xkeots

Question, my 63 SWC drivers seat bottom tore along the seam line in the vinyl and is not repairable due to how it is torn. Also my door panel arm rests/door pull bottoms (plastic chrome) are no longer chrome, they are grey. Will it hurt the value if I replace these parts with a new seat bottom (I am also thinking about getting all new leather seat covers instead of vinyl, is that bad in show?) and new arm plastic chrome parts.
Or should I leave all parts from factory?
My whole car is a matching # stock SWC. (yes, the Sebring silver was repainted sebring silver, due to fading and wear areas.)

Thanks
Jack
1963 SWC
1977 L-82

Mike Terry

It depends if you are going to have the car judged NCRS or not. If not having it judges it will not hurt the car or value. The only leather seat covers they had in 63 were the Tan ones. If you are going to have it judged it will hurt you on points, not sure how many points but they will take some off. Remember a couple things about Corvettes. You own it and you do not have to fix it to make someone else happy. It is your car and do what you want to make yourself happy. Do it to please yourself not others. Then drive it like it is stolen.

Rich Yanulis

I can give you a definitive answer on one part of your question.

Buy a set of reproduction armrests (made in China) and put your originals safely away on a shelf. They can always be reinstalled in five minutes.

As far as the seats go.........as Mike said, the only person you need to please is yourself

Zoomin

I would say that a set of nice leather seat covers will add more value than a ripped set of originals. At some point restoration of these cars needs to happen. You're the custodian, do what you think is best, but above all, have a great time with it.

jb_va2001

If you want leather seats, put in leather seats. If you ever wanted to put it back like it was when new, you can always put in vinyl seats.

Cheers,
JB

jimmies63

I put in leather seats from al koch. Made to look like the vinyl. Got judged, didn't loose any points. Maybe the interior crew was drinking early. In any event, those leather seats are one of the best things on the whole car.

Go leather. It's awesome.