Leather or Vynil Seats?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 310
Likes: 6
From: New Bern NC
Leather or Vynil Seats?
The seats in my 69 convertible are leather (w/ headrests) and were orginally vynil. The current leather seats have 2 small cuts and one hole in them. (drivers side). I have brand-new vynil seat covers that came with the car (still in the box). I've been thinking about having the seats recovered with the new orginal vynil covers but My question is... Are the vynil seat covers as comfortable as the leather ones I have now? (Just looking for opinions & suggestions)
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 208
Likes: 8
From: Grand Ledge MI
I too am wondering what to do. My driver seat has some wear from sliding in and the passenger seat has a crack or two between the seams. I removed the seats thinking I was gonna get leather covers over the winter but this posting makes me wonder if I shouldn't get vinyl.
Any sources I should get pricing from on either?
Any sources I should get pricing from on either?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 3,330
Likes: 13
From: Europe , Luxembourg
Hi
Just as a sample.
ECKLERS for 68 Vette:
Leather set = 470 USD
Leather like = 190 USD
So less than 1/2 .
Don't know if the 68 Leather and / or leatherlike covers are correct reproduction of the non available leather option in 68, but still available.
Gunther
Just as a sample.
ECKLERS for 68 Vette:
Leather set = 470 USD
Leather like = 190 USD
So less than 1/2 .
Don't know if the 68 Leather and / or leatherlike covers are correct reproduction of the non available leather option in 68, but still available.
Gunther
Drifting
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,442
Likes: 2
From: Flanders NJ
Willcox has the best prices I could find on interior stuff. I got the new foam with the leatherlike covers mounted.Here is a link for Willcox:
http://www.yankeelady.com/willcox/
Here are my new seats:
http://www.yankeelady.com/willcox/
Here are my new seats:
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 5,383
Likes: 11
From: Toronto Ontario
Originally Posted by mooneyd
Willcox has the best prices I could find on interior stuff. I got the new foam with the leatherlike covers mounted.Here is a link for Willcox:
http://www.yankeelady.com/willcox/
Here are my new seats:
http://www.yankeelady.com/willcox/
Here are my new seats:
I just completed mine, see my photos for comparison
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Instructor
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 182
Likes: 0
From: Sun Peaks British Columbia
I agree that Wilcox is the best price. I bought NQP foam from them as well the leather covers. A couple of hundred bucks extra was not a significant difference given the overall cost of rebuilding the car.
Leather to my way of thinking is classier. I've got a pic. of my interior in my photogallery if interested.
Leather to my way of thinking is classier. I've got a pic. of my interior in my photogallery if interested.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 2,662
Likes: 8
From: Knoxville Tennessee
I purchased vinyl seat covers installed on new foam from Volunteer Vette. The old leather ones were cracked and looked very sad. The vinyl is a leather-like material and its hard to tell the difference. I used the vinyl because I believe it will out perform the leather. Only time will tell. I am 5'9" tall and with the new foam my head just bearly clears the tee tops.
Bernie
Bernie
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 2,010
Likes: 3
From: Moon Twp. PA USA
I like leather. That being said, I replaced the leather seats on my '76 with stock leather - vinyl seats from a '79. Leather requires more upkeep. GM chose, in '78 PC and later, to go with leather on the seating surfaces and vinyl on the sides. What kind of decision was that? Bean counters, I guess. Why go 1/2 *** on the leather?
Racer
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 304
Likes: 0
From: Pasadena Maryland
I think its just a matter of preference. Leather certainly looks better especially in sports cars. I also like how it ages. There is a big difference in the price. If money isn't an issue I would go with leather. Just my opinion.
Pro
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 659
Likes: 0
From: Flower Mound Texas
I prefer leather - feels better, smells better, but probably does not wear as well. If I were starting with nothing, I'd go that route. But if I already had vinyl covers like you do, I'd install those and not think twice about it. The examples I see in this thread look fantastic! Just my $.02.
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 92
Likes: 0
From: Westville INdiana
I re apolstered my 81 and used the Vinyl --- It has shown no wear at all !!!---also --streatching it across the seats took about 45 minutes per seat .
My vote would be vinyl---unless you are having this as a show car only.
My vote would be vinyl---unless you are having this as a show car only.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 11,874
Likes: 263
From: Arlington Va Current ride 04 vert, previous vettes: 69 vert, 77 resto mod
i used vinyl purely for economic reasons $$$$$$$$$$$$ less then half price of leather, there is no difference between vinyl and leather in the hot sun or sweating....you will be wet with either one....you can do vinyl yourself with the tools (it took us one weekend per seat installed on new foam) .....you may want to send leather out to do...i can't imagine stretching the leather...
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Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 310
Likes: 6
From: New Bern NC
Thanks to all for the excellent responses to this thread....
...I need to ADD that these new 69 corvette vinyl seat covers I have are ..."Black comfort weave vinyl", they have this heavy weave in them, it "feels" course and heavy! ...Just by the feel of this "heavy weave" I wonder, before I consider installing them, if this vinyl comfort weave seat cover would be as comfortable as the leather seats I have now and which would be cooler in the hot summer?
Here is a photo of my 69 Corvette current interior. The leather seats (shown below) are pretty good with only a few cuts on the drivers side. I just have these new vinyl comfort weave seat covers and wondering if I should install them. But I'm not sure how comfortable this "comfort weave" really is?
...I need to ADD that these new 69 corvette vinyl seat covers I have are ..."Black comfort weave vinyl", they have this heavy weave in them, it "feels" course and heavy! ...Just by the feel of this "heavy weave" I wonder, before I consider installing them, if this vinyl comfort weave seat cover would be as comfortable as the leather seats I have now and which would be cooler in the hot summer?
Here is a photo of my 69 Corvette current interior. The leather seats (shown below) are pretty good with only a few cuts on the drivers side. I just have these new vinyl comfort weave seat covers and wondering if I should install them. But I'm not sure how comfortable this "comfort weave" really is?