Cloth seats
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Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 77
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From: Ireland, formerly Toronto Ontario
Cloth seats
Has anyone ever had their seats re-upholstered with cloth as opposed to leather? I find the leather cold and miserable in the Fall weather, and hot, sticky and sweaty in the summer weather. I wondered if cloth might be better in my 1980 C3. In my daily driver, the cloth is much more comfortable. Anyone ever try it with their C3? If so, would you consider it to be a success? Got any pics?
......Mike......
......Mike......
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 6,247
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From: Glen Allen, VA
Mine were reupholstered in cloth on my 79 before I bought it. They were done in the exact stock pattern. I couldn't tell you whether the previous owner found the seat covers pre made or had them custom made. I like them while my A/C is not working right, but once I get it working I intend to go back to the correct leather. I'll see if I can dig up a picture. 
Thread Starter
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Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 77
Likes: 14
From: Ireland, formerly Toronto Ontario
I like it! I wonder how much it would cost to do that to my car. I would think yours was not a cheap job. Getting it to look like the exact stock pattern would be a tedious time-consuming job I would think.
Thanks for the pic.
......Mike......
Thanks for the pic.
......Mike......
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 3,547
Likes: 12
From: Carbondale Pa.
Has anyone ever had their seats re-upholstered with cloth as opposed to leather? I find the leather cold and miserable in the Fall weather, and hot, sticky and sweaty in the summer weather. I wondered if cloth might be better in my 1980 C3. In my daily driver, the cloth is much more comfortable. Anyone ever try it with their C3? If so, would you consider it to be a success? Got any pics?
......Mike......
......Mike......
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2008
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Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
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From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Factory cloth was optional on the '80 models for most colors except black. You should be able to order new upholstery in cloth for your color. Installation for leather and cloth is essentially the same.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 77
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From: Ireland, formerly Toronto Ontario
Thanks for all your suggestions.
......Mike......
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Drifting
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,560
Likes: 4
From: Arlington texas
I had the original vinyl with cloth insert seats. No one sells them. You can take them to an upholstery shop and they can make them for about the cost that it runs to buy leather/vinyl from vendors.
Another option, that I am thinking of is buying the heating element and place it under the seat cover so that I can have leather and heat. I saw one of the vendors catalogs had one and it was cheaper than new covers if your covers are in good shape now.
Another option, that I am thinking of is buying the heating element and place it under the seat cover so that I can have leather and heat. I saw one of the vendors catalogs had one and it was cheaper than new covers if your covers are in good shape now.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 13,685
Likes: 61
Leather is hot in the summer and cold in the winter. If you wear shorts frequently, like me, it's doubly uncomfortable.
And the quality of leather used in most cars is not good. Garaged and given the best of care, it rarely lasts more than a few years. Connolly hide, as used in Jags and Rolls can be maintained like new indefinitely with Hide Food every three or four months. But the factory leather in your Honda or Chevy is actually much cheaper than the standard cloth per square foot, $2 vs. up to $7. Leather is a HUGE profit center for manufacturers and dealers at $1000 or $1500 per car.
IMO if air conditioning and Scotchgard had been made standard on cars back in, say, 1948, VINYL wouldn't have gotten a foothold in the industry except in convertibles and work trucks.
And the quality of leather used in most cars is not good. Garaged and given the best of care, it rarely lasts more than a few years. Connolly hide, as used in Jags and Rolls can be maintained like new indefinitely with Hide Food every three or four months. But the factory leather in your Honda or Chevy is actually much cheaper than the standard cloth per square foot, $2 vs. up to $7. Leather is a HUGE profit center for manufacturers and dealers at $1000 or $1500 per car.
IMO if air conditioning and Scotchgard had been made standard on cars back in, say, 1948, VINYL wouldn't have gotten a foothold in the industry except in convertibles and work trucks.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 11,891
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From: Kansas City, MO ...I'd like to go fishing and catch a fishstick. That'd be convenient. - Mitch Hedberg
I added seats from a 2001+ Celica to my car. I chose the cloth seats over the pleather versions because I don't have A/C on my car and I wasn't interested in burning myself if I leave the car out with the tops off.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 366
Likes: 1
From: Houston Texas
A previous owner had cloth seats put in my 76, the guy I bought from had pleather covers over them. Drove the first summer with the covers on before I 'discovered' the cloth underneath. The last two summers have been more enjoyable. Any good upholstry shop should be able to use your existing covers as a pattern.
Other than the eyeball factor, the cloth seats are a lot more comfortable where I live .....
Other than the eyeball factor, the cloth seats are a lot more comfortable where I live .....
