Does anyone know how to run split screen in IE5?

[G B.]

The never-ending nightmare

I've been following this thread with great interest. Fitting new seat covers is a continuing problem for me.

Over time I've come to some conclusions that are unsettling. Reproduction seat covers are not constructed to high quality standards. I have to return maybe 20% because they fail initial inspection for crooked seams, wrong color shade, or damaged fabric. I forgive missed stitches and just have them resewn. I also forgive the non-stock dimensions found in reproduction covers. (Ever count the number of pleats in a reproduction '63 or '64 seat bottom?) The reproduction foam differs in density, thickness, and shape from the assembly line foam examples I have. The "installation kits" sold for the seat covers don't work well because the covers aren't made with the original type attachment points for the pull wires.

I can get a good fit only by 1) rebuilding the seat frames to make certain they are straight with good springs, 2) spending 4 hours weaving new reinforcing burlap, and then 3) taking them to an upholstery man who I've trained to understand what I expect in the way of final shape. He usually has to carve some on the foam, add a little padding somewhere, and use a high heat gun (not a hair dryer) liberally.

I've done 4 sets of '66 seats in the last two years. Each one was a little different experience than the others. I even had to take the last set back to the upholstery man twice to get the fit right. It's enough to make me think about making my own reproduction seat parts.

[Richard S.]

Re: The never-ending nightmare

Jerry, I could not agree with you more. Many of us would like our seats to come out looking perfect or better than perfect. There is a great deal of satisfaction that comes from doing something like the seats yourself. The difficulty and frustration, to say nothing of the additional costs, arises when those expensive reproduction parts are the problem. That is one very good reason why this Board and the experienced people who take the time to post answers and helpful information are so valuable, especially to the first timers. Hopefully, now that Mark is armed with all this information and advice on the reproduction seat covers and the installation experience of people like you, it will make his task easier, more enjoyable and result in perfect looking seats in his 66.
My 66 and 67 seats were both done with Al Knoch leather covers and new foams. I took them to a professional to do the work and asked that they come out wrinkle free and tight. The 66 seats came out perfect. The 67's however, done five years later, were not as tight as I wanted them in the seat bottoms, so I took them apart and did a little adding of material to the foam here and there until I got the thickness and tightness I wanted.

[Jack H.]

Re: The never-ending nightmare

Why do you think guys like NCRS Interior & Top NTL, John Kennedy make a living out of traveling around the country to a SERIOUS restoration owner's location and doing a turn-key installation from components that typically started as off-the-shelf items from a commercial restoration source but have been re-manufactured by John to be factory concours correct?