Replacing Seat Covers
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 159
Likes: 0
From: Kinston N.C.
Replacing Seat Covers
I'm currently looking at replacing the seat covers in my 98 coupe. Where is the best place to buy replacements and is there a difference in GM and aftermarket ones. Which are better? The ones I have now, have hardened and I would like soft leather to replace them with. I also have standard seats and understand for about $250.00 I can change them to sport seats. Thanks for your imput.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 20,054
Likes: 44
From: Swansea IL
When I did the base seat to Sport Seat upgrade I bought OEM hides from Fichtner for around $500. Then there are the after market hides sold my Mid-America for around $850. Of course you can always just do the VE thing for around $2K.
Tom
Tom
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 4,653
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From: North Royalton, OH
St. Jude Donor '06-'07
There ae many differences between GM and aftermarket, i.e. Vette Essentials covers. GM is not all leather, VE is. You can see and feel the difference - on the seat and in your wallet! VE is not cheap, but you get what you pay for. If you just want to replace the stock GM leather, you might just lurk around here or on eBay for a set that someone replaced with VE leather. And VE can help you with the upgrade to sport seats, if I remember correctly. Just a simple change to the seat backing/foam inserts - nothing to the frame itself.
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Here is what I feel is the quality order of seat covers, from bottom to top:
Bottom: OEM
Mid - something like Mid-America's replacement covers
Top: Vette Essentials.
While you will pay close to $2K for the Vette Essentials ones, I can attest they are far superior than the stock covers and are all quality leather. Plus, you can have them customized to your tastes. Ken King has them on sale right now for 10% off.
Bottom: OEM
Mid - something like Mid-America's replacement covers
Top: Vette Essentials.
While you will pay close to $2K for the Vette Essentials ones, I can attest they are far superior than the stock covers and are all quality leather. Plus, you can have them customized to your tastes. Ken King has them on sale right now for 10% off.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 10,665
Likes: 56
btw, you can upgrade to the look of sport seats, but you'll not actually get the sport seat functions such as lumbar/bolster support...not sure why everyone always misses this...if you want sport seats...buy a set on eBay...it's much less hassle...
Also, Gene (forum name Karshop) usually has sport seats for sale...
Also, Gene (forum name Karshop) usually has sport seats for sale...
Racer
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 254
Likes: 0
From: Dallas TX
I understand that more (or maybe all) of the panels are leather on the Vette Essentials seats, but how high quality is the leather itself? Are we talking Lexus type leather (very soft but still pretty durable) or BMW/Mercedes type leather(extremely durable but usually a bit firmer than Lexus). What company do they get the hides from?
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Advanced
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 94
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From: Waverly Ohio
redvetteharley...for what it is worth I just inquired through a contact of mine who is a GM dealership parts guy. I was inquireing on a set of 97 Drivers seat ($165.20)and back cushion ($126.88) skins. I think this is a great price for OEM GM skins but I may be wrong. His contact info is below and you can call or email him. I can almost guarantee he can beat just about anyone for AC Delco parts, bar none!
Dave
Dallas Slabaugh (DAL)
Van Devere Olds
Akron, OH
1-877-448-5451
lockitup@bright.net
Dave
Dallas Slabaugh (DAL)
Van Devere Olds
Akron, OH
1-877-448-5451
lockitup@bright.net
