Aftermarket Seats
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 1,740
Likes: 37
From: Stockton Ca
Aftermarket Seats
Like many on this forum, I would like to upgrade the seats on my 74. The seats I have are from a 80-81 I believe. These are far better than stock 74 seats but not enough. I know Ganey was looking for something in the aftermarket, did you find anything? Zwede has very nice C5 seats that look great but how much time/money? I don't have a cat so the floorboards are flater than some. What are my options? Putting new seats on the old rails sounds weak, but I haven't seen a better idea yet! W/30,000 members, someone should have figured out something by now. BTW racing buckets are not acceptable for the Grand Touring concept I have in mind. If the seats are not comfortable, my woman won't ride w/me! HELP.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 11,322
Likes: 1
From: Living in the Hartland
Re: Aftermarket Seats (Taijutsu)
Seems like I have seen some post with people stating they had Feiro seats, but I could be wrong. My father had one of the first ones made and the seats were comfortable plus had speakers in the head rests which is kinda :cool: . Of course I don't think they ever came in leather which is probably what you are looking for.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 803
Likes: 0
From: South San Francisco CA
Re: Aftermarket Seats (Taijutsu)
You can use the rails that come with the seats and drill new holes in those rails so they fit. Make a paper template of your floorboard and punch out where the holes are and then transfer the position of the holes to the new seats. That's what I did on my '69 and it worked out great. No matter what, I would use the existing mounting holes that are already in the car.
Pro
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 531
Likes: 0
Re: Aftermarket Seats (Taijutsu)
I have Fiero seats in mine. Used the Fiero track, but the vette pads. Had to drill out rivets and weld back together, but looks fine. Painted the tracks & pads med saddle to match. There are leather covers available, as well as new cloth. http://www.mrmikes.com They don't fold forward as far as the vette seats, but more than enough to get to the cargo area with t-tops and such. 
They are firm and pretty comfortable. It'd be nice if they had a little more side bolster, but they look right in the car. I think they might set just a little higher at the seat than stock seats. Shoulder harnesses don't work real well with them but stock shoulder belt would be fine.
They are firm and pretty comfortable. It'd be nice if they had a little more side bolster, but they look right in the car. I think they might set just a little higher at the seat than stock seats. Shoulder harnesses don't work real well with them but stock shoulder belt would be fine.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 1,207
Likes: 1
From: Atascadero CA
Re: Aftermarket Seats (Taijutsu)
I have recently installed a pair of Corbeau A4's with Corbeau seat rails. I think they look great, but they take some getting used to. I called Corbeau before purchasing, and they said that they sit a higher (they certainly do), plus they are very narrow. I'm 5' 8", and 160lb. and they are very snug. Some people have found them to be uncomfortable, but I like them. I had a small installation problem, since I had to widen the holes on the seat base, so that they would line up with the floorpan bolt holes. Since the seats are higher, the steering wheel blocks the top of the speedo/tach, but that's not a big problem for me, although I'm considering a tilt/tele column. Also, since they are so narrow, my son's booster seat won't fit properly. Otherwise, I like them. Here are some pictures.....check them out.
http://temp.corvetteforum.net/c3/mar.../newseats1.jpg
http://temp.corvetteforum.net/c3/mar.../newseats2.jpg
http://temp.corvetteforum.net/c3/mar.../newseats3.jpg
Someone on the forum was able to install C5 seats in a C3, and they looked very :cool: !! You might try searching the archives, too. This seems to be a popular topic for discussion.
http://temp.corvetteforum.net/c3/mar.../newseats1.jpg
http://temp.corvetteforum.net/c3/mar.../newseats2.jpg
http://temp.corvetteforum.net/c3/mar.../newseats3.jpg
Someone on the forum was able to install C5 seats in a C3, and they looked very :cool: !! You might try searching the archives, too. This seems to be a popular topic for discussion.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,758
Likes: 4
From: Medford, Or
Re: Aftermarket Seats (Mark70)
Mark70- Your shark is awesome looking. You did an excellent job! Do you have any more pictures of your vette? I would love having Corbeau in my Ray, but I'm to tall and I would never get my helmet on.
Dan
[Modified by vettedan, 1:45 AM 5/5/2002]
Dan
[Modified by vettedan, 1:45 AM 5/5/2002]
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Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 3,556
Likes: 0
From: Seattle WA
Re: Aftermarket Seats (Racer16k)
i dont know, i was thinking that Mark70s vette has a more "I will eat your soul" look to it. i think all c2,c3, ans c5 vettes have the "i will kick you butt" look.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 1,207
Likes: 1
From: Atascadero CA
Re: Aftermarket Seats (vettedan)
Thanks for the kudos guys!
vettedan: Do you autocross your car? I just had Guldstrand install a new suspension in my car, and I'm looking forward to some track time to find the limits! Here is another pic of my car that shows the seats, and wheels pretty well:
http://temp.corvetteforum.net/c3/mar...e/sideview.jpg
racer16k: When the seats are pushed back into the farthest rearward position, the top of the headrest is just below the sun visor. The side bolsters hit the seat bottom bolsters, and limit how far the seat tilts forward. It's a little more difficult to access the back storage area when I have the top up, but I can still get stuff in and out.
79ProwlerOrange: I know this is off the subject, but I'm trying to create a "no-nonsense" look to the car. I'm really happy with the results so far, but I still have lots of work left. Seems like C3's are never ending projects......you always find other things you'd like to do.
vettedan: Do you autocross your car? I just had Guldstrand install a new suspension in my car, and I'm looking forward to some track time to find the limits! Here is another pic of my car that shows the seats, and wheels pretty well:
http://temp.corvetteforum.net/c3/mar...e/sideview.jpg
racer16k: When the seats are pushed back into the farthest rearward position, the top of the headrest is just below the sun visor. The side bolsters hit the seat bottom bolsters, and limit how far the seat tilts forward. It's a little more difficult to access the back storage area when I have the top up, but I can still get stuff in and out.
79ProwlerOrange: I know this is off the subject, but I'm trying to create a "no-nonsense" look to the car. I'm really happy with the results so far, but I still have lots of work left. Seems like C3's are never ending projects......you always find other things you'd like to do.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 1,740
Likes: 37
From: Stockton Ca
Re: Aftermarket Seats (Mark70)
How much $?
How comfortable are they?
Using your seat's demensions, is there room for larger "wider" seat?
Are you happy w/results, would you do anything differnt?
What's next for your car?
How comfortable are they?
Using your seat's demensions, is there room for larger "wider" seat?
Are you happy w/results, would you do anything differnt?
What's next for your car?
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 182,997
Likes: 88
From: Lakeland, FL
Cruise-In IV-V-VI-VII-VIII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '03, '06, '17
Re: Aftermarket Seats (Mark70)
>>http://temp.corvetteforum.net/c3/mark70//Photos/MyVette/newseats1.jpg
>>http://temp.corvetteforum.net/c3/mark70//Photos/MyVette/newseats2.jpg
>>http://temp.corvetteforum.net/c3/mark70//Photos/MyVette/newseats3.jpg
wow!!! Those seats look great!!!!
:cheers:
Olivier
>>http://temp.corvetteforum.net/c3/mark70//Photos/MyVette/newseats2.jpg
>>http://temp.corvetteforum.net/c3/mark70//Photos/MyVette/newseats3.jpg
wow!!! Those seats look great!!!!
:cheers:
Olivier
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 1,207
Likes: 1
From: Atascadero CA
Re: Aftermarket Seats (Taijutsu)
How much $?
How comfortable are they?
Using your seat's demensions, is there room for larger "wider" seat?
Are you happy w/results, would you do anything differnt?
What's next for your car?
How comfortable are they?
Using your seat's demensions, is there room for larger "wider" seat?
Are you happy w/results, would you do anything differnt?
What's next for your car?
http://autotoystore.com/corbeau_a4_seats.html
They had very good service, and discounted pricing. Just add the seats to your shopping basket to see the price.
2. I think the seats are comfortable, and they really hold you in place under hard cornering. But others that have tried the seats found them uncomfortable because the side bolsters are narrow. You should really try them at a local dealer before buying.
3. I'm sure the side bolsters could be wider without hitting the door panels or console. The shoulder support wings actually touch the inner door panel when the seats are pushed fully back (not a problem for me since I have short legs :D )
4. I'm happy with the results considering the cost/benefit. I could have spent more on seats that may have fit better, but the Corbeau's were reasonably priced, look good, and offer good comfort/support.
5. I'd like to finish restoring the interior (carpet, gauges, radio, etc.), and replace the dash and engine wiring. I'd also like to get some JCL baffles for my Hooker sidepipes. Then it I'd probably look at some engine mods.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,758
Likes: 4
From: Medford, Or
Re: Aftermarket Seats (Mark70)
Quote "vettedan: Do you autocross your car? I just had Guldstrand install a new suspension in my car, and I'm looking forward to some track time to find the limits!"Quote,
Mark70- :yesnod: I love autocrossing. I'm getting away from drag racing; something about going in a straight line no longer appeals to me. Sound like you have a trick suspension installed. I'm running a VetteBrakes front mono leaf suspension in my ray. I love it. I'm considering running a Kirkey aluminum seat for autocrossing. It will sit low enough to get a helmet on. Otherwise I will have to modify my floor. :smash: :smash: BTW, My C3 fire extinguisher kit would add a racy touch to you shark and serves a purpose. Check it out at http://www.vetteworksonline.com
Dan
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 803
Likes: 0
From: South San Francisco CA
Re: Aftermarket Seats (xfactor974)
I've got a set of later model Corvette seats that I purchased from Corvette Clinic in San Jose, CA for $250. They were "a bit" used with dark blue leather but the rails, frames and buns were all OK. I reupholstered them myself in three different grains of black leather and installed them using the rails they came with with my original bolt pattern using the template method I described above.
Had I known about the the Anniversary Edition seats with the more pronounced side bolsters, I would have asked about them and tried to find a set. But, in a future project, I will remove my seats, add some foam myself so the side bolsters are the way I want them and re-upholster where necessary.
[Modified by fontking1a, 3:31 PM 5/6/2002]
Had I known about the the Anniversary Edition seats with the more pronounced side bolsters, I would have asked about them and tried to find a set. But, in a future project, I will remove my seats, add some foam myself so the side bolsters are the way I want them and re-upholster where necessary.
[Modified by fontking1a, 3:31 PM 5/6/2002]
