VancouverL71

Can anyone tell me whether the seat frames and tracks are the same for a 1968 and 1969. I have a 1969 and found a couple of 1968 seats for fairly cheap near my home. I plan to use the 1968 seats while I recover my 1969 seats so as not to shut down my car. Will they bolt in with no issues. (are the tracks the same) I realize the release latches are slightly lower and I don't think the 1968's have headrests but are the frames the same.

Secondly, am I correct in thinking that the only two choices for seat covers are Corvette America and Al Knock?
Does anyone have any strong feelings as to which ones are better? Prices are about the same.

Anyone have a set of 1969 black vinyl covers that they never got around to installing as I would be interested.

Thanks, Pete

ctmccloskey

Hello,
I have a 1968 Convertible BB car and many years ago I tried to recover my seats myself with new foam and leather seat covers from Al Knock.

After fighting with them for hours I got them on, it was not an easy task to try. Six months later a couple of the threads came out and looked bad (probably something I did). Later that year I saw Al at Corvettes@Carlisle and I told him what happened. Al told me to send him both of the seats and he would "take care of it".

That winter I sent him both of my seats. When they came back he had installed brand new leather seat covers and replaced the seat backs and hardware with pristine parts and freshly chromed hardware. Both of my seats were restored to their full glory. Al would take no money that was offered to repair my seats even though they went way above and beyond in what they did to make me happy!

Anybody who stands behind his products like Al does is my "supplier for life"! His quality is impeccable and the seats still shine like new 15 years later.

I needed new seats and foam for my 1988 Coupe. They were cheaper at several places but that is not what gets my business.

I went straight to Al Knock and ordered them from him as I KNOW what I will get. He has supplied both of my cars with carpets and seat covers and a new convertible top for my 1968 Convertible.

As for the seat tracks of a 1968 and your car I could not honestly tell you. I would bet they are the same....

You are right about the 68's having low back seats. I wanted to convert mine to have headrests but then it would not be a 1968. The 1968 Corvette is so unique, that is part of the beauty!

69Vett

early 69, same as 68 frame.
late 69, they moved the seatback release latch, up to a higher position.

0Willcox Corvette

Actually it would be Late 68 was the same as all 69 cars. The lever moved in production of the 68 cars. Either seat frame (68 early or late) will fit the car though.

Late 68-69 seat back.


Early 68 seat back

69Vett

thanks for the correction. Wilcox !
thats what i meant to say !

VancouverL71

Thanks for the vote for Al Knock. Saying as no one has strong feelings towards or against the Corvette America covers, I shall lean towards Al Knock. I did use the Al Knock Vinyl Cover for my hardtop and was satisfied.

Thanks Ernie regarding the seat backs,,, I of course have the higher release on my seat backs so I will check to see if they are early or late 1968 seats.

Pete

VancouverL71

Actually, my other important question is can the 1968 later seats receive the headrest?

Easy Mike

Lean toward Al Knoch. http://www.alknochinteriors.com/



Yes, provided the mounting bracket is installed in the seat back.

0Willcox Corvette

Mike, I've never tried it but I wonder if the upper headrest bracket is the same as a mid year. I've installed those multiple times in a mid year and I've never checked to see if it could be modified to work on a 68-69. I'll have to research this later today.

Seat cover wise, I don't lean either way, I carry and sell both brands, While I've installed both brands, the CA foam is the bomb when you compare it to original. I did a write up about this on the tech site a few years back.

I just installed a set of 69 leather seats and the covers went on perfectly and the seat feels nice and way softer than the others on the market. The PDF below will explain in more detail about the changes CA made to the seat foam.

http://repairs.willcoxcorvette.com/w...-seat-foam.pdf

Faster Rat

These leather covers were bought from Al Knoch at Bloomington Gold and we just had a local shop here in Miami install them over the original foams, after I restored the frames and tracks. I was told new foams would not look or feel as good as my originals...and I believe I was told correctly.