Need some seat info on 73 911T

vonsmog · 03-28-2010, 06:26 PM

Just picked up this matching # 73' 911T. No rust, most of the paint is original. Has 92k miles, and runs strong, just blows some smoke when first started. I gave it a good cleaning and am real surprised just how nice it is! Bottom now as clean as the top! Have a set of pressure chain tensioners on order as well as new turbo valve covers. Once the parts get here it will be time for for a valve adjustment and oil change. The one thing that I don't like are the seats, I think the springs are shot. Its like sitting in a hole! and my back feels like I can feel the frame inside of the seats. Any way of making them stiffer without swapping for newer style seats? I like the ones that I have in my 76' Targa, or the later 911's. But I would like to keep this original.

RSBob · RSBob's Garage

Nice looking car and so clean. How did you do the wheel wells? The seats will probably need to be professionally rebuilt. You could try some surgery and see if you can tighten them some how, but haven't heard of any DIY.

Mine are sitting in the attic. Replaced them with some new but period looking Recaros and saved about 20 lbs. Good luck.

daepp · daepp's Garage

As to your question - have a pro remove the covers and redo the innerd.

As to your 911 - wow - very cool! I continue to be amazed how many old MFI cars survive.

Sunroof · 03-29-2010, 04:22 AM

Nice car.........
I have the same seats and indeed their is a spring frame that is covered with horsehair, burlap and then foam. Everything goes south over time. You'll need to have an upholsterer take a look at them and see if they can reinforce the spring frame or just buy another bottom portion. They are available (Ebay, Pelican, Craigslist for example). What I find annoying is the rear lower crossbar that supports both side support members. That bar can dig into your lower back! What I did was to have my seats re-upholstered. You can pick you full vinyl cover kits in matching colors. An upholsterer can pack in copious quantities of high density foam especially at the bolstering. The difference is amazing. Its like sitting in a huge lounge chair (do not forget the ascot and cigar!).

Sports seats were an option on those cars, but today they are expensive even as a very used pair. I would recommend you keep the interior original. If your seats are that bad, keep checking around for a used pair with a decent spring frame. The re-upholstery kits are not expensive (do a search on the web for suppliers). Once in awhile you'll see those rear side support members in chrome which add a lot to appearance.

Now, once you get the seats looking great, add a large velcro patch to the bottom seat and the other part to your butt! Because with these wonderful old car seats, when you take on the twisties, your going to find yourself sliding off!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You cannot say the old longhoods do not have character.....

Goodluck

Bob
73.5T

deathpunk dan · 03-29-2010, 05:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RSBob

Nice looking car and so clean. How did you do the wheel wells? The seats will probably need to be professionally rebuilt. You could try some surgery and see if you can tighten them some how, but haven't heard of any DIY.

Mine are sitting in the attic. Replaced them with some new but period looking Recaros and saved about 20 lbs. Good luck.

When faced with the same dilemma, I looked into the cost of stock seat restoration and found that GTS classics period correct sport seats made more sense. I was planning on going this route until a mint condition pair of Recaro SEs (basic 70s/80s recaro sport seats similar to E21 BMW) fell into my lap for very short money.

The stock seats are indeed heavy! The rails alone...

I say aftermarket S recaro replicas by GTS or similar. Nice car!!!

vonsmog · 07:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RSBob

Nice looking car and so clean. How did you do the wheel wells?

Thanks for the help on the seats, I'll have to take them out and see just what I have.
As for the cleaning, I just use Purple power and a scrub brush. Then hit it with the pressure washer to get it all off. I did it twice to get it that clean. I buy it in 5 gal. pails and put it in a 2 gal. sprayer. It only took all of about an hour to do.

boxster03 · 03-29-2010, 07:37 AM

Nice car. You should post over on the early 911s registry too. get lots of opinions over there about the early long hoods. as was mentioned above I would pull the original seats (I am assuming they are original comfort seats but you did not post any pictures of the seats even though that is the subject of your question) and store and buy some period aftermarket replica seats like GTS or others offer. They will look cooler and you will get much better support for the back and spirited driving than you will with the original comfort seats. good luck with the car and enjoy it

daepp · daepp's Garage

Packing them with that high density foam, as Autobahn Interiors did for me, made all the difference in the world. They were too stiff for the first year!

kidrock · 03-29-2010, 10:48 AM

that car looks to be in great shape...excellent score. IMHO, with a classic like that, I'd stick with something "period correct". I'm sure there's something out there that looks original, yet provides a certain level of comfort. Just gonna have to do some homework...

RWebb · RWebb's Garage

I would put later non-electric seats in - they are lighter, have no smelly horsehair, and more ergonomic. Pretty easy to fit. Not sure but the later seats might have started in '74.

FWIW - I have Recaro SE's in my '73.5 that a P put in.

ddubois · 12:30 PM

I had the same dilemma with my 71T I've been restoring this winter. My seats are original and in excellent condition with no rips or tears, but they were shot as far as support and comfort. I looked into having someone rebuild them but it was going to be $500-$800. I instead decided to put them in storage and buy a new set of Corbeau GTS II leathers with black microsuede seat bottom/backs for summer comfort. Cost with brackets was $1,300 for the pair. Much lighter, more support, and much more comfortable.

Deschodt · 03-30-2010, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ddubois

I looked into having someone rebuild them but it was going to be $500-$800. I instead decided to put them in storage and buy a new set of Corbeau GTS II leathers with black microsuede seat bottom/backs for summer comfort. Cost with brackets was $1,300 for the pair. Much lighter, more support, and much more comfortable.

Ha ! Finally an interesting option for older cars at 1/2 the cost of the repro-Sport seats... How high are you seating with the brackets and sliders ? Any issues matching the mounting points of the porsche ?

any chance you can send real pictures of yours in the car? Thee photos on Corbeau's site are super dark, I cannot "see" the real look of leather + microsuede, and since those are $400 more expensive than just leather/leather, I'd love to see them installed in your car, if you could take a pic ! Thanks !

Leathers are $600+ a pair ! Not bad at all...

Robert Adams · Robert Adams's Garage

My 73.5 came with really tired seats. They need everything. I came across these and couldn't resist. They are so comfortable I'm thinking of putting them in the S2 for daily driving. Highly recommend them for 72-73 cars. As I recall they are from that vintage.