Refinishing or selling early sport seats

[coldstart]

I was lucky enough to purchase an early car (72 T targa) that came with early sport seats in decent condition.

The seats tilt and slide properly, they are very comfortable for big (I'm 6'-2" 190 lbs on a good day) and small (GF is 5'-3" 100 on a bad day) people. They included all the foam and hardware BUT one side seat bolster is in awful condition (separation cracks in leather) and the other 3 side bolsters have smaller cracks (leather is intact) as do the base bolsters. The middle cloth is good looking and is in decent condition (one small ciggie burn-- what an idiot!!).

ANYWAYS, my question is what does the collective recommend I do (note: my car is very very stock, numbers, engine and color matching car but still only a T with a lot of S options):

1. Do I leatherique the 3 bolsters plus bases and do a crappy repair on the awful one (cheap solution);

2. Do I leave it as is and endure my girlfriend's taunting abut how ugly my seats are (emotionally harmful solution)

3. Do I have the upper seats reupholstered by a local guy ($800 CDN, he has very good rep);

4. Do I just reupholster the one bolster and attempt to match the other 3 bolsters and leather bases with leatherique (possibly tacky solution);

5. Do I sell the sport seats (I had an offer of $500 CDN plus standard vinyl seats in fair condition with no rips, I could use the $$$ towards upgrading the tensioners and the engine tin this winter); OR

6. Do I bit the bullet and put some serious coin/effort into my car and take the seats out, repaint the bases (not currently rusting), and make the seats completely leather. I really really like the look of these seats:





I realize that this would bastardize my car, but those are nice seats and would go with my car (black on black). However, I likely wouldn't go for them as the price is restrictive (likely around $2-3K CDN).

Opinions welcome.

[rsNINESOOPER]

Ill buy the seats from you if you decide to sell, I have cash waiting- 1000.00 US plus Ill also provide a pair of stock Standard seats in excellent condition (black vinyl)

Please let me know if interested,


I can be reached by phone at 510-919-5512

Thanks, jeff

[coldstart]

Wow, thanks for the offer Jeff. I'll post some pics tomorrow and you can check the seats out yourself. I haven't really thought this through yet but I am interested in that option. Shipping costs may be prohibitive given the distance....

[LakeCleElum]

It's important to keep the seats with the car. I would humbly suggest you live with them in the current condition until you can afford to have them completely reupholstered. I had mine did in black vinyl and they look great. No real need for leather.....Just one opinion.

[ubiquity0]

I would agree that you should hold on to 'em if you can. They're not getting any cheaper & if you sell then decide you want to return the car to original in a few years you might find they're unobtainable.

I definitely wouldn't trade for $500 canadian + a set of standard vinyl seats. Even in poor condition people will pay big $ for them:
73 Recaro Sport Seats
1972 Porsche 911 Recaro Lowback Sport Seats

[jkarolyi]

I sold a set recently in MUCH worse shape than that for $3000. Those seats are worth some serious money.

[svonkampen]

i bought my unrestored set for 1500.00....

concours restoration was circa 2000.00.....I've had 5000.00 + offers ....but i will never sell them.
very rare.

SvK

[svonkampen]

If you restore them, have Autos Intl. in Escondido CA. do them.

Mine are perforated leather bolsters with corduroy centers......(just like they were offered)


http://www.autosintl.com/

[svonkampen]

here they are prior to restoration....paid 1500.00..

[lusso]

Keep them!!! Wait till you can afford to reupholster. This can be expensive but they will maintain value.

[pwd72s]

I guess you've figured it out by now...your seats, in restorable condition are highly prized. Save your $, and have them properly restored.

[coldstart]

Some pics of the seats and a gratitous shot of the front of my car in the garage at 3 a.m. (yeah baby!). If I decide to sell (tempting!) I will post an ad in the for sale section...

[reed930]

That sir, is called patina. Judging by the pictures, I would never do a full reupholstery on those seats. I would just repair the torn areas and leave the rest alone. They look to be overall in great original shape. Many shops can do replacement panels where the leather is worn.

[930LDR]

Shipping shouldn't be that bad depending on how you can package them. I bought a pair of Recaro SRDs from a guy up there and I think the shipping was about $200 or less. Not cheap but not rediculous either.

[Crachian]

I agree with Chris. Definitely do not reupholster those seats. You cannot buy the kind of character in that leather.

I'd rather have a set like that even with sewn up tears than a newly redone set anyday.

[SandyI]

Basically, those seats are the most valuable part of your car.
Congrats.

But if you're really considering parting with them, I'll give you $1,100 U.S. and a pair of recently refilled and recovered standard seats in flawless black German leatherette that will look great and feel even better.

[aigel]

If the girlfriend gives you trouble about the current state of the seats, tell her to either put up the money for the repair or to zip it. And PLEEZ don't tell her how much people are offering for the seats here. She would never understand. (Neither do I, actually!) Anyway, hold on to the seats and save money for your mechanical updates.

George

[ubiquity0]

Sell the seats & buy a Neon for your girlfriend

[vash]

can you wrap some cheap seat covers over them and wait until you can afford it get them fixed right?

[jkarolyi]

Those seats, as they sit, would fetch $3000 easily, just so you know.