Is there any way possible to lower the front of these seats? I have lowered the brackets as much as possible and tried to raise the steering column as much as possible. Any other adjustments I haven't checked on?
Jerry
Jerry
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Re: 1963 Seat Question
The '63 seats are the only year that had the pitch adjustment. You're lucky that you have that adjustment, but once you've reached the limit, that's it. You can also adjust the seatback rake angle with the stop screws a bit, but not much.
I don't know how you "raised" the steering column as there is no designed in height adjustment, but it does have a depth adjustment. The depth adjustment procedure is in the '63 Shop Manual.
Lousy seats are just part of the Midyear experience - similar to any other sixties vintage car. I blame the seats in my SWC and marathon drives as a young man as partially responsible for my mid life back problems.
Duuke -
Re: 1963 Seat Question
Several years ago, I had three mid series cars at once and re-did all the seats with new vendor buns and covers. The replacement foam material was too dense and all three cars were basically undriveable. (I had to remove the visors to drive the car and I am not overly tall at six-o.) The front of the seat was so close to the steering wheel, I had to force my leg under the wheel. Mid-america re-cast the seat cushions with a lower density and the cars became tolerable. The tip-off was that the center section of the seats balooned above the side bolsters. I still have the '65 and it is tolerable with the re-cast cushions. A couple of years ago, I started a thread here asking if anyone was happy with their replacement foam. The answer then was no. Craig NicolComment
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Re: 1963 Seat Question
Jerry,
If you are looking for leg room, there are a couple more changes you might consider if your car is not being judged. I did both of these to my SWC to make room for my 6'- 4" frame. If absolute originality is your goal, read no further.
Easiest is the installation of a '69 to '75 steering wheel. One inch smaller in diameter gives you an extra 1/2" clearance and still lets you see all the gauges. The stock horn button bracket bolts right up. As the hub is two piece rather than the '63 one piece, you do need to shim some of the bolts with small washers. Judge will spot it across the parking lot, but it is totally reversable.
If you are more ambitious / desperate, do what Chevrolet did. In '64 they lengthened the slot in the dash for the steering column to take the wheel higher. Noland Adams' Technical Guide covers this change and details how some of these '64 dashes were used in very late '63. Putting in a later '64-'66 dash panel and bracket will raise the wheel. If you are lucky enough to have the late '63 version, just remove (and save) the filler plate, swap brakets and adjust the column mounts.
Beware, you need to be secure in your assembly skills as you can cause many more problems than you solve. Electrical shorts, oil fitting leaks, interior scratches are all potential results of this exercise. And the judge will readily detect you desecration. But if you must have the room to know the thrill of driving this car, its the only way to go.Comment
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