79-82 Seats question......
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 153
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From: Tecumseh, OK USA
79-82 Seats question......
I recently purchased a set of freshly recovered seats for my 78 and I went with the newer styling as seen in the picture (not my seats in photo, for reference only). My question concerns the latching mechanism that controls the seat flipping forward. As in.... is there one and what should it look like? Could someone snap a pic of theirs so I can see if I do indeed have missing parts? :confused:
I am also looking for a used passenger side seat bucket (bottom). Mines cracked, but not impossible to live with for now.
Thanks,
Rowdy
I am also looking for a used passenger side seat bucket (bottom). Mines cracked, but not impossible to live with for now.
Thanks,
Rowdy
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 163
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From: Fullerton CA
Re: 79-82 Seats question...... (c3vettelover)
Latching mechanism is contained within the hinges of the seat. You should be able to simply fold the seat forward when the car's stopped. There are small weights within the hinges which swing forward upon sudden deceleration, and lock the seat back in the upright position. Similar to the way the seatbelt retractors lock the seatbelts upon sudden deceleration.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 328
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From: Marlborough MA
Re: 79-82 Seats question...... (c3vettelover)
I bought a set for my 75. If you still have the seats out of the car, try this test. With the seat horizontal, the back should tilt down. However, if you reposition the seat so it "faces" the ground, the seat back should not be able to fold.
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2002
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From: Wichita KS
Re: 79-82 Seats question...... (c3vettelover)
Do you mind if I ask what all you had to buy, where you got it, and what it cost altogether? I'm curious about making this change myself and it looks like ordering everything from catalogs is pretty expensive. Thanks!
Racer
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 328
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From: Marlborough MA
Re: 79-82 Seats question...... (Blankman)
One word - "EBAY"
If you are trying to fit into a pre-79 (I think), you will need the older style seat tracks. (I know I need the older style in my 75, but not sure when the change-over was...)
If you are trying to fit into a pre-79 (I think), you will need the older style seat tracks. (I know I need the older style in my 75, but not sure when the change-over was...)
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 153
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From: Tecumseh, OK USA
Re: 79-82 Seats question...... (Blankman)
The set I bought were complete, tracks and all, with new leather covers. I bought them on Ebay for $480 w/shipping. One seat base is cracked, but not bad. I'm going to repaint all of it anyway (bases and backs). After looking at them for a bit though, I've decided the the seat foam is either wrong (2" vs. 4" pleats) or it's beat down because the seats look too baggy around the side bolsters. So I bought the correct foam from Corvette America (NQP set) for about $145 w/ shipping. I think (hope) I'll still be ahead when all's said and done!? :crazy:
