Can I salvage original 1973 seat covers?

[Terry M.]

Re: Can I salvage original 1973 seat covers?

Patrick-------


Correct. The Comfortweave inert material in the original seat covers was an actual woven vinyl material. It "breathed" like any woven material. The insert material used in the reproduction seat covers has the weave pattern simply impressed into the vinyl. Of course, this eliminates the dust problem no matter what padding is attached under the insert. However, it's not technically "correct" and "as-original". It's very hard to detect, though.

Actually the difference between the real Comfort weave and what the aftermarket currently supplies is not all that hard to detect, especially for an experienced judge. We teach that difference and other interior details regularly in judging schools.

[Alan S.]

Re: Can I salvage original 1973 seat covers?

Hi,
Here's 2 examples showing Terry's point that the difference in the original and reproduction 'Comfort Weave' material is pretty easy to spot.
Regards,
Alan

Original (January 1971)


Reproduction (2004 AK)

[Joe L.]

Re: Can I salvage original 1973 seat covers?

Actually the difference between the real Comfort weave and what the aftermarket currently supplies is not all that hard to detect, especially for an experienced judge. We teach that difference and other interior details regularly in judging schools.

Terry------



By "very hard to detect" I was not referring to "microscopic" or "forensic" analysis. I was simply referring to how the seats would appear to someone looking at them from a normal viewing distance. In other words, an average person looking at two cars, one with original seat covers and one with reproduction seat covers, would not likely be able to discern the difference.

[Joe L.]

Re: Can I salvage original 1973 seat covers?

Joe--It is a black interior. I didn't notice any difference between the new and old covers except except for the change in construction eliminating the foam rubber. So they must have been made later than 1970. I will get out the old covers and compare them when I get home in a couple of weeks.

Patrick------


Here is a photo of what a "french seam" looks like:


DSCN3077.jpg

[Bill L.]

Re: Can I salvage original 1973 seat covers?

Actually the difference between the real Comfort weave and what the aftermarket currently supplies is not all that hard to detect, especially for an experienced judge. We teach that difference and other interior details regularly in judging schools.

I agree. Even if the originals do fail at some point the only thing one would be out is a lot of labor in attempting to re-stuff the pleated area where the deteriorated foam turns to dust.

I again maintain that if I was not such a newbie there is no doubt I would have attempted to save the originals. The repro foam and covers just do not compare to the originals.

This is one of the easier things to detect IMHO and this coming from someone who will likely never be in a position to judge.


Bill

[Terry M.]

Re: Can I salvage original 1973 seat covers?

Terry------



By "very hard to detect" I was not referring to "microscopic" or "forensic" analysis. I was simply referring to how the seats would appear to someone looking at them from a normal viewing distance. In other words, an average person looking at two cars, one with original seat covers and one with reproduction seat covers, would not likely be able to discern the difference.

I agree that 90+ percent of the public is not likely to discern the difference. NCRS tends to attract the remaining <10% and those trained to be judges are a far lesser percentage. There is no need for microscopic or forensic analysis. My eyesight is 20/6000 (that is not a typo) and I can still tell the difference from five feet away. If I can do it from that distance someone with better eyesight can also easily do it. NCRS interior judges commonly kneel beside the open car door, so their view of the upholstery is easily up close & personal. So reproduction upholstery will be a hit at the drive-in, but not so much at NCRS meets. It is not the end of the earth once CDCIF is applied to the material anyway.

[Patrick B.]

Re: Can I salvage original 1973 seat covers?

Patrick------


Here is a photo of what a "french seam" looks like:


[ATTACH=CONFIG]57568[/ATTACH]

Joe---- The change from the "french seam" in your photo to the simple overlap seam must have taken place with the 1970 model year or very early in that year which started in January rather than August. I am attaching photos of the overlap seam in my original seat bottom which is dated March 13, 1970. It is identical to the GM seat bottoms I bought in 1976 except for the foam as I discused previously. I agree that the french seam is more elegant but I'm glad that 70's don't have them because that would have added to my frustration with having to replace good original seat covers simply because of the foam issue.