What's the Deal w/ These "Sport Seats"?

R_Builder · 12-02-2008, 07:01 AM

Hi all. What is your take on these seats? They were in my 71T Targa parts car when I bought it. They sure look like early Recaro Sport Seats, but what is throwing me is that they both appear to be for the driver's side and they were bolted to the FLOOR instead of the factory points. The forward tilt mechanisms are left/right versions, but certainly do not look like the real ones I have seen before...

All the adjustment knobs have the correct Recaro logo on them, but with my experience with seats, that is all I have to work from. Clearly, these seats were installed by a PO (versus the factory or a dealer) and he/she may have just put in what they had or could find. Were there aftermarket knock-offs of these seats back in the late 70's or early 80's? Here are some pictures...

So folks, are these seats worth restoring/saving? If they are genuine, what do early sport seats go for these days? Perhaps at least one of them has a place in my current project...

Thanks for your help!

robmog · 12-02-2008, 08:59 AM

they are real sport seats maybe vintage 72, the sliders look hand made or repaired.
nicely finished complete pairs used to go for $4500. nowadays?
i'd be interested in one if the price was right.

Mycar · 12-02-2008, 09:15 AM

If the knob at the front is the recline/back control, then they look to me like pre 69 SWB Recaros. I stand to be corrected.

Regards, Mike

Hoppertn · 12-02-2008, 09:26 AM

Without seeing them first hand, I'm inclined to agree with Robmog on the visual ID, they look very very similar to my 1972 sport seat. Either way, you've got a couple of very desirable original frames and hardware which should recoup some of your cost in the parts car!

R_Builder · 12-02-2008, 10:52 AM

Great. Thanks for the info, guys! Do we agree that they are both driver's side seats?

jpnovak · 12-02-2008, 11:16 AM

These would be correct for 71. Basketweave centers and perforated bolsters with grained/smooth backs and sides.

The sliders and tilting brackets are not correct. The original tilting brackets would have mounted to the tub on the center tunnel and outside seat rail. The sliders would have mounted to the tilting base and used the notches on the center tunnel as the position stops.

Great seats. Spend the money and have the recovered with the right fabric. It will be worth it in terms of resale.

If it were me, I would re-hogring that one bolster, install them and drive. They are really comfortable and have much better support compared with the stock seats.

70SATMan · 12-02-2008, 02:27 PM

Those are not correct for 69-73. Those are SWB evidenced by the slide release lever protruding out of the front of the seat. Early SWB Recaros also came perforated. The slides look right but the tilt brackets are not Porsche, maybe VW???

Anyway, CONGRATS! Those are actual Porsche Recaros, more rare than the 69-73 version. Some of the perf material is original, some is not. Looks like a cheap recover somewhere down the line. The early SWB seats were not handed so if you had sport seats on both sides, they were the same.

I would think you should be able to find someone to trade them for the correct 70-71 version for your car including the correct tilt brackets. If you want to learn most everything about your seats go to the Early S Registry and search.

Cheers,

911K · 911K's Garage

Those are one year only '68 sport seats. The adjusters at the bottom of the seats and the headrests are how you can tell. They didn't start the right and left handed adjusters for the backrests until the '69 and later sport seats as far as I know.

Oregon Cab · 12-02-2008, 03:11 PM

I'd be interested in hearing a price on one as well.... provided you are parting with them. :>

tangerine911S · 12-02-2008, 04:04 PM

Also interested if for sale and priced right. Let me know...

R_Builder · 12-02-2008, 07:46 PM

Once again, thanks for even more valuable info! As suggested, I will have to do some more research. It is interesting... my first impression when I saw them in the parts car (yes, parts car!) was hot and cold... either these are really something or real POS's. First time I sat in them, I didn't even particularly like the feel, and I am tall and skinny! Go figure. Maybe they will feel better to my a$$ now that I know more. Best go try them out... how do you think they would look in an R clone???