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North County Times,
January 8, 1997 |
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| Escondido –
Cliff Chambers might be called a lifer
at Chester & Herod auto interior design. He’s been there for 38
years. In his time there, the work hasn’t changed much. Chester & Herod’s primary market has remained wholesaling its custom-designed automobile carpet kits to “those guys you see in the auto magazines”. The kits are made for cars dating back to the 1920s. In most cases, they mirror a vehicles original carpeting through use of hand-stitching, an extensive pattern archive and a vast assortment of carpet styles. Chambers’ tenure there began in 1959, the company’s 11th year. He was an entry-level employee then, creating custom materials for the carpet kits at Chester & Herod’s original Hollywood location. In 1962, he was promoted to general manager, against his wishes. "They asked me to take the (general manager) job while they looked for a replacement. I said no. They said 'You don't have a choice,'" said Chambers, who feared the additional responsibility would take away from his true love - writing rock 'n' roll music. But Chambers' leadership increased the company's sales volume, so the search for a replacement ended. And Chambers' raise help offset his reduced music-writing time. "It was for the best," he said. "I was so adventurous, I'd probably be dead by now, otherwise." Chambers bought the business in the early 70's and moved it to Santa Monica in 1975, where he and his five employees began installing the kits themselves, while retaining the wholesale operation as the main source of income. Although the company only briefly advertised its in-house installation business, referrals have kept the customers coming ever since. |
In 1990, Chambers
and the business moved to Escondido. Chambers and his wife weren't satisfied with their decaying neighborhood in Santa Monica, and the lease on Chester & Herod's building had just ran our. Chambers' wife wanted to move to the North Country area and it seemed that Escondido kept popping up, despite its higher living cost. "I was laying in bed one night thinking about it, when the Lord said 'Escondido stupid!'" Chambers said. Over the years, Chambers has carpeted and upholstered show cars, cars own by celebrities and cars from kids around the block. Chamber claims to have service Liz Taylor's '64 T-bird, Cary Grant's Rolls-Royce and Sally Strothers' '36 Ford. Custom auto carpet can range in price from $99 to $700, and installation costs an extra $65 to $125. Chester & Herod also sells factory-molded carpet starting around $130. Many of Chambers' clientele are return customers. Bob Skoog, a member of the Volvo Sports America Club, has visited Chester & Herod twice. The first time he brought his '63 Volvo, which later took first place in a restoration competition spanning 11 states and Canada. Last week, he brought in his wife's '65 Volvo. "I'm one of those guys who keep calling and calling and calling. I don't give up," said Skoog, whose wide-ranging search to make his cars' interiors like new ended with Chester & Herod. "(Chambers) does good work. If it's wrong, he'll make it right. That's hard to find these days," he said. |
One of Chamber's
more exciting moments came in 1970 when he created replacement
floor mats for Datsun's then-secret 240Z car. After making the
mats, he was promptly asked to keep his mouth shut. "Only five people in the country knew about (the 240Zs)," Chambers said. But his most memorable job is a '56 T-bird that required only one piece of carpet - to run through the entire car. "I didn't want to do it," said Chambers, who told the owner he lacked the time for the job. But the owner waited more than a month for him to clear up his schedule. The customer was so satisfied upon seeing the finished job, he tipped Chambers $300, saying, "That's why I waited." Through the years, Chambers' first love has remained music. He began singing for a church quartet in his pre-Chester & Herod days, and later attempted to keep rhythm with the likes of Fats Domino, though he couldn't read music. But his music writing, not his playing, proved most successful. Several of his songs were recorded by popular R&B artists. In a few weeks, Chambers will head to L.A. to perform a gospel album, fulfilling a childhood dream. He's also a regular in his church's choir. At times, memories from Chambers' earlier days come calling. Recently, he was phoned by a customer who'd once had his grandfather's car refurbished at Chester & Herod when it was based in Hollywood. The customer was 16 at his first visit and didn't even have a driver's license. "He asked me, 'Are you the same guy?'" said Chambers. "He was surprised I was still alive." |
Mr. Cliff Chambers 5-20-94 May 18, 1994 Just a short note from a satisfied customer. I would like to
thank you very much for the rest of the interior for my '54
Cadillac. I'm very pleased with the material and the way it is
made by your company. I received the trunk mat & spare tire cover for my '58 Edsel
Pacer ordered from you. I have installed it in my trunk and am
writing to tell you how happy I am with your product. The fit
and quality is top notch! |
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