lt1user

Debate: Should I restore the originals ones ( new foam and covers) or go to a newer seat like 1976 or so? Realize that both should be done over. To save money I will be restoring them myself. What is your advice on covers? exp. vinyl, or leather? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Nowhere Man

stay with stock seats type of cover is personal choice

grumpy73

My 73 came with later model seats and I ended up rebuilding my stock seats. The newer ones didn't look or sit right. Just my opinion.

M A Fry

If you have a set of the later model seats, install them and try them out and see if you like them, then make your decision based on the trial.

The13Bats

To me or my butt 68 to 77 seats all feel the same you sit on not in them,
In 80 or for the 78 pace car or whenever gm did the so called clam shell seats i love them,
My 69 came with seats from an 81 recoved in black velor, i was happy joy joy

c3_dk

Welcome :- )
Keep the 72 seat, just restore them.

Nicky B

Restore.

AllC34Me

This is a great question and having a 72 myself I struggled through this decision as well.
First let me welcome you to the Corvette Forum and your first post. I hope you find it a rewarding addition (both car and membership) and this community has many who will help you with your questions.

Secondly, the seats. We all hate to hear "it depends" but nobody asked so I will to open this discussion up a bit for you. It depends on great many factors and honestly only you know which pertain to you, but let me list a few options.
1) If the car is all original then at minimum you will want to keep the seats to keep the car original for the day, should it come, you want to sell it.
2) If the car is not all original and you are looking purely for comfort then you have choices all through the C-3, C-4, C-5 and C-6 seats available today. There are many threads here on the forum that speak to using alternate generation seats in the C-3’s and you can find a lot of them by using the search engine by topic.
3) Fiero and other GM and non GM seats have been used on the C-3 Corvette family. I am covering and installing a pair of Fiero GT Seats from a 1986 Fiero GT into my road race replica, as an example. My point is you have options if you want them.
4) I have owned three 1977’s and I believe that they are more comfortable than the 72 stock seats but that could be due to wear as well. But I offer a caution when you replace the covers (leather, leather like, or vinyl) you will want to add new foam as well and that will change the ride height of your seats. It also changes the stiffness of the seats but over time that will break down again.
5) For covering the seats I have used Willcox Corvette. They are my “Go To” source for seat covers and seat covering. Corvette America covers seats and so does Al Knoch. You can learn more about them again doing a search here on the CF. Personal preference only here, I have also used local shops with limited success. There are also videos on U-Tube which can be helpful with the task and again Willcox Corvette has service guides on their website to assist with this and many other technical details.
Sorry for the long post but I hope it helps.
Welcome to the Corvette Forum.
David Howard
AllVettes4Me

lt1user

Thank you Dave, I had seat cover and rebuild conversations with a business in Allentown, he said "they can call it anything they went" but vinyl would be his preference. I was leaning toward leather before we talked, now I don't know. I brought my vette up near your way, a guy in Freemansburg. Thanks for your the input.

AllC34Me

Vinyl is easier to work with and stretch, true, I agree on that front.
Sabatini Coach Works in Nazareth might be an option for you as well. I had leather seats covered there, cost me $300 for them to do it and saved me a bunch of time. Just a thought.
Let me know if I can help you sort anything out on the Corvette.
Best regards,
David

c3_dk

But we need to see some pictures of your car lt1user :- )

lt1user

Hey David, Thanks for the tips will use them. Can I ask about how long ago you had your seats done? And was that $300. each or both, with or without materials? I just might consider this option. Much appreciated..
Regards, Paul

AllC34Me

I bought the seat covers from Willcox and the foam as well. I also bought the do-it-yourself kit they sell with the hog rings, etc. $300 was a total for both seats. About six years ago so prices for sure would be higher now but quotes are free.
Good luck.
David

Griff2002

I always liked the look of the stock seats. I find them comfortable but I've heard others complain they are not.

72 Project

Congrats on your first post. I have a set of a 72 also and am not fond of the stock seats. I have a set of 81 seats that I will be using. I plan to put the 72 seat tracks on the bottom of the clam shells. I have done this before and liked it very much.

Jim

Alan 71

Hi Paul,
It really quite possible to do the seat cover replacement yourself.
It's certainly not easy or quick, but still very do-able.
There are some videos around that are helpful in learning the procedure.
I found it to be a good idea to work on one seat at a time so you have one of the originals to refer to as you do the first one.
Maybe?
Regards,
Alan

As with many things on my car this was my first attempt.
These covers were purchased from Al Knock.

stingraymyway

Congratulations on the new ride. Let your back be the judge. No back problems and the drives aren't days long, restore the old ones. Back problems that won't let you ride for more than an hour or two, replace them. A lot of people I know have put the multi adjustable C5 seats in the C3's and have made a world of difference.

F4Gary

Is there really any difference between the 68-78 seats other than which way the seams go?

Norm07

Welcome to the Forums...

I am doing my 71 seats myself. Had to straighten the rear lower portion and re-Weld a couple broken spots on the Frame. In a way I was glad to see the damage as it gave me the opportunity to fabricate a support (can also be purchased from one of our vendors) and weld that on. Cheap upgrade at about $7 in material and will improve a weakness in that part of the seat. I am doing new seat foam but I am going to have to replace one lower bottom.




Cheers

Backstop

I'd restore the original seats unless you're going to try racing the car or something. If you're going to do anything with corners you will probably want more lateral support.

I re-covered my seats, should have got new foam too but didn't.

It's expensive to get someone to do it for you, but also to do it yourself is very fiddly and time consuming. If I were to do it again I'd break the job up and spread it out over a few weekends rather than try to knock it all out on a Saturday like I did. You have to be super careful when you cut them to fit, there's no going back if you hurry and cut wrong. Also I thought my hand was going to fall off after doing so many little hog rings.

Anyway, it's expensive because it's kind of an art and they do it right the first time. But it's do-able if you're patient and careful.