Cloth interior?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 2,096
Likes: 15
Cloth interior?
Just curious but every now and then I run across pictures of 80-82s with cloth interior. I've never seen one in person so does that make them rare? And if you needed replacements where would you obtain such material. I never see cloth interior listed with the vendors.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 849
Likes: 28
From: Baytown Texas
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
My 82 had cloth interior . i had never seen it either and when i looked for new seats , all i found was leather so i thought it had been re-done ....long story short , i got my build sheet , it was original seats and now i have leather, lol....... and when ive looked up the numbers , it doesnt have any exact number listed for cloth seats .
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 2,096
Likes: 15
I myself would prefer the cloth, I think it wears better. After awhile when leather starts cracking it no longer looks good plus it's hot as heck in the summer. Mine still looks great but I condition it all the time or whenever I wash the car.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,481
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Cloth was a buyer's choice for 80-82. The Corvette Blackbook lists some of the cloth interior numbers. I would not say cloth interior cars are rare, but leather was standard and most folks went with leather.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 2,096
Likes: 15
Hmmm, that's interesting. Thanks Mike. Not saying I would but would that hurt the value if I switched it to cloth?
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,481
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 12,624
Likes: 3,097
From: Shamong, NJ
Cloth and leather were an "either or", no cost option, for all 77-82 Corvettes.
I don't think cloth seats really affect a car's value either way, unless the cloth is in bad shape and needs to be replaced. The problem is that NONE of the original patterned cloth, is available anymore. Al Knoch did have some pieces of original cloth, but not much, and I don't know that they still do. I wouldn't buy a car needing to have it's cloth seats redone, without first checking to see if anyone had the correct cloth needed to redo the seats.
I'm having a senior moment right now! I do know that Bowling Green 81 & 82 trim tags, didn't differentiate between cloth and leather, but I can't recall about 77-81 St. Louis tags right now. All Bowling Green trim tags have a 2 digit code for the interior color, followed by an "I". The only way to tell if a Bowling Green car was originally leather or cloth, is from a build sheet or window sticker.
I don't think cloth seats really affect a car's value either way, unless the cloth is in bad shape and needs to be replaced. The problem is that NONE of the original patterned cloth, is available anymore. Al Knoch did have some pieces of original cloth, but not much, and I don't know that they still do. I wouldn't buy a car needing to have it's cloth seats redone, without first checking to see if anyone had the correct cloth needed to redo the seats.
I'm having a senior moment right now! I do know that Bowling Green 81 & 82 trim tags, didn't differentiate between cloth and leather, but I can't recall about 77-81 St. Louis tags right now. All Bowling Green trim tags have a 2 digit code for the interior color, followed by an "I". The only way to tell if a Bowling Green car was originally leather or cloth, is from a build sheet or window sticker.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 3,453
Likes: 67
From: Midland Ontario
NCM Sinkhole Donor
The cloth interiors on the St Louis cars had a 'C' suffix after the two digit code. Mine is one of only 517 out of 53,000 built.
These guys can get you material to replace your original cloth
http://originalauto.com/
These guys can get you material to replace your original cloth
http://originalauto.com/
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 1,045
Likes: 226
From: Cape Neddick Maine
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
here is a picture of my 76 with 80 seats installed the cloth is great in the summer you don't stick to them
Attachment 47865176
Attachment 47865177
Attachment 47865176
Attachment 47865177
Last edited by jkippin; Dec 21, 2015 at 11:33 AM.
Pro
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 530
Likes: 10
My 1980 came with naugahyde side bolsters and cloth centers on the seat covers. The original seats were ratty as hell so I bought some off eBay... they were also cloth... not in a matching color. I'm living with blue seats in my doeskin interior for now until I can afford a set of leather seat covers and have time to pull the seats back out and paint the clam shells beige and replace the carpet on the backs with tan carpet...
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 1,206
Likes: 365
From: The Motor City
One of The Best Decisions
So, I went through this decision process last year. My cloth `82 seats were in great shape but getting faded (see attached comparison); and while it would cost more than leather seat covers to restore the original cloth, my wife prefers the cloth for the above given reasons (so did I), and happy wife, happy life. We have leather seats in our other vehicles and cloth in the C3 is remarkably comfortable for even the longest drives. It took awhile but I hunted down a bolt of the actual, original 1982 interior fabric (SMS Automotive Fabrics, Oregon) and I had them send it directly to Al Knoch who sewed it, added new foam and, the correct emblems just because. I could not be happier and look forward to installing them in the spring, after I install the new carpet. Btw, while I was at it, I re-dyed and clear-coated the seat backs - SEM dye colored by a painter supply shop matched to the little trim piece below the steering wheel. And, I also painted and lubed the seat tracks.
Hope this helps others as I put a lot of time/effort into it and thought I'd share.
Dave
Hope this helps others as I put a lot of time/effort into it and thought I'd share.
Dave
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 1,206
Likes: 365
From: The Motor City
Funny that you said that - I put them on wooden blocks and my wife and I watched the Suprtbowl in them. I Scotchguarded (and UV protected) the seats so, bring on the refreshments! Spring willbe here soon. I hope.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 5,339
Likes: 546
From: Central Texas
My '81 has a cloth interior. Actually I thought someone had replaced the seat covers. I had never seen one with cloth. Interesting information. I have a St. Louis car with a black interior by the way.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 2,096
Likes: 15
So, I went through this decision process last year. My cloth `82 seats were in great shape but getting faded (see attached comparison); and while it would cost more than leather seat covers to restore the original cloth, my wife prefers the cloth for the above given reasons (so did I), and happy wife, happy life. We have leather seats in our other vehicles and cloth in the C3 is remarkably comfortable for even the longest drives. It took awhile but I hunted down a bolt of the actual, original 1982 interior fabric (SMS Automotive Fabrics, Oregon) and I had them send it directly to Al Knoch who sewed it, added new foam and, the correct emblems just because. I could not be happier and look forward to installing them in the spring, after I install the new carpet. Btw, while I was at it, I re-dyed and clear-coated the seat backs - SEM dye colored by a painter supply shop matched to the little trim piece below the steering wheel. And, I also painted and lubed the seat tracks.
Hope this helps others as I put a lot of time/effort into it and thought I'd share.
Dave
Hope this helps others as I put a lot of time/effort into it and thought I'd share.
Dave
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 1,206
Likes: 365
From: The Motor City
1980-82 Corvettes with cloth interiors
Dave those look fabulous! My car did originally come with leather but the original owner had then replaced due to wear and what not but he replaced them with leather like. They look great but I have a feeling they won't wear as nice as cloth. My interior is 82 red and haven't seen any red cloth yet but still looking. Thanks for the pictures.
You will see the red cloth equipped 80-82's come up for sale from time to time. Leather is more sporty, smells good and looks terrific including the character-making cracks (until it finally perforates that lower left side bolster which looks nasty). Cloth - which was a no-cost option same as leather - is more comfortable throughout the seasons, wears unusually well, softer for longer trips, and better grips you in the seat when driving frisky around corners.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 5,738
Likes: 644
From: Lincoln, CA
I love cloth seats. When I ordered the covers for my Fiero seats I used cloth in the middle and fake leather on the bolsters for wear.
Nice on hot or cold days. I hate having my back wet after an hour.
Nice on hot or cold days. I hate having my back wet after an hour.
