78-82 seat question
Thread Starter
Limping across the line
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 5,299
Likes: 109
From: Peoria Az
78-82 seat question
I'm about ready to undertake the task of redoing a set of seats for a 80. Is there a way to tell if a seat had 4" or 2" bolsters originally?
Which is more comfortable or is it just driver preference?
I always like stuff from Al Knoch but this job needs to be a bit more economy minded.
Which is more comfortable or is it just driver preference?
I always like stuff from Al Knoch but this job needs to be a bit more economy minded.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 337
Likes: 6
St. Jude Donor '16
I have Al Knoch seat inserts in my '81...I requested 4" bolsters...but when I measure everything is 3"....? They are quite combfortable...classy looking...and with top notch workmanship...Good Luck!
I just noticed Street Rat's Georgetown location...Lived in Leander for a year...quite a nice place!
I just noticed Street Rat's Georgetown location...Lived in Leander for a year...quite a nice place!
Last edited by 4SPDL81; May 13, 2014 at 08:12 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 12,683
Likes: 3,136
From: Shamong, NJ
To determine 2" vs 4" seats, you need to measure the backrest. Measure from where the backrest horizontal pleats end, to the vertical seam in the backrest side bolster. It won't be an exact number, but it will be either closer to 2" or 4".
There's no advantage to one backrest or the other, that I'm aware of. The difference is really not that noticeable.
If you want the option of 2" or 4" seats, I think you'll need to use Corvette America covers. I don't know whether Knoch offers the choice of 2" or 4". If they do, it's something new, because they didn't offer a choice in the past. I haven"t ordered 78-82 covers or foam from Knoch, in quite a while, but they used to only sell one size seat cover and foam.
There's no advantage to one backrest or the other, that I'm aware of. The difference is really not that noticeable.
If you want the option of 2" or 4" seats, I think you'll need to use Corvette America covers. I don't know whether Knoch offers the choice of 2" or 4". If they do, it's something new, because they didn't offer a choice in the past. I haven"t ordered 78-82 covers or foam from Knoch, in quite a while, but they used to only sell one size seat cover and foam.
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,853
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
We always suggest to customers the following:
2" seat covers will last longer. The side bolster is what takes a beating on this cover and for lack of a better way to put it.. your rear end drags the seat every time you get in the car. 2" gives you more room for the slide.
4" are more comfortable... plain and simple they just feel a bit more snug when you are driving.
We also never suggest 100 percent leather for the covers. GM changed the seat covers in 1970 to the leather/vinyl style because the vinyl side bolster was more durable than the leather. 100 percent leather covers will wear out faster.
There is no way to know which the car had, either could have been possible.
We have knoch covers on the site, you'll find them at the two links below. You can use the current sale code to save an additional 10 percent from this section.
http://willcoxcorvette.com/advanced_...s=seat%20cover
http://willcoxcorvette.com/advanced_...s=seat%20cover
2" seat covers will last longer. The side bolster is what takes a beating on this cover and for lack of a better way to put it.. your rear end drags the seat every time you get in the car. 2" gives you more room for the slide.
4" are more comfortable... plain and simple they just feel a bit more snug when you are driving.
We also never suggest 100 percent leather for the covers. GM changed the seat covers in 1970 to the leather/vinyl style because the vinyl side bolster was more durable than the leather. 100 percent leather covers will wear out faster.
There is no way to know which the car had, either could have been possible.
We have knoch covers on the site, you'll find them at the two links below. You can use the current sale code to save an additional 10 percent from this section.
http://willcoxcorvette.com/advanced_...s=seat%20cover
http://willcoxcorvette.com/advanced_...s=seat%20cover
Last edited by Willcox Corvette; May 13, 2014 at 05:25 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 7,427
Likes: 1,560
From: mount holly NC
2025 c3 ('74-'82) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods)
Now you tell me!
It would seem to me the later style with 4 inch bolsters might wear faster then the 2 inch.
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,853
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
exactly.. 2" covers last longer.. Butt wear is what we call it here.. 
The bigger the faster.. lol
I used to switch the backs out on my old 79 all the time.
The bigger the faster.. lol I used to switch the backs out on my old 79 all the time.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,664
Likes: 162
From: columbia city in
I'm about ready to undertake the task of redoing a set of seats for a 80. Is there a way to tell if a seat had 4" or 2" bolsters originally?
Which is more comfortable or is it just driver preference?
I always like stuff from Al Knoch but this job needs to be a bit more economy minded.
Which is more comfortable or is it just driver preference?
I always like stuff from Al Knoch but this job needs to be a bit more economy minded.
Thread Starter
Limping across the line
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 5,299
Likes: 109
From: Peoria Az
Not going to touch the foam or covers. It only neeeds a driver seatback and a couple of nuts for the hinges. Only going to do the dash,doorpanels, and carpet