Earlier I noticed that leather reversed its status rather suddenly in the mid 30s. Buggies had leather seats because leather is waterproof. The earliest automobiles were buggies plus motors, and continued as fully open vehicles with leather seats. As closed cars became more common in the 20s, cloth upholstery became the sign of status. The best cars had Bedford cord. Cheap roadsters and business coupes had tough working-class leather.
In the 30s open and closed traded status. Roadsters were now Sporty and Fashionable, and sedans were dull and ordinary. Leather switched along with the open/closed variable. Convertibles had leather seats through the 50s, and you had to pay extra for leather in sedans.
Briefly in the early 50s plastic was a status symbol. Hudson observed this fashion. The compact Jet had worsted (wool) upholstery. The cheapest big Hudson had Bedford cord (cotton). The top-line Commodore had nylon! This sequence didn’t last; by 1960 plastic was seen as cheap, and leather started returning to upperclass cars.
Plastic, whether solid or woven, was never a good material for car seats. Plastic doesn’t absorb heat or moisture. It’s hot in summer, cold in winter, and sweaty all the time.
Polistra's Mill 