Vinyl or leather?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,124
Likes: 140
From: Western New York
My '72 has the comfortweave seats. They are still the originals and look like new. And they are so much cooler than leather on a hot day, and very easy maintenance. My buddy got his '76 with the leather interior. He had to replace it in 1983 because the leather was cracking and peeling. My preference is the vinyl, but it is going to be your choice in the end.
Duane
Duane
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,698
Likes: 9
From: Johnson City TN
I've had both, though not on the same seats.
Recovered my original seats in vinyl with new foam. They looked good and were okay for comfort.
I then switched to C5 seats, and recovered them in quality leather with new foam. They are definitely more comfortable, mainly due to seat design, but the material does seem to conform better. They still get hot in the sun, but not quite as hot as the vinyl. And, IMHO, they look better too.
I put a lot miles on them ... not quite enough to speak about longevity, but enough to know I won't be going back to vinyl.
Recovered my original seats in vinyl with new foam. They looked good and were okay for comfort.
I then switched to C5 seats, and recovered them in quality leather with new foam. They are definitely more comfortable, mainly due to seat design, but the material does seem to conform better. They still get hot in the sun, but not quite as hot as the vinyl. And, IMHO, they look better too.
I put a lot miles on them ... not quite enough to speak about longevity, but enough to know I won't be going back to vinyl.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 12,142
Likes: 54
From: Taylor Michigan
Leather, the only way..
Have you ever seen a Harley rider with a plastic jacket?...theres no beating leather in any Vette or even Camaros ..Use Lemon Pledge caring for the leathers...
Leather is a class act and not a run of the mill interior......Original may not be, and not correct...but subjectively its my choice....
also riding the Harley
Leather is a class act and not a run of the mill interior......Original may not be, and not correct...but subjectively its my choice....
also riding the Harley
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 468
Likes: 20
From: Warrenton VA
Indeed. The thought process for us is, what box would you check off if you were sitting in the showroom buying the car new. As simple as it is to change the seats back to what the car was born with, I really don't have a problem changing the material. The seats themselves will remain "factory."
So what would you choose if you had vinyl and were ready for replacement? Great reading all of the different opinions and how they arrived at the decision.
So what would you choose if you had vinyl and were ready for replacement? Great reading all of the different opinions and how they arrived at the decision.
Pro
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 730
Likes: 37
From: Catoosa Okla
I started the seat project wanting C-5 seat in my C3. Due to premium cost for the C5 seats, and the cost of having to cover them in the Medium Saddle, I ended up buying a 100 set of mismatched seats from a C4. After spending some time researching and clicking buttons on the calculator, I chose vinyl, in what is called "leather like". The wear is great, easy to care for, ect. And about half the price through Corvette America. The C4 seat foam was in good shape so I just ordered the covers and the installation kit. When they arrived, I put one seat together and stopped dead in my tracks. Here is why.
[IMG]
[/IMG]
They fit LOOSE! I ended up buying new seat foam (another 250 bucks) and the fit was like day and night. That's the lesson. Whatever you choose, don't skimp in the seat foam dept. Good luck!
[IMG]
[/IMG]
[IMG]
[/IMG]They fit LOOSE! I ended up buying new seat foam (another 250 bucks) and the fit was like day and night. That's the lesson. Whatever you choose, don't skimp in the seat foam dept. Good luck!
[IMG]
[/IMG]
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Pro
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 557
Likes: 3
From: El Sobrante CA
Question for the experts:
It's my impression (probably wrong) that even the leather equipped Corvettes were a combination of leather and vinyl. The back and 'butt' panels were leather, and the side bolsters - vinyl. Or, maybe it's vice versa.
Is there any truth to that? Or, was it year-dependent? My '76 has what looks to be original leather seats, but there's apparently some vinyl too. Bubba? Factory? Replaced? I don't know.
It's my impression (probably wrong) that even the leather equipped Corvettes were a combination of leather and vinyl. The back and 'butt' panels were leather, and the side bolsters - vinyl. Or, maybe it's vice versa.
Is there any truth to that? Or, was it year-dependent? My '76 has what looks to be original leather seats, but there's apparently some vinyl too. Bubba? Factory? Replaced? I don't know.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 14,112
Likes: 28
From: Florida
Question for the experts:
It's my impression (probably wrong) that even the leather equipped Corvettes were a combination of leather and vinyl. The back and 'butt' panels were leather, and the side bolsters - vinyl. Or, maybe it's vice versa.
Is there any truth to that? Or, was it year-dependent? My '76 has what looks to be original leather seats, but there's apparently some vinyl too. Bubba? Factory? Replaced? I don't know.
It's my impression (probably wrong) that even the leather equipped Corvettes were a combination of leather and vinyl. The back and 'butt' panels were leather, and the side bolsters - vinyl. Or, maybe it's vice versa.
Is there any truth to that? Or, was it year-dependent? My '76 has what looks to be original leather seats, but there's apparently some vinyl too. Bubba? Factory? Replaced? I don't know.
Pretty much all cars are leather seating only, except for very high end cars. It will crack before the leather and over time you will see a color difference.
If you're really into leather, you can have 100% leather, but it is substantially more money.
Also, "Full grain" instead of "Top grain", again higher quality, but much pricier. Most marketing incorrectly leads you to believe top grain is the best.
There are some vinyls that are almost impossible to tell from actual leather. Either have to look at the back side or smell it.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,698
Likes: 9
From: Johnson City TN
Lots (probably most) aftermarket covers are made like this as well. The "touch" surfaces on mine are 100% leather, but the sides and back are vinyl.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 468
Likes: 20
From: Warrenton VA
Leaning towards one over the other for sure. However, it's nice to hear what everyone else would choose and why. It's really more of the reason I started this thread over getting help with the choice. The many stances for why someone would chose one over the other are interesting. The pictures that people have posted of their interiors are always good.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 468
Likes: 20
From: Warrenton VA
Racer
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 315
Likes: 0
From: Washington
I went with vinyl in my black '69. It was born with vinyl and I have kept everything as original as possible. Leather is beautiful and a great material for seats. My Dodge Ram 3500 has leather and my wife's new Subaru Outback has leather but my baby stays original. I am happy with the decision.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 468
Likes: 20
From: Warrenton VA
I went with vinyl in my black '69. It was born with vinyl and I have kept everything as original as possible. Leather is beautiful and a great material for seats. My Dodge Ram 3500 has leather and my wife's new Subaru Outback has leather but my baby stays original. I am happy with the decision.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 468
Likes: 20
From: Warrenton VA
Makes sense.