I decided to get the GTS II Corbeau seats to replace the stock seats in my 72. I got them from Speed Direct as a kit with the brackets. Finally got the last of the parts last night. Come to find out the brackets simply will not fit. The front bracket is fine but the rear is a simple straight bar with a couple of holes. This bracket interfers with the retractable seat belt cover under the seat. What's more, the holes won't line up. They appear to be off by a good 1/2". Even if they did align you would need an inch or more of washers to raise the bracket high enough not to interfer with the seat belt!

Has anyone else put these seats in a 72? I am hopeful that they simply sent the wrong brackets. I put a call int their tech support line. I'll post their reply when I get it.

Any feedback would be appreciated.

 

I put those in my 79, yes the brackets are a PITA. I had to bend them a little and even take a pry bar against the seat to get the bolt started. try putting one corner in then the diagonal one, then pry the seat over for the other one.

 

Thanks for the input motorpsycho. Unfortunately the brackets couldn't simply be bent a little for mine. The guys at speed direct were good about it though. After looking at the pics I sent they are going to make up some new brackets for me. I should have them in a week or so! Suspect they'll still be a PITA but maybe only a small one.

 

Hows the clearance look between the seat and the side of the interior near the door? Where did you purchase the seats from? Hope you'll be able to post some pics when your done

 

Just a quick update. The guys at speed direct are redesigning the brackets for the '72 based onthe pics I sent them. I am hoping to have the new brackets soon and will let you know how things go and will include some pics.

 

Very cool, thanks for the update

 

I finally got the replacement brackets from speed direct! Of course they didn't fit! After telling them what was needed, including pictures, they sent me a set of 69-70 brackets (as labeled) that were easily 2-3 inches too short!

With some flat stock and some cutting and drilling I managed to work up an extension that allowed me to install the seats. The result? There is no way in hell I can reasonably or safely fit in these seats. I am just shy of 6' and can reasonably be described as a stick or bean pole. Yet I found I could not sit up in the seat. I had the seat forward and laid back to the point that I felt I had to stretch for the steering wheel. Any small bump in the road was enough to send my head into the roof!

After this I simply took the seats out and put the stock ones back in. I am going to try and return these seats to Speed Direct. The seats are comfortable and certainly support the body better than the stock ones. But having to slouch in the seat just places all that nice support in all the wrong places.

I would STRONGLY recommend no one over 5' 6" or ~160 pds buy these seats. At least for the 72. Without some extensive modification of either the seats or the floor of the vette, they are simply useless. I also noted places of interference with the head rest when leaning the seat forward and the seat adjustment lever. For $900 I expect a much better fit and performance than what I got.

I think my only real option now is to get someone to build a set of custom modern seats or simply restore my stock ones.

 

hey newbe65, check out corvettefaq.com...lots of articles on fitting c4 & c5 seats into a c3...hope it helps!

 

Thanks Don. I'll check it out. First I think I'll give the seats a rest for a while. My frustration level was pretty high with this adventure!

 

Sorry tha your havng problems, but I have just put Corbeau A4's in mine, with the stock Corbeau brackets and I like the way they fit. I am 6', 210lbs and have no trouble fitting in (yeah it took a little time to get the bracket bolts in, but nothing too bad).

I got mine for$650 delivered (thats the seats) and you can pick up the brackets at any Corbeau dealer.

Nick