Unsporting my Sport Seats

Jameel · 07-20-2016, 07:26 PM

I just picked up some SC-era sport seats in leather. They are in great shape and I love the look and how they hold me in on the curves. But I have a problem. They are uncomfortable. I'm 6'1", with 250 lbs of well-distributed mid-40's sort of flab, not all that wide shouldered, and 42"waist. I've sat in a few sets of these now (for maybe 20 minutes tops), and that's what drove me to find a set for my car, which had some really worn comfort seats installed. The seat bottoms are fine, bolstering doesn't impinge or cause discomfort at all. Its the seat back bolsters that are causing me some issue. I drove up to Road America last week for the vintage races (4 hour drive one way) and about an hour in my back started to ache. The bolsters are pushing on my lats, and in turn I feel like my kidneys have a constant dull pain. It's not to the point of actual pain, but it's bad enough that it distracts me from the enjoyment of driving, especially on this longer drive. So I'd love to keep the seats for both the support (too much here, obviously) and for the look. But I was wondering if something could be adjusted by an upholsterer to make them a little less restrictive up top? I should add that both my brother and my father complain a little about the seats (and they are both wider than me) but in general they seem okay with them once settled in for a while.

I should add that I've driven a '71 S coupe with factory sport seats (well-worn padding, so quite broken in) and although those were sort of hard edged and encroaching, once I settled in after 20 minutes, I loved them. No pain or ache at all.

bigdaddy7115 · 07-20-2016, 08:17 PM

Those seats are nice wish they where in mine

Bill Douglas · 07-20-2016, 08:25 PM

I've got the same in my 911SC Sport.

Hehe, when I say 911SC Sport it is a build they did for the UK with recaros, 16" wheels, whale of a tail, bilseins, sunroof and other stuff.

Back on topic; yup, I love mine although they are very worn out looking compaired with yours.

RSBob · RSBob's Garage

I am sure someone would be willing to trade you for some nice regulars, which is far cheaper than having the seats redone.

dos531 · dos531's Garage

Id say pick up a pair of non-sport seats, and put the sports in storage. Or if you dont plan to sell the car ever, just sell the sport seats. Good condition ones bring a pretty penny!

MBAtarga · 07-21-2016, 05:35 AM

In my opinion, "unsporting" those seats would be like sending a set of pristine RSR finish fuchs off to get chromed! Please don't do it - sell them and buy some regular seats.

LUFTKUL · 07-21-2016, 05:46 AM

Un-sporting is not smart. Regular seats are stupid cheap. Like almost 10 to 1 in the market.

I also find Sport Seats not all that comfortable after about 15 minutes of street driving. Regular seats have just the right amount of bolstering for spirited cruising and long trips.

I believe there are some 944 sport seats that have slightly less bolstering than Sports, but more than regular seats. Might look for those in a trade.

tdw28210 · tdw28210's Garage

What color is your car? I have some very cool plaid SC Comfort seats for sale.

billybek · billybek's Garage

Those are too nice to screw around with!
I agree with those who said to set them aside or sell and install some comfort seats or maybe some other recaro alternative...
Maybe you just need to get used to those seats or the seats need to get used to you?

Jameel · 07-21-2016, 09:55 AM

I'm not going to mess with them. They really are too nice. I'll just live with them for a while and see if we eventually get along.

garment · garment's Garage

I have a set of black leather seats from my '83SC. If you want to do a trade, PM me. Thanks!

bhmkv · bhmkv's Garage

If your close to CT I would consider a trade. I have regular none sport black leather.

Bill Douglas · 07-21-2016, 02:34 PM

I remember that you can pull the back padding (the bit your back rests against) forward and put a lumbar support in at just the right place. It's stitched top and bottom, not at the sides, so try this as it's an easy change and see if it helps.

shaunmbenson · shaunmbenson's Garage

+1 keep original and find comfort seats. They aren't hard to find but great sport seats are tougher

Tidybuoy · 07-21-2016, 04:22 PM

I have what you need.
You have what I need.

Mine: 1994 964 Black Leather, heated, 4way power, perfect condition... Let's trade

Jameel · 07-21-2016, 04:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill Douglas

I remember that you can pull the back padding (the bit your back rests against) forward and put a lumbar support in at just the right place. It's stitched top and bottom, not at the sides, so try this as it's an easy change and see if it helps.

That's the kind of info I was hoping for. A little tweak that doesn't disrupt. I will give this a shot.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tidybuoy

I have what you need.
You have what I need.

Mine: 1994 964 Black Leather, heated, 4way power, perfect condition... Let's trade

I actually have a second set of sport seats, later style (also really nice leather that I'll be selling), that are four-way power. They are a little better comfort-wise, but I like the looks of the earlier ones. And the deal killer on the power seats is that they raise the seating position just enough that the top of my head brushes the headliner unless I slink down a little. The early sport seats are lower than the later ones. So unless your power comfort seats are lower than my power seats, they won't work for me.

pmax · pmax's Garage

The seats have been rebuilt and looks somewhat overbuilt to me which might be causing your problems.

Here's an original seat

FS Black leather Sport seats

MARISOL78sc · 07-22-2016, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pmax

The seats have been rebuilt and looks somewhat overbuilt to me which might be causing your problems.

Here's an original seat

FS Black leather Sport seats

Those look like later sport seats in your pic PMAX. Early sport seat have more support and IMHO and from what they demand price wise more desirable. If the said seats the OP posted were in cork concourse and for sale I would easily spend 3k-4k. A set in cork Pasha sold for 3500 recently in concourse condition they sold very quickly (days I believe) later not so much and priced much lower.

Jameel · 07-22-2016, 06:50 PM

This evening I tested Bill Douglas' suggestion. I tucked a large folded microfiber towel behind the center panel down near the lumbar and it felt noticeably better right away. Went for a 20 mile drive and they were definitely better. No pain so far and more comfortable overall. Not enough time in them to say mission accomplished , but it looks like this is going to work. Tomorrow I'll swing by the fabric store for some proper foam.

pmax · pmax's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by MARISOL78sc

Those look like later sport seats in your pic PMAX. Early sport seat have more support and IMHO and from what they demand price wise more desirable. If the said seats the OP posted were in cork concourse and for sale I would easily spend 3k-4k. A set in cork Pasha sold for 3500 recently in concourse condition they sold very quickly (days I believe) later not so much and priced much lower.

These are the later sports seats, quite a different design from the seats in question here.