I am slowly restoring a low mileage, very solid ‘74. I am just the second owner of this very original, numbers matching, L82, 4 speed car. My question is this. Does it make more sense to buy complete new ‘original’ seats (leather about $2K plus tax and shipping) - or to restore mine? I definitely need covers, foam and backs. I might need frames. I have done some repair work/welding to the original frames but the bumpers don’t line up. This has me baffled. I have ‘massaged’ the frames and improved the alignment; but it’s still not good. The bumpers occasionally slip by each other and lock together. Is there a fix for this? If need covers, foam, backs AND frames - just buy complete seats? Curious what anyone’s experience has been with leather seat cover sets. Are they quality? Pretty much all the same wherever you buy them? Thanks for any input.

 

Can you post pics of what you are working with?

 

Are you going for an NCRS-style restoration, and/or plan to sell the car once the restoration is complete?

If so, restoring your existing seats is likely to be your best bet (though time-consuming).

If not, I would go sit in a 79-82 C3 clamshell seat before spending money on your stock seats, especially if you plan to buy them new. You can drive around in comfort, and keep your existing seats to restore at your leisure.

 

The foam and leather covers alone are just a tad over $1000. If you need buttons, fasteners, tilt slides, "hockey sticks", etc. you're going to be adding another $500ish. That doesn't include any costs to refurb the frames or springs. With that info in mind, perhaps buying already completed seats is the answer for you.

You can also send your original seats to Al Knoch and they'll restore them to original condition. (They will also reskin and restore your original door panels.)

 

Al Knoch is hands down the place to buy replacement covers, foam, etc. Been buying from them for 45 years.

What did you weld on the frames? What constitutes “massaging”?

 

I know most will say they look good. And you would be right. The problem is the foam is shot. And there is a repair on the drivers seat bottom. When the repair was made they dyed some of the stitching that should be white. Not looking to build a show car. Just nice, correct and fun. Maybe just replace the foam?

And the issue of the bumpers not lining up. By ‘massage’ I means bending the rails top and bottom slightly to force alignment. It’s closer but they still can - and have - flipped by each other and locked together. How do you solve this?

 

Based on your picture, it appears you have a bottom frame issue. From my own experience doing a complete seat restoration, I can tell you that it's not an easy job. I have easily spent $1500.00 on parts, and that was me restoring every bolt and piece I possibly could. You will want to go with new foam and covers because fitment changes once you add new foam. I used CC covers and can tell you they are nice, but I would try Al Knoch if I were to do it again.

I am guessing by your picture will need to find a new bottom frame unless you are a good welder. It's a can of worms like everything with these cars. Once you start to take things apart, you find bubba, and if you have OCD like me, well, you end up wanting to do a frame-off resto because you find out the seat mounting brackets and seat belt mount points need to be replaced, adding to the list of other things.

 

My seats look nearly the same as yours in my 1975 coupe. The code says they are leather and medium, saddle color. The material is old looking ,of course, but the foam was shot and there was a seat bottom frame issue on driver's seat. I felt that replacing the foam was the way to go. When taking them apart, I found the steel frame for the bottom driver had broken and causing an uneven sitting position so I welded it up, replaced the seat foam and re-used the original leather covers. I also replaced the rubber bumper stops for the seat backs as the originals were shot. The covers were difficult to refit over the new foam and a lot of pulling and stretching to get the hog rings to hold them in place was needed. I am a novice, but trying to keep the old Vette usable. Good luck when you decide to tackle it!

 

There is an excellent article by Corvette America on how to rebuild these seats. The process of recovering them is not difficult but it does require patience and attention to detail. If you have those qualities, it will be a rewarding effort for you. If not, then I’d recommend sending them out.

Not that it would be impossible but I doubt you bent the chrome rails as they are quite beefy. I suspect that you tweaked the stamped steel frame. The bumpers on the seat back and seat bottom typically deteriorate which allows the seat to sag on that side. Condition and proper alignment of those bumpers are critical.

if you are up to the challenge, review the CA article and familiarize your self with how these seats are assembled. Then, remove the covers and foam, photo documenting each step and observing how the various clips and wires function in the overall design. Build out a workbench area where you can attach the seat tracks to (matching the dimensions in the car) and be able to take a variety of measurements to achieve proper alignment between top and bottom.

The bumpers are attached to the frames but you will note that they are installed over the covers so you’ll need to determine the approximate thickness of the material where the bumpers are located. You can simulate this thickness with washers when you are working with just the bare frames.

The seatback frame should sit square and true to the seat bottom frame. With the bumper/washer stacks in place, determine how much they are off square/true before making any adjustments. Document your efforts as you go along so you know what worked/didn’t work.

 

Great advice and tips. Thank you all.

 

The stitching thread on those tan seat covers is only 'white' because the sun has bleached-out the dye color in the thread. The thread used to construct those covers would have originally been the same color as the seats.

You CAN re-stuff those seat covers with new scrim foam (Google it, if you need to) to puff-up the cover padding. It would be more of a challenge with the horizontal channels (rather than the vertical channels on my '71 seat covers) but it could be done with some patience and a good plan. I have a write-up on how to refurb the covers that I can send you, if you are interested. Just send me a PM with your e-mail address so that I can send you the MS-Word file. If the leathers on your covers are still in good condition, it would be a shame to 'pitch' them.

 

i think i may rip apart the passenger seat (or frame exposed) and post up pics.. it looks bent and cattywampus from what i have done which is dump my ace at seat edge and fall in... i know you said you welded some and straightened.. but i would think you need to sort out frames and or get advice form others (with pics) . That may guide your decision and not waste time sending out to have them say needs something else, or need new used replacements.
compared to a 79 those look thin and i would for sure try foam (even extra) first.. great color..

 

Pete, I am late to this and just did the seats on my 76. I have some lessons learned I can share with you. I used Al Knoch seat covers and foam. Send me a separate note.
Chas
chas.ryan1@gmail.com