advice please
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Pro
Joined: Aug 2005
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From: Marysville CA - 2002
advice please
my wife & i are 60 years old - we both have arthritis - all of a sudden we are both having a difficult time getting in & out of our 85 - very nice car 37K on it - other than selling it and buying a C6? - has anyone here changed the seats to a more user friendly seat - - any idea's - thanks - t
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Thread Starter
Pro
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From: Marysville CA - 2002
Originally Posted by PsychoNumber1
I don't think new seats would help you getting in and out, mainly because they sit so low. that's my guess anyway.
Race Director
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From: Behind The Redwood Curtain, The State of Jefferson
it might help somewhat, but it's a long way down and especially a long way up. maybe you could put airbags on to raise and lower the car, along with new seats. it just seems like it's always going to be a chore with how low the seat is compared to the door sill.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2005
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From: Northern, VA
St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"
I guess it depends to an extent on how much you want to spend on it. Most owners who want to change out their seats want more of a "racing", hold-me-in-place-better type of seat.
Given the right encouragement, someone at an upholstery shop might be able to come with a more flat back and seat arrangement a la say the early '60s or even "mid-year" Corvette seats. The trick is to make it narrow enough to fit in the space provided, fit on the rails, etc. Just takes time and money but it can be done. One suggestion if you do it: keep your original seats so that if you ever do decide to sell the car, you can sell it with both seat arrangements.
Given the right encouragement, someone at an upholstery shop might be able to come with a more flat back and seat arrangement a la say the early '60s or even "mid-year" Corvette seats. The trick is to make it narrow enough to fit in the space provided, fit on the rails, etc. Just takes time and money but it can be done. One suggestion if you do it: keep your original seats so that if you ever do decide to sell the car, you can sell it with both seat arrangements.
Race Director
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From: Kingman AZ
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St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
I went from an 87 to a 96. I am the same age with a bad left knee. This newer car is much easier to get in and out of. I have been seeing a physical therapist for the knee and I am having no more problems, even with having a clutch.
My suggestion is to sell and buy one of the later Corvettes once you have tried one out. Also, the C5s are really easy to get in and out of. You might want to try one of those on for size.
My suggestion is to sell and buy one of the later Corvettes once you have tried one out. Also, the C5s are really easy to get in and out of. You might want to try one of those on for size.
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Team Owner
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From: San Diego , CA Double Yellow DirtBags 1985..Z51..6-speed
The C4 is gonna kill you on entry/exit either way, because of the door sill height, even if the car isn't lowered. Your only sure bet, is to get into a C5, they don't have this problem.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2005
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From: Beautiful Down Town "SWINDLEHURST" Long Island NY
How about parking on a set of ramps that raise the vette lets say 8" to 10" ( like the kind you park on to do work under the car). This way when you get in it's 10" higher ( the drop won't be so bad). But when you get out your all ready 10" closer to standing ( and you won't look like me trying to stand up 
)
)
Pro
Joined: Jul 2005
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From: Fuquay Varina North Carolina
Originally Posted by RICEKILA
How about parking on a set of ramps that raise the vette lets say 8" to 10" ( like the kind you park on to do work under the car). This way when you get in it's 10" higher ( the drop won't be so bad). But when you get out your all ready 10" closer to standing ( and you won't look like me trying to stand up )
)
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2000
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From: Esko MN
advice please
I have the same problem. The left knee takes a lot of strain getting in and out. Try this:
Swing both legs out first, then stand up. Also, when entering sit down, then swing both legs in. This works well if you think and force yourself to do it all the time. Then it becomes habit. Good luck!
Greg
Swing both legs out first, then stand up. Also, when entering sit down, then swing both legs in. This works well if you think and force yourself to do it all the time. Then it becomes habit. Good luck!
Greg
Race Director
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From: SCMR Rat Pack'r Charter Member..Great Bend KS
Originally Posted by CentralCoaster
The C4 is gonna kill you on entry/exit either way, because of the door sill height, even if the car isn't lowered. Your only sure bet, is to get into a C5, they don't have this problem.
...100%. Larry
code5coupe
Melting Slicks
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Originally Posted by 8T5
the reason i was thinking a different style of seat was to get something without the wings(?) on eash side of the seat - something more flat? or straight across? - maybe i'm just dreaming - maybe it's just time let the Vette go -
Have you ever sat on the standard seats? Maybe that would be enough of a difference to help.