1968 Seats Rebuild or Replace
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 424
Likes: 2
1968 Seats Rebuild or Replace
I have owned this Vette since 1976, 30yrs ! And even though it never bothered me before, the lack of head rests, whiplash restaints, is bugging me. 1968s had head rests as an opyion, I think they are the same as the ones in 1969s. I can feel a bump under the vinal in the location of the head rest. Can the head rests be added & what is involved ?? The foam is all dried up, Ecklers has these for $179.99 (Mid America for $199.99) OUCH !! My vinal isn't bad but new leather like seat covers go for $199.99 at Ecklers. This is getting pricy and I haven't gotten to a head rest conversion yet. Summit has some leather like seats for about $190, but by the dimensions given, they appear to wide (the criical point is at the hinge and most sport seats look narrower at that point). Any Ideas ??
Thanks
Thanks
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,482
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
'69 head rests can be added to '68 seats IF the '68 seat backs have the hardware. The seat backs in my '68 do not have the headrest bracketry, so I know she did not have the optional head rests. Good illustration of the option in the '68 assembly instruction manual (AIM).
For my .02, buy the upholstery you want, get new seat foam, the upholstery installation kit, and cover your originals.
For my .02, buy the upholstery you want, get new seat foam, the upholstery installation kit, and cover your originals.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 428
Likes: 1
From: West Des Moines Iowa
Originally Posted by Easy Mike
'69 head rests can be added to '68 seats IF the '68 seat backs have the hardware. The seat backs in my '68 do not have the headrest bracketry, so I know she did not have the optional head rests. Good illustration of the option in the '68 assembly instruction manual (AIM).
For my .02, buy the upholstery you want, get new seat foam, the upholstery installation kit, and cover your originals.
For my .02, buy the upholstery you want, get new seat foam, the upholstery installation kit, and cover your originals.
Easy Mikie is right. I have the optional headrests on my '68 (one of 3100 produced in 68). Very few came with the headrest option until it became standard in '69. Their is a bracket setup in the back of the seat for this headrest. I dont know where to acquire it or if it is even available. You might have to take a set out of a old used 69 seat.
Gonzo
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 8,319
Likes: 7
From: Wilmington DE, Drive it like you stole it, 68 327 4 speed coupe
well for my .02 i say it depends.
I am going to refit my 68 seats no headrests and store them. i have picked up a set of 80 seta, hav corvette america send me new leather in my color and new foam I have finished and just need a smaller steerign wheel to install em damnable 16 in wheel is sooo big. I did this becasue i drive mine on road trips and the 68 stockers are about as comfy as a slab of marble on the highway.
here ya go
So if you dont need the support for longer runs fix what ya got. once you have em apart, youll be able to see if tehe HR supports are in your frames
tim
I am going to refit my 68 seats no headrests and store them. i have picked up a set of 80 seta, hav corvette america send me new leather in my color and new foam I have finished and just need a smaller steerign wheel to install em damnable 16 in wheel is sooo big. I did this becasue i drive mine on road trips and the 68 stockers are about as comfy as a slab of marble on the highway.
here ya go
So if you dont need the support for longer runs fix what ya got. once you have em apart, youll be able to see if tehe HR supports are in your frames
tim
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 8,319
Likes: 7
From: Wilmington DE, Drive it like you stole it, 68 327 4 speed coupe
Originally Posted by jimmygmartin
Those 1980 seats look good !! Does anyone know of a CXorvette swap-meet coming up soon in the north-east.
Thanks, plus you get to keep the fold down to access the storage area and carry stuff, something to think about if you go with newer seats, plus these will go in with no mods. just bolt up the original tracks to em something else to consider with later model seats
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,028
Likes: 2
From: North NJ
I installed 82 seats in my 74 and they worked great!
Fold down is great.
I am considering selling my seats in my 68 (think they are from a 70-74). Looks the same except higher than a 68 with the shoulder belt holes. These seats were just recovered and look great. Have pics at home, PM if interested.
I looked for headrests, to fit on your 68 seats, on ebay and the internet and came up with nothin. Sorry.
PM me if interested in my seats or if you'd like pics of the 82 seats in my 74.
There is a Raceway Park car show/huge swap meet this weekend in Englishtown, NJ. Not corvette specific but more of a general automotive swap meet. I'll be there sat morning.
Otherwise I know of the Corvettes at Carslile in PA at the end of august. That is a must go!!!!! I'll be there camping out in one of the parking lots. Don't miss that show/swapmeet.
Good luck.
Fold down is great.
I am considering selling my seats in my 68 (think they are from a 70-74). Looks the same except higher than a 68 with the shoulder belt holes. These seats were just recovered and look great. Have pics at home, PM if interested.
I looked for headrests, to fit on your 68 seats, on ebay and the internet and came up with nothin. Sorry.
PM me if interested in my seats or if you'd like pics of the 82 seats in my 74.
There is a Raceway Park car show/huge swap meet this weekend in Englishtown, NJ. Not corvette specific but more of a general automotive swap meet. I'll be there sat morning.
Otherwise I know of the Corvettes at Carslile in PA at the end of august. That is a must go!!!!! I'll be there camping out in one of the parking lots. Don't miss that show/swapmeet.
Good luck.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 7,720
Likes: 12
From: Chattanooga TN
Originally Posted by jimmygmartin
Those 1980 seats look good !! Does anyone know of a CXorvette swap-meet coming up soon in the north-east.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,482
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Originally Posted by sweethence
........on road trips....the 68 stockers are about as comfy as a slab of marble on the highway.....
You got that right. The split backs are much more comfortable on a road trip. World of difference between my '68 and my '80 after sitting behind the wheel for an hour. I don't notice the difference on shorter chugs.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,428
Likes: 5
From: Japan
Dr Rebuild
Just FYI, I rebuilt the seats in my '70 about 2 years ago with foam and covers from Dr. Rebuild. $490 for everything- I had never attempted such a job before and I was amazed with the results. The kit was first quality and after I shopped all The Usual Suspects Dr Rebuild had the best price...