Sky65

I have white leather seats in the 65. Only been in the car a few years and they look like crap. Dirty and cracked. I drive the car every day, everywhere. It truly is a daily driver and I do some long trips as well. I will admit I have not been diligent with leather treatment and white is probably the worst color for a driver. I am considering a color change and considering going to vinyl for durability. Looking for opinions from people with experience with both interiors. I like leather but if it going to look bad then maybe I'll go to vinyl. Originality is of no consequence to me.

Thanks
Tom

LouieM

White vinyl seats would get dirty just as fast as leather ones. In my experience leather is more durable. Since you use your car so much, maybe get new leather covers and then simply spray dye the dash and doors.

65 vette dude

I still have the original vinyl seats in my 65 with 108k miles, and they look terrific, with no cracks or creases. My 2001 Acura has 38k miles, and the leather looks like crap. The main trouble with leather is it stretch's, and doesn't stretch back very well, which leads to creases. Vinyl has much more elastic properties, is very durable, and easier to clean.

Frankie the Fink

Original red vinyl in my '63 - look like new still!

ifitgoesfast

Leather is the most responsive (and natural) to treatment. Why not keep it? There are several products to make it look new again.

The best summer driving seats are from the Ford GT40

Sky65

Thanks for the input.

That's what I'm thinking. New seat covers and dye the rest of the stuff.

I was thinking vinyl would be more durable than leather in an daily driver. The leather covers made by the vendors do not seem to be of the quality of the leather in other high line cars. Maybe it is also the seat foam that relaxes and allow the creasing.

Red is the color I am considering changing to.

I have cleaned the seats so much the dye is coming off! Now the seats are cracked, dirty and areas of sorta grey where the dye is thin.

But there is something about leather seats. An emotional thing I guess. Leather equates to quality.


Tom

BADBIRDCAGE

I vote leather.

Vinyl reminds me of the 1/4 inch thick diamond pleat Fingerhut clear plastic seat covers my dad put on every new car he bought.

In the Winter you slid onto the seat, reached for the radio **** and the blue spark shot out five inches to your fingers.

In the Summer you sat on the seats in shorts and when you got up your outer layer of skin remained atached to the seat cover like the skin on a fried chicken.

Frankie the Fink

Now that's funny and sooooo true!

bcwaller

As a driver, vinyl might be better. I've got a driver '66 convertible with vinyl seats that are at least 30 years old, and maybe 40. Maybe older. They look the same today as when I bought the car 25 years ago.

That said, I carry a towel in the car to cover the seats so I don't burn my legs when I get into the car after it has been sitting in the sun for a while.

DansYellow66

Vinyl for a convertible will probably be more durable in the long run. In a coupe either one should give good service with reasonable care. My 2 cents which isn't worth much.

pop23235

Depends on the quality of the leather and the quality of the vinyl.

Sky65

Clear vinyl over leather. Now I hadn't thought of that!

Tom

Gary's '66

at least concerning vinyl, as I've never had leather. My new (last year) AK covers are made of a VERY durable material. Even the upholsterer was quite impressed and showed me the differences between what I brought him compared to the materials other customers had used.

While leather has it's own distinctive smell and, of course a softer feel, I would think a good quality vinyl would hold up better, last longer and be easier to keep clean and they don't start cracking as I see in most leather upholstery.

Gary

Shultzie

If I had it to do all over again, I would go with leather. Vinyl is much cheaper though.

BADBIRDCAGE

Tom: leather is not only more elegant it is cooler in the Summer and warmer in the Winter than vinyl.

While you have the seats apart for recover install seat heaters. I have a brand new pair of heaters sitting here like Jeff used in 1CoolC2.

Loren Smith

What about a third option - Ultra Leather?

Jud Chapin

I've been told by more that one car upholsterer that generally vinyl will out last leather by far. However, there are various grades of leather but I doubt that our Vettes had/have the best available. The really good stuff you'll find in MB's, Lexus's and such. My BIL has a '95 MB with close to 300K on the odometer and the seats look new. I asked him how he keeps them so nice and he said he's never really done anything to them.

LouieM

Great idea. While recovering the seats it's simple to add seat heaters from eBay. I've done this to several Sting Rays and even here in Calif it's a blessing. Here's a pic of my heater switch on the driver's side:

Gary's '66

Man, some of you guys must be gettin' pretty old if you need seat heaters in a C2 for Gods sake! Do you also wear a shawl and blanket when sittin' in your rockers at home too.

Gary

GTOguy

Leather is more elegant but less durable. Have original red vinyl upholstery in my '61 and it's still nice. Have original blue vinyl in my '65 GTO and it's still nice. Have reproduction Legendary white vinyl in my '67 GTO that's 23 years old and looks like brand new still. Easy to clean. Have original leather in my '94 4Runner, and it's looked shabby and has been worn through for the past 12 years. It's also been my experience that leather really doesn't breathe any better than vinyl....cloth does.