Clamshell seats or ???
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 276
Likes: 68
Clamshell seats or ???
I'm working on my '78 and yearn for a comfier seat. The clamshell, '79-82, looks nice, but what other options are there for a simple to mount, C4, C5 or C6 seat? Any other options and really want something that looks "Corvette factory" style
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 3,921
Likes: 731
From: Youngstown Ohio
You'll get many opinions, as all different seats have been installed depending on personal preference, but search the threads for "Fiero seats" for a nice alternative. That's what I'm going to put in mine.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 11,904
Likes: 4,476
From: Virginia
Put in silver clam shell seats, then paint your car to look like a 1978 Pace Car. It will look factory!
I have clam shells in both of my Vettes. I love them, but I can't have a wallet in my back pocket. There are some great alternatives that people have come up with on this forum.
Try this site for Fiero seats, and others:
http://mrmikes.com/corvettes.htm
And I thought I saw someone recover some RX-8 seats, but I can't find the threat right now.
I have clam shells in both of my Vettes. I love them, but I can't have a wallet in my back pocket. There are some great alternatives that people have come up with on this forum.
Try this site for Fiero seats, and others:
http://mrmikes.com/corvettes.htm
And I thought I saw someone recover some RX-8 seats, but I can't find the threat right now.
Heel & Toe
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 16
Likes: 4
From: Moriarty New Mexico
I have a pair of Pontiac PMD seats out of an 82 Trans Am I have been meaning to measure to see if they fit. Stylish and comfy...barring that, a set of Fiero seats with a Mr. Mike treatment are destined for my Lady. That seems to be the best way to go unless you want to go with racing seats. The Fiero is actually a pretty cool little car.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 276
Likes: 68
I love the look of the clamshells, and the factory aspect of it. But before I do anything I want to do some research. Seems the C6 Z06 embroidered seats look cool, but want to see what others have done.
And guys with fiero seats, where did you get the seats? I saw the Mr Mikes site and his covers definitely make the fiero seat a possibility. I would just like to keep it simple and purchase seats ready to bolt in.
May wait until Carlisle and see if I can find a pair there, but still want to have an idea of what fits and what I'm looking at. I know clamshell, but other year vette seats and tracks. Looks good but width and lower seat height????
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 2,156
Likes: 273
From: Dunedin NZ.
C4 seats will fit, that's what I used, fitted them to the C3 tracks. The seats are wider than the originals so not much room between them and the doors. Height wise they are similar but they cant slide back quite as far as the originals because the backs are thicker, this could be an issue if you are tall. As far as comfort goes they are much better and offer decent lateral support, oh plus they weigh a heap less too.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 1,008
Likes: 163
You will get all the results from this forum (I just tried it and there are quite a few threads with your answers!)
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 276
Likes: 68
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...n-a-78-c3.html
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 7,441
Likes: 965
From: Tennessee/Rhode Island
I like these 79-82 seats more than my 10C6Z06 seats^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^..These seats I bought for $200 and were completely rebuilt/updated by me in November 2017. you can see the comparison of my stock 78 seats (which are in great shape) and the Clamshell seats in the pictures above
Last edited by jb78L-82; Jun 28, 2018 at 05:39 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 2,142
Likes: 195
From: Englewood FL
If you do decide to purchase 1979-82 seats I have a pair for sale in the parts section. They are complete but need new covers. Asking $300 but open to offers.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...acks-pair.html
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...acks-pair.html
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 60
Likes: 5
For some reason everyone thinks installing c6 seats is super complicated...its not...They will bolt directly to your seat rails you just need to drill new holes in them and use a few washers as spacers so the rail mechanism can function. We have done this on both my 71 and my brothers 69
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 276
Likes: 68
For some reason everyone thinks installing c6 seats is super complicated...its not...They will bolt directly to your seat rails you just need to drill new holes in them and use a few washers as spacers so the rail mechanism can function. We have done this on both my 71 and my brothers 69
Is the C5 or C6 seat more comfortable than the clam shell?
I like the way all the seats look. Some do look nicer than others, AND would like to keep corvette seats if possible. It is a matter of which seat is comfier, lends support, etc. Just trying to do my homework as '79-'82 seats aren't as common as the C5 and C6 and I will be most likely recovering those so $$ is a wash between all of them. Just want to buy only 1 set of seats lol!