toy_collector

Ordered new foam, leather seat covers, and miscellaneous hardware to freshen up the interior of my '64 roadster. Removed the old seat covers and immediately noticed the foam in the old seats is very different from the new foam. Looking at the pics, the new foam has sharp corners versus the rounded existing. I looked at pics on the net and how the seat covers fit and it seems the rounded foam would be appropriate. But I searched a number of suppliers and it seems they're all selling the sharp cornered foam.

I worked on one of the seat backs a bit and the finished product doesn't seem to be looking right. I've done seat covers before and haven't had such an issue. Did I get the wrong foam or is it supposed to be a pita to install foam/covers on a '64? Or does the foam magically begin to contour correctly once the entire seat bottom/back is complete?

I checked the vids at corvetteamerica and they make it look pretty easy.

Anyone else done this install?

Thanks in advance!

Ken Sungela

I just put a set of covers on '63 seats. Covers and new foam from A.K. I haven't put new covers on seats in 25+ years, but they came out great. My forearms got all pumped up too.
First seat took me about 7 hrs, second about 5. Its easier to do in a warm environment since the vinyl will stretch more. The A.K. covers had the wires and clips already installed. Using the proper tool to pull the clips through the cushion is the way to go. I used a makeshift tool and had the seats on the floor to I had more leverage to compress the foam and pull on the clips. You'll need a good hog ring tool as well. Spring loaded is best.
The only issue I had with the foam was the base of the backrest. There was just too much foam, or the seat cover was too small, so I had to remove some foam to pull the cover over and hog ring it to the other side.
I too checked out the vids on corvette america which were helpful.
Maybe check the supplier to confirm you ordered/received the correct foam.

jprop

I've done seat covers for both c1 and c2. And, in my opinion, the 64s are the worst of the lot. I've never cared for AK foam so i use CA foam and AK seat covers. I used batting, purchased at a fabric store, to fill in the gaps and round out the corners. Working in the hot sun does make the covers much more pliable and easier to work with.

You just have to have more patience than normal and it'll come out alright. In couple cases I even pulled the covers off and started over again.

Good luck.

Bluestripe67

After complete stripping, disassemble and refinish (a real PIA) of the frames and the seat back latches, I paid an upolstery shop $300 to do my new covers. Over the top happy. Pro's have all the tips, tricks, and tools. Dennis

toy_collector

Thanks much for the tips. I re-watched the videos and will be giving it another go this weekend. I'll post up results (unless they're hideously poor.)

rfn026

Wow - I wouldn't even think of doing this.

I sent my C1 seats to Al Knoch. I couldn't be more pleased.

On thing to keep in mind when doing your seats. Brand new foam will not sit the same as 50-year old worn out foam. I was amazed how much difference there was - and I'm supposed to know about this stuff.

Here' my '58 interior project.





Richard Newton

toy_collector

I finally finished the job several weeks ago. Thought I didn't have any pics until I found this one on my phone. (The top pic is the new, the bottom pic is what I started with. I replaced carpet, as well.)

I opted for leather covers. I've not taken a heat gun to smooth things out so there are some wrinkles yet. Otherwise I'm satisfied with the results for what I consider to be a nice driver quality '64. After looking at the seat designs for other C2s, I believe the '64 is the biggest PITA to re-cover. The foam doesn't really match the covers so there is a lot of tweaking/pulling/prodding/cussing/etc to get them looking reasonably correct. Though I ordered a hardware kit from MAMO, I ended up reusing several clips and wires because they seemed a better fit. Wiring up the burlap was probably the least enjoyable part of this job. I suggest getting these pre-made. I received a PM advising to use dry cleaner bag to assist in inverting the cover for the backrest. Real good idea.

So new seats and new carpet makes everything else look that much more tired. Great! Projects for the winter.....

Bluestripe67

Good job! I was afraid you were going to have pictures of a body off restoration. Dennis

warrenmj

About 14 years ago, I bought new AK vinyl seat covers and foam and was going to try to do them myself. Got the old covers and foam off the first seat and 30 minutes into the install of the new ones, I stopped. As Harry Callahan ( you young guys probably won't recognize this name) once said "a man's got to know his limitations ". I took them to a shop and happily paid $200 to let an expert do them right. They still look great today.

Mike67nv

I did the seats in my '67 myself five years ago. New Al Knoch vinyl covers, foam and burlap - I really liked the "fullness" of his foam. It was a lot of work but it wasn't that bad. Take your time and just be patient, you will get a lot of satisfaction out of doing it yourself.

alexandervdr

How does the trick with the dry cleaner bag work?

Bud2

Suck it up and get into it! It's not that big of a job! I just completed my '64s. The cover was the easy part. Restoring the frame/springs/adjustment was the real work. The sharp edges of the foam sit well in the shape of the seat cover. You don't see and 'edge'.

How cleaver are the 4 springs used in the adjustment section as ball bearings? Mine had 3 of the 4 broken.

Bud.

LouieM

I've done this job twice on 67s, one vinyl and one leather from CA. Both came out fine, but for $300 I'd be glad to have a shop put on the foam and covers.

alexandervdr

I started yesterday with the seat bottom on my 64, and it turned out fine (still need to pull one back end though). My approach was to go slow. I must have watched the Corvette America video 10 times before starting. And reviewing sequences for every step taken. I put on Corvette America leather covers. They come with an instruction sheet, that strangely enough is saying different things than the video they have. The S clips, and the fastener clips are put on differently. The video calls for skipping the fastener on the middle seat spring, the instructions say to put it on (the video is for a 63 seat, would that make a difference?) . I did buy the tool to pull the fastener clips, but the tip with the slot was twisted close to breaking off after just a few pulls. So I needed to thicken and strengthen it a bit with some welding. It's been like most of the things I did on my full body off restore: frustrating along the way and very satisfying when done

Bud2

I with alexandervdr, I'm also doing a FULL restoration, including the naked birdcage. I'd feel let down if I had someone else do the covers for me. I'm having someone do the finishing touches on the body and someone else to shoot the paint. Otherwise it's just me that I blame for the stuff-ups.

The workshop is where the fun is for me.

Bud.