am certain that this modernized hot rod surely gets mom and dad’s approval. What’s more, I am also certain the car has no trouble claiming its fair share of accolades on the show circuit.