Seats

[Vince Malvagna]

I have a 1970 Corvette Roadster, It could use a new pair of seats, I have thought about repairing the ones I have, but by the time I bought new foam,fixed the frames, bought new covers,& hardware,I think it would cost to much, I think I could buy a really good set of used seats for a lot less. My question is what year corvette seats would fit in my 70 roadster ? And would still look good.( my corvette is a driver, but I still want it to look really nice ) Any advice would be welcome. Thanks. VINCE.

[Reba Whittington]

Re: Seats

If you want to stick with originality, all 1970-77 seats are on the same frames. Standard interiors used identical seats 1970-76, but leather patterns differed with the years. If your car has the shoulder harness option, there will be a cutout in the seat back for that to pass through. On 1974-77, the metal trim on the seat back will be a solid piece.

Compare things carefully. Unless you are really lucky, you will still wind up doing new foam and covers on used seats.

[Daniel Grunwald]

Re: Seats

Vince,
I just finished putting new foam and seat covers on my 1970 T-top. I bought it all from Al Knoch at the Bloomington Gold show. I could not be more pleased with the quality of his product. I compared several others but the AK seat covers seemed to be made the best. it took some doing to put them on but I went back to the show every day and watched them put covers on and asked questions and I really learned a lot. I highly reccommend doing that. It will save you time, frustration, and possible injury,(I poked the hook tool deep into my hand the first day and later found out that I was doing it wrong). or pay them to install them. It's well worth the $$$. I have a new set of leather seat covers that came with my car but it originally had vinyl so I wanted to go that way. I am glad I did. I just finished and the seats look great! You might as well get the correct cover pattern if you do it at all cause you won't save much if any by using the wrong used seats or covers. By the way, I don't have any use for the light saddle color leather covers that I still have. If you are interested let me know Daniel Grunwald Grung3@inil.com

[Patrick H.]

Re: Seats

I'd agree with Reba and Dan. Either used seats will have the same crummy 32 year old foam that you do, or you'll be unhappy with the recovering and foam someone else put on. Don't forget that 1970 seats had the little stainless clip on the front to hold your seatbelt. This clip is not available in reproduction.

Actually, ANY seat from 1968-1982 will fit, but only the 70-77 variety will look anywhere near correct. I'm still looking for a good condition set of dark blue leather ones from the 78-82 era to slip into my 71 myself.

Strip the seats yourself, then either beadblast and paint the frames yourself or have it done. Actually, I will likely have my next set powdercoated. Then, send the redone frames and all your accessory hardware to Al Knoch and have him recover them. It's the best money you'll ever spend on your car. Trust me - I've done a couple sets of seats and I like the ones I've gotten from him much better.

Patrick