BY RYAN MANSON IMAGES BY RYAN FOSS VIDEOGRAPHY BY RYAN FOSS PRODUCTIONS

or some of us, a project car might mean a multi-year endeavor involving everything from paint and body to suspension work, engine assembly, upholstery, fit, and finish. The build is the journey, and the finish is the end. For others, the build is a means to an end, a task to be completed as quickly as possible with the goal of enjoying driving said project sooner than later.

Given the age of a majority of vehicles we cover here at All Chevy Performance, the latter is the less likely scenario, as it’s near impossible to stumble upon a running, driving 1969 Chevelle that only needs a little TLC and not a complete rebuild. It’s not 1980 and most of what we would consider classic muscle are over 50 years old. But as the years go by and the market shifts, vehicles from other, more recent decades begin to look more and more appealing.

For instance, take Ryan Foss’ recently acquired 1992 Chevy Camaro. For years, this would have been considered too new for most classic car shows and magazines. But given the car is now 34 years old, it’s hard to argue it not qualifying as such. And being some 20-plus years younger than the aforementioned Chevelle means that it is possible to still find running, driving examples in the wild. For Foss, his situation required such a vehicle, as his idea of a project is not spending the next decade wrenching away.

After a bit of a search, Foss found a great candidate from which to enter the foray of classic muscle car ownership. Originally tasked as a High Pursuit vehicle for the California Highway Patrol, the car was later stripped of its governmental duties and equipment, spending nearly a decade competing in autocross events (and doing pretty well at it to boot!). When Foss took over ownership, it provided a solid foundation to build upon, with good paint and a straight body, but the interior was dated, faded, cracked, and weary. All the plastic bits (and there were a few) were lackluster and the soft surfaces worn and torn. The tan interior left Foss feeling lacking when it came in contrast to its modern blue exterior. Wanting to update the look both inside and out, he decided to check in with the crew at TMI Products.

With a black on black on black interior in mind, Foss was soon convinced otherwise by the savvy Ross Berlanga at TMI. Berlanga saw the vision that Foss pictured but knew that throwing a little color at the package would not only make it pop but tie it together with the exterior of the car. Berlanga also knew that it would be important to showcase the custom work that sets TMI apart from other upholstery companies. While they can provide a full interior for most classic vehicles like many other companies, their specialty lies in being able to provide that same kit in a variety of materials, finishes, colors, and designs. Custom color combinations, stitching, inlays, pleating, and so on, are standard fare for any TMI kit, allowing the end user to design an interior kit ranging from OE spec to full custom.

While Berlanga and his crew took the lead, Foss was tasked with finding a number of replacement items needed to finish the interior. Some of these parts, like the doorsill plates, seatbelts, headliner plastics, and an interior screw kit were found available new from Classic Industries. Others, like a replacement black plastic interior kit, are not yet available in the aftermarket, so stock, OE parts would have to suffice. After a few weeks of searching, Foss turned up with everything the TMI team needed and dropped off the lot at the TMI Design Center for the complete install. The result is truly amazing and went far and beyond anything that Foss had imagined, giving the Copmaro a truly updated, modern feel and experience.

2. The door panel and armrest don’t scream comfort, and the simplistic design isn’t very impressive.

4. Up top, the headliner is starting to separate itself from whatever jute backing helps hold it tight to the roof.

5-6. The matching plastic doorjambs and seatbelt sleeves will need to be replaced as well.

8. Flanking the black carpet in the trunk are a number of separate plastic pieces that will need to be painted, dyed, or replaced completely to match the new interior.

10. With that last piece of the puzzle sorted, the gang at TMI began the process of gutting the interior.

12. TMI has a huge variety of materials on hand in a vast variety of colors. Originally, Foss had an all-black interior in mind, but Berlanga talked him down a different route by using distressed Steel Blue vinyl as the main material on the door panels and seats.

14. This theme is continued onto the TMI Trans Am bucket seats, which feature side and head bolsters and adjustable headrests.

16. A new steering wheel was wrapped in matching vinyl.

17. The new door panels feature a modern design, even while retaining the recovered armrests and plastic switches, door pulls, and escutcheons.

19. In the trunk, the black plastic kit that Foss procured matches the black carpet perfectly.