Click on image for the lowdown. 
====
| | | Forums66 Topics128,162 Posts1,056,944 Members48,458 | | Most Online14,466 Apr 26th, 2026 | | AD Chevy Trucks Over 6,000 pictures Brad Allen has an awesome collection of Chevrolet factory pictures that he has set up from film strips. Check them out!
Lots of work on Brad's part ... pure enjoyment (and references) for you!
| | THANKS!
For helping keep this great
old truck web site
on the Internet for over 30 years! and not clogged down with Ads! Again, thanks! | | | | Joined: Apr 2008 Posts: 239 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Apr 2008 Posts: 239 | I have a 1955 1st series 3100 truck. The truck needs a headliner. Looking at the one piece headliner and the two piece cardboard. Plan to install it myself. Looking for some advice. | | | | | Joined: Mar 2010 Posts: 10,299 Renaissance Man | | Renaissance Man Joined: Mar 2010 Posts: 10,299 | If you do not care about originality, I would suggest going with the one piece. The two piece (OS!) one is a bear to put in, and the aftermarket ones seem to shrink significantly, leaving sizable gaps. Carl
1952 5-window - return to "as built" condition | 1950 3100 with a 235 and a T-5 transmission
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,270 Bubba - Curmudgeon | | Bubba - Curmudgeon Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,270 | OS?
Oh, ***** ! ( S H I T E as we said in Scotland) or Old Style! or Original Style!, most likely?
They install OK (54/55) They might not have been cut well on the sides.
The will shrink, or most likely deform, due to humidity. Seal the back and sides with epoxy primer (or, any other other water-proof primer/paint).
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2010 Posts: 252 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Sep 2010 Posts: 252 | After a couple misses I got my present liner to fit very nicely with little effort. headliner installation | | | | | Joined: Jul 2013 Posts: 388 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jul 2013 Posts: 388 | The two piece cardboard is a pain to install by yourself. Have a hammer, and a stress ball or punching bag (preferably not your helper)...
Haven't seen or installed a one piece.
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,270 Bubba - Curmudgeon | | Bubba - Curmudgeon Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,270 | Does the 47-53 headliner tuck under the windshield rubber as it does in 54/55?
If you want to seal the cardboard to try to eliminate humidity/condensation-caused buckling after installation, then you will not be able to wet the cardboard before installation to allow "flex" at during installation.
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2010 Posts: 10,299 Renaissance Man | | Renaissance Man Joined: Mar 2010 Posts: 10,299 | OS?
Oh, ***** ! ( S H I T E as we said in Scotland) or Old Style! or Original Style!, most likely?
They install OK (54/55) They might not have been cut well on the sides.
The will shrink, or most likely deform, due to humidity. Seal the back and sides with epoxy primer (or, any other other water-proof primer/paint). Your first interpretation of OS would be correct. I painted the back side of mine, but it still deformed to show huge gaps on the sides. Deformed is a better description than shrunk. Carl
1952 5-window - return to "as built" condition | 1950 3100 with a 235 and a T-5 transmission
| | | | | Joined: Apr 2008 Posts: 239 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Apr 2008 Posts: 239 | I appreciate all the information. Heading south for the Christmas holiday. Plan to install the headliner when I return. Plan to keep the truck. Do not want to put in a headliner that does not hold up. Thinking about the one piece headliner but the price is more than the two piece. I am not trying to duplicate the truck as original. Just want the headliner to look finished.
Anyone have input on installing the one piece headliner? Are the two headliner supports still required? Thanks for all the input. | | | | | Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,270 Bubba - Curmudgeon | | Bubba - Curmudgeon Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,270 | We will be putting original-style cardboard headliner in my COE.
We carefully sealed the back and sides/edges (especially the edges) with epoxy primer and then urethane finish coat (using leftover paint from interior/exterior sprays).
It will be interesting to see if it lasts any longer than unsealed cardboard.
| | | | | Joined: Dec 2014 Posts: 6 New Guy | | New Guy Joined: Dec 2014 Posts: 6 | Hello, New Guy here with a: 1962 C50 Tow Truck / Mobilehome Transporter Has anyone tried adhering upholstery fabric to the headliner cardboard to see if that last longer ? Also, I was thinking of trying a test patch of upholstery fabric adhered to some type of DynaMat product. There is a upholstery place in New England that sells the foam backed material that is used in newer vehicles. Any thoughts or personal experiences other than plain cardboard ? | | | | | Joined: Apr 2008 Posts: 239 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Apr 2008 Posts: 239 | Still looking for some feedback on if anyone has installed the one piece headliner thanks | | |
| |