'81 Seats - Repair or replace?
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
From: north carolina
'81 Seats - Repair or replace?
I am seeking advice on what to do regarding the seats in my '81. Both the driver and passenger seats lean way back (perhaps that's the way they've always been since new - I don't know what the original angle would have been) and since my wife has a bad back, she cannot either drive the car or even ride as a passenger for more than 5 minutes or so. We'd like to cruise together but I need to do something about the seats first. I'd prefer to keep the original style seats but don't know whether I can get the backs somewhat more 'vertical'. I'm willing to replace any and all parts including the backs, buckets, hinges, etc. but don't want to go through that cost unless someone can tell me that I can improve things by doing so. Alternatively, I would be willing to replace the seats with something newer (preferably from a newer style Vette) if my chances of ending up with seats that would be more 'back-friendly' would be the result. I would really appreciate hearing from anyone who has taken either approach described above, and if you have replaced your seats... which seats you replaced them with and where I might get them. Thanks!
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 4,359
Likes: 57
From: Mundelein Illinois
My wife complaines about the sears also. Without see a picture of your seats, there probably the way the came from the factory. Most people that sit erect in a car seat will not like the corvette seat. I find most time I try to sit to high up and the seat can be uncomfortable. If you slide down into the seat it's fine. It take time to get used to it, but the seats are very comfortable.
Do a search on the forum, there are many that have put C5 and C4 seats in there cars. Some have put seats from imports in there cars.
Do a search on the forum, there are many that have put C5 and C4 seats in there cars. Some have put seats from imports in there cars.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 10,560
Likes: 439
From: Wellington, FL
St. Jude Donor '11 thru '25
I personally would keep the car original and have the seats redone. Al Knoch http://www.alknochinteriors.com/ does excellent work and I highly recommend them. I had my '76 done at a show in January and they look new. They will give you a nice discount if you have it done at a show (call and make a reservation if you decide to do it this way). Otherwise you can send the seats to them. As far as the seat backs, you may have some worn parts causing this assuming the flooring to which they bolt is okay. 
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
From: Quebec Quebec
When I bought my 79 vette, The seller have had fix this problem. He has taken out the 2 bolts on the back rails of seats in order to put big tire van's bolt that have about one inch high, like a big shim.
