Help - Wondering if my kit is wrong

[techguy]

Hey guys,

I after several earlier posts and research it was determined I have 82 Sports Seats in my 72 Targa. I spent lots of time on the phone with Tony at Autos International to nail down the right seat recovery kit. After a long wait I finally have the kit and would like to size things up. The only thing that seems off is the side bolsters for the lower seat. I know my seats were recovered so I don't have the real thing to compare with for my recovery. This is what I cannot figure out, the new part seems to have a sharper cut by the seat recliner. Maybe I have the wrong part? Thoughts? Can anyone post a pic of an 82 Sport Seat?

[Eric Coffey]

Hmmmm, just buy the look (higher profile) of the new piece, I would guess you have the kit for the newer style (1985-1994) sport seats. I could be wrong.

[techguy]

Can someone do a quick measure for me on 82 Sport Seats? This is what I have for the centre inserts:

[fintstone]

Actually, the cut of the new piece looks like the 81 and earlier sport seat with the outside recliner.

[fintstone]

Example:

[techguy]

Hey Flintstone,

I think you are right, I started on the back of the seat this afternoon and it goes on tight and seems close to the contour of my seat except for the fact the centre insert seems to large about 2 inches too wide in fact at the top and bottom. The measurements of the pleated material are about 11" at the top and close to 14" near the bottom. Houston, I think we have a problem!

[fintstone]

Mine is about 11 and 13.25 inches where you measure 9 and 11 inches respectively

[techguy]

Just to clarify, you have the 81s in the picture or 82s?

Thanks!

[fintstone]

Mine are the '74-'81

[techguy]

Ok, whew..thats what I thought. Sounds like a have a perfect kit for your car then. I guess I had better wait for anyone with 82s to check their measurements with mine. I guess someone at Autos International screwed things up then

[fintstone]

Yes. Perhaps they made them narrower in 82 when they changed recliner mechanisms. Your measurements seem to match the size of the standard seats with your style recliner for center width.

[techguy]

Funny, my invoice reads 77-84 black series 901 sport seat covers. I would think that Tony has done tons of these, how could the order have been screwed up?

[fintstone]

Beats me. The fact that it says 77-84 tells me that they are not quite up to speed...because , as we discussed before...those are not the same year groups and 82-84 are different. I don't have measurements of the 82 up, but "Howiee" posted recently (with pictures) that he bought a set with recliners like yours...perhaps you should pm him for measurements. By the way...nice workmanship.

[fintstone]

It is too bad that they don't fit because they look really nice. If you can get measurements and yours are indeed normal '82's like we think....I would suggest you call Tony and send them back with your covers to use as a pattern. It will help them..because they will have a good pattern for future orders..and they can fix your problem. Since they are too big...as opposed to too small...should be easy to fix.
Stoney

[techguy]

Yup, just my luck..sent the kit back yesterday with my old covers and its wrong! Looks like my seats are the later 82 style and the kit was an earlier 82 style. If anyone needs an earlier kit give Tony a shout at Autos International, I am sure you can work a deal. Looks like he will have to totally rebuild my covers from scratch to fit. This is gonna cost me just his time plus shipping again. I have to say these seats are getting expensive...$550 for kit $25 shipping..another $75 shipping back....$50 for the hog ring pliers now $$$$ for the rework. Guess I should have got a pair of seats from E-Bay??? At least mine will look like new when they are done.

[Leland Pate]

They are going to look "great" when you are done.


Now "That"... is a project. Props to you.

[Thomas Owen]

The guys at Autos International do very good work... just send the seat bottoms to them.

[howiee]

Hey techguy
Sorry, I just got your PM.
Do you still need me to measure something up for you? I have the same seats as you do. the 82 sport seats.

I found a guy that is going to make me some new covers here in Ottawa. If you have more problems with your covers he maybe willing to do a better deal for 2 sets.

[techguy]

Hey Howiee,

Spoke to Tony today, my new covers have been built based on one of the old skins I sent back with the 1st set of covers. It looks like they are going to ship from California on Monday so maybe if I am lucky I will be moving forward next weekend. Good luck with your rebuild!!

Pete