Restoration options for EARLY SPORT SEATS

[rbogh901]

These things have some value at this point. These are not mine but they are what I have. What is the correct name for these model seats?

Before I spend a chunk o' change I'm thinking of options. Vinyl, leather, houndstooth etc.


Photos and sources appreciated.

[LakeCleElum]

Top photo looks just like the factory Recaro Sport Seats in my 73.5 "Some Value" is an understatement. They go for crazy prices if you can find them.

[rbogh901]

Well, yes, I found some. They came in my car some 20 plus years ago. They are in good condition but have a tear in the driver's bolster so I am looking at repair vs complete resto. Did you redo yours? German vinyl?

[LakeCleElum]

I had mine redone in black Vinyl in about 1992. Was a shop near Seattle that is no longer in business. Was about $450 per seat if I recall.

I was given 2 great recommendations just yesterday for a guy to do a new top on my 1960 190SL......I doubt if you want to ship to Seattle area, but PM if you want the info......

[john walker's workshop]

Steve Shepp @ custom interiors in seattle is well versed in repairing those seats. Best interior guy in the world in my humble opinion. Worked for george barris eons ago as well. He'll do that 190 top like original. Personally, i think the german vinyl shows way better than leather over time. Leather gets distressed looking, vinyl doesn't.

[RSTarga]

Vinyl is too sticky and hot

[steve911T]

Just had mine done by Tony, Autobahn Interiors. Black leather, black corduroy insert matching original seats. Expensive, but when you have seats worth 5-8k after being restored, it is worth it. Steve

[70S Targa Guy]

Originally Posted by RSTarga

Vinyl is too sticky and hot

+1 on that bro. Not that black leather doesn't get hot but it doesn't scorch your ass as bad as sun soaked black vinyl.

In addition, the feel and smell of the leather when properly conditioned is superb. I am thinking of having my sport seats that came with my 70S reupholstered as well. I am leaning towards the leather combination depicted in the seats below.

[70SATMan]

Another vote for Tony who did my 72 sport seats. I opted for the 70-71 bolsters with houndstooth centers.

To the OP, the materials should depend on the rest of the interior and your vision for the car. If you still have the original 72/73 vinyl grain in your 72 interior, I'd go with that plus houndstooth centers for a sophisticated look. While I love the look of the OG leather sport seats, I'd only do leather if I were going with leather on the rest of the interior.

There is a great new source for houndstooth on the Early S Registry forum. Looks like there will be color available other than the B/W.

[RSTarga]

Tony at Autobahninteriors is THE guy for this work.

[70S Targa Guy]

Originally Posted by 70SATMan

Another vote for Tony who did my 72 sport seats. I opted for the 70-71 bolsters with houndstooth centers.

To the OP, the materials should depend on the rest of the interior and your vision for the car. If you still have the original 72/73 vinyl grain in your 72 interior, I'd go with that plus houndstooth centers for a sophisticated look. While I love the look of the OG leather sport seats, I'd only do leather if I were going with leather on the rest of the interior.

There is a great new source for houndstooth on the Early S Registry forum. Looks like there will be color available other than the B/W.

That is excellent advice for the OP. As prices for these early cars escalate, "original" is highly desired by enthusiasts and will add value to the car. If you have the COA or are absolutely certain of the original seat material I would reupholster accordingly.

[gamin]

Any good upholstery shop should be able to do the one bolster.

[rbogh901]

Originally Posted by 70SATMan

Another vote for Tony who did my 72 sport seats. I opted for the 70-71 bolsters with houndstooth centers.

Are those the bigger bolsters or the smaller ones?




It's more than just the bolster; there's a couple problems with my middle panel.
A seam is slowly pulling and the PO must have had a key in a back pocket because there is a puncture that needs to be addressed.

[70SATMan]

Originally Posted by rbogh901

Are those the bigger bolsters or the smaller ones?


It's more than just the bolster; there's a couple problems with my middle panel.
A seam is slowly pulling and the PO must have had a key in a back pocket because there is a puncture that needs to be addressed.

I wasn't referring to the size of the bolsters on my seats but, to the style of the 70-71 bolsters in the leatherette sport seats,,,, perforated material.

Judging from the pics it looks like the original 72-73 vinyl and IMO it's one of the things that make the 72-73 cars unique. Believe me, the high end restorers have a "stock" of original material pulled from seats that have been fully recovered. No need to replace all of the covers. Maybe have new center foam or bolster foam added where needed. For instance, the sport seats that came with my 70S weren't original to the car. They were 72s in the original vinyl just like yours.

I actually sold the 72 covers that Tony took off when he converted my seats to the earlier 70-71 look. The 72 vinyl wasn't right for my car and looked out of place when compared to the rest of the original vinyl.

I would have your seats "repaired" by Tony. He should be able to piece in new panels while saving all of the other original material that's in good nic.

[rbogh901]

Look at the difference in the height of these bolsters. The top pair has very little side support in the seat portion. Are they over stuffed? The back portion is still good. My seats, as pictured above, have a relatively low center panel which results in a lower seated position, more head clearance, and more lateral support as the side bolsters stand proud, more like the second photo.

Maybe it's just the passage of the years but my buckets have more bucket than the first pair shown. Is this what they looked like new or are they saggy like a college couch?

Originally Posted by rbogh901

[rbogh901]

Originally Posted by 70SATMan

I wasn't referring to the size of the bolsters on my seats but, to the style of the 70-71 bolsters in the leatherette sport seats,,,, perforated material.

Judging from the pics it looks like the original 72-73 vinyl and IMO it's one of the things that make the 72-73 cars unique.

Thanks for the insights. Straight vinyl was the standard for '72-73? When was houndstooth used?

I like the perforated style of '70-71. Looks great without being quite so dandy as the houndstooth, which I also like, but perforated is a more race inspired flavor. As for getting hot, I rarely encounter situations where this car sits in the beating sun so that's a good point but not an issue really.

[Plays with cars]

Originally Posted by rbogh901

Look at the difference in the height of these bolsters. The top pair has very little side support in the seat portion. Are they over stuffed? The back portion is still good. My seats, as pictured above, have a relatively low center panel which results in a lower seated position, more head clearance, and more lateral support as the side bolsters stand proud, more like the second photo.

Maybe it's just the passage of the years but my buckets have more bucket than the first pair shown. Is this what they looked like new or are they saggy like a college couch?

The original seats in my 73 were doing the same thing. I found that the webbing under the bottom cushion was giving up and not supporting the seat like it should. I replaced the webbing with the "right" amount of sag to fit me the way I wanted it to. It's been great for the past 10 years. I think the top pair has the web underneath too tight.