70 Corvette Seat Backs

[David S.]

Hi All,

I have a late product 70 LT1. I need a pair of original seat backs. I was told they are the same from 70 - 77. Part number 3974092. Is this true? Is there anything in particular to look for in a 70 specific seat back?

Thanks,
Dave

[Terry M.]

Re: 70 Corvette Seat Backs

I believe there is a difference in the size of the opening cut for clearance for the seat back release rod from early to late 1970. One has the opening taller than the other, but I would have to unearth the car and my stock of parts to be sure, and that ain't happening any time soon. Maybe Reba knows which is the larger opening.

[Michael D.]

Re: 70 Corvette Seat Backs

Do you need seats backs -- as in do not have either --, or do your existing pair only need restoration?

[Reba W.]

Re: 70 Corvette Seat Backs

I don't believe there is a difference in 1970-76 seat backs. 3974092 is the number in the 1972 AIM.
Joe can probably tell us if there were any other part numbers used.

[David S.]

Re: 70 Corvette Seat Backs

Thanks all.

Michael - I do not have either... Need originals.

Thanks,
Dave

[Terry M.]

Re: 70 Corvette Seat Backs

Terry, you are thinking of the 1968-69 sytle. I don't believe there is a difference in 1970-76 seat backs. 3974092 is the number in the 1972 AIM.
Joe can probably tell us if there were any other part numbers used.

I didn't say there was a part number change. How often do we get a configuration change without a part number change? You know how to force me to get into the stash, don't you? The car will be easiest. Photos to follow.

If someone has a known original 1971 or 1972 seat back to measure the height of the opening in the bottom center of the seat back (clearance for the seat back release rod) and let us know it would be helpful. I will take care of the early 1970s.

[Patrick B.]

Re: 70 Corvette Seat Backs

There is a significant improvement in materials between 1970 seat upholstery and 1976 upholstery. Figuring I would keep my 70 LT-1 a long time, I bought a complete set of GM seat covers in 1976 and put them away. My original covers did not wear out, but by the late 1980's the interior began to look like it was covered in pollen. The sponge rubber in the pleats of the upholstery was turning to powder and leaking out of the weave of the vinyl fabric. I unpacked my new spare seat covers fearing that they too had degraded in the box, but I was delighted to discover that the pleats were formed with a grey material like a carpet pad that was not sponge rubber and was still perfect.

The down side of waiting 15 years to open the box was that it contained 3 seat bottoms and one seat back instead of the 2 of each that I had ordered. I don't know if this change took place in 71, 72,73,74 ,75 or 76. Whatever year does not experience the "pollen effect" with woven pattern seats would be the change year. I would really like to find someone who could replace the sponge rubber on my remaining original seat back with the newer grey material.

[Warren F.]

Re: 70 Corvette Seat Backs

Terry,
The opening on my '71's is 7/16's height by 1 1/2" in length.

[David S.]

Re: 70 Corvette Seat Backs

Does anyone know the part number for a 70?

Thanks,
Dave

[Terry M.]

Re: 70 Corvette Seat Backs

Does anyone know the part number for a 70?

Thanks,
Dave

I would expect that part number to be in the 1970 AIM.

[Terry M.]

Re: 70 Corvette Seat Backs

Hi All,

I have a late product 70 LT1. I need a pair of original seat backs. I was told they are the same from 70 - 77. Part number 3974092. Is this true? Is there anything in particular to look for in a 70 specific seat back?

Thanks,
Dave

Dave,
At long last here is a picture of my 1970 original. As I recall the NOS ones I bought (and I am not going to try to dig out) had a much higher opening for clearance for the latch actuating rod. I would be very curious if the ones Warren posted about are the same. I think not, but then I am not the interior guru.

seatback 002.jpgseatback 001.jpg

BTW: I would have tried to measure the opening, but it didn't look very easy with the seatbacks installed, so I took a pass.

[David S.]

Re: 70 Corvette Seat Backs

Thanks Terry!

[Terry M.]

Re: 70 Corvette Seat Backs

Hi All,

I have a late product 70 LT1. I need a pair of original seat backs. I was told they are the same from 70 - 77. Part number 3974092. Is this true? Is there anything in particular to look for in a 70 specific seat back?

Thanks,
Dave

Dave,
Here are photos of the seat back cut-out on one of Warren Fredrick's 1971s. I will send him and Reba a message to check this thread again. I do not know when this change took place, and it obviously did not involve a part number change. Now of course the challenge becomes to identify when the change took place. My best recollection from several decades ago was that it was late 1970, but WTFDIK. I wasn't very nice to Warren at Tahoe when I told him crudely I knew of this change more than 20 years ago. Long term stuff is fine -- it is just the short term stuff I have trouble with.

Warren does deserve kudos. He drove his LS6 to Tahoe and the windshield was covered in bugs to prove it. He also mentioned something about the cost of fuel. My advanced Judging Class loved it, as I do.

DSCN0566.jpgDSCN0567.jpg

Please compare these to the photos I posted a week or so ago. Both are original seat backs. Are we having fun yet?

[David S.]

Re: 70 Corvette Seat Backs

Terry,

I'm certainly having a blast. I think I'm more confused than anything! Likely the first set of "originals" I find, I will purchase haha.

Thanks,
Dave

[Terry M.]

Re: 70 Corvette Seat Backs

Terry,

I'm certainly having a blast. I think I'm more confused than anything! Likely the first set of "originals" I find, I will purchase haha.

Thanks,
Dave

See what happens when you ask what seems to be a simple question? That is a part of what makes Corvettes fun.

And just to confuse matters a little more; we do not know if the color of the interior might have affected the change of these cut-uts. How many Black did they have stockpiled v how many Bright Blue? This is the kind of thing we may never learn the answer to now 40+ years on. Anyone with original 1970 or early 1971 interior would be a help. Warren told me the S/N of his car, but I don't recall exactly. Being an LS6 it has to be 12K plus range, so there is a lot of room to narrow this down some.

I believe 1970 S/N 5xx with Black interior will be at Hampton for a 5th Star. Of courses being earlier than mine it might just confuse things more. I think I know a few judges who will be looking at the seatbacks on that car. This just may become the "feature de jour."