1963 Seat Installation

[Frank D.]

Re: 1963 Seat Installation

Not to hijack but in the original red carpet picture above - there are three 'flaps' -- 1 in front and 1 on each side.
So the front flap flips down over the bolts and forward edge of the two seat tracks....right ?
and the rest of the tracks' length go under the side flaps or over them ?

I would think it would be hard to adjust the seats if those side flaps flipped over the rails.

[Richard G.]

Re: 1963 Seat Installation

The carpet cut out works for the 1963. They have a unique seat height adjustment set up. Yup, you guessed it it's a 63 only option.
It wouldn't work for the seats shown in the picture as they are 1964 style. The 63 seat adjusters sit up on the top of "L" shaped brackets in the front and rear.

[Harry S.]

Re: 1963 Seat Installation

Ken, Can you post a picture of the seat back top. I'm looking to see if the seat cover is a 63 or a 64. If the seat cover is a 63 style then all you need is 63 seat frame bottoms. You can transfer everything from the 64 seat frame bottom to the 63 seat frame bottom. I suggest yoy media blast the frames and paint them. Also, if the chrome handle is pitted replace it.

If the seat cover on the seat back is the 64 style then you need the 63 seat back cover in vinyl.

[Kenneth H.]

Re: 1963 Seat Installation

Harry, Are the pictures I posted of one of my seats I post earlier in this article okay. There's one that shows the top part.

Thanks, Kenneth

[Kenneth H.]

Re: 1963 Seat Installation

Hello everyone,

I found these on the internet.
I wonder if I could get everyone to look at these frames and give me help or input:

1. are they 63's?
2. does it look as though all parts are there?
3. Are the tracks there?

Thanks, Kenneth

[Harry S.]

Re: 1963 Seat Installation

This is a 63 seatback.

[Kenneth H.]

Re: 1963 Seat Installation

Edward, Could you look at the frames below and let me know what you think.

Kenneth

[Kenneth H.]

Re: 1963 Seat Installation

Richard,

Could you look at the frames below and let me know what you think.

Kenneth

[Harry S.]

Re: 1963 Seat Installation

Kenneth, please look at... https://www.ebay.com/itm/1963-Corvet...ZXYadz&vxp=mtr

I'm not suggesting you buy these. Can the seller of the frames send you a picture of the front and rear feet. If they look like this other auction then I think your in good shape.

[Kenneth H.]

Re: 1963 Seat Installation

Harry this is a picture of my seat back.

[Kenneth H.]

Re: 1963 Seat Installation

Harry, I'll try to contact the seller and see if they can take the picture of the front and rear feet. I've got another question in to them but they haven't answered it yet.

Thanks, Kenneth

[Kenneth H.]

Re: 1963 Seat Installation

Harry,

What are the metal things you had me look at on eBay?
Are they set height adjusters?

[Harry S.]

Re: 1963 Seat Installation

Harry,

What are the metal things you had me look at on eBay?
Are they set height adjusters?

They are the two front and four rear feet. The adjust up/down and tilt on the botton of the seat frame. If the seller sends a picture of the bottom and the feet look like what I sent you then it's a 63 frame. as you can tell those feet are rare and the repops cost almost as much as I recall.

[Kenneth H.]

Re: 1963 Seat Installation

Harry, Does one go on each front leg and one on each rear leg. For a total of eight mounting brackets.
Sorry I ask so many questions but I know nothing about this stuff. I'm learning as I go.

Thanks for bearing with me, Kenneth

[Richard G.]

Re: 1963 Seat Installation

Pictured below are the brackets for the the two seats. Fronts on top.


Also required for the rear hold downs:

These are available in reproductions, for not a lot of money, as they are cheap enough to stamp out of sheet metal.

Four of these are also required;


So the rectangle shaped plate goes down on the raw fiberglass first, not on the carpet.
Then the "U" shaped stamped steel brackets.
Then the pair is bolted down.
(Don't forget the reinforcing bracket that is installed under the car. Typically it falls out when the bolts are removed)

On top of them the tapered bracket slides into the rear bracket. These are bolted to the seat and the seat is slid into them. No access to any of the bolts at the rear after the seat is slid in. The rear of the seat is locked down with the tapered fit. Where the brackets bolt to the seat adjuster is the location of the height adjustment. I suggest this is installed in the "all the way down" position. I over thought this and put them in the middle of the adjustment. I almost couldn't get my thigh between the seat and the steering wheel. All the way up would be usless for 95% of the population.

Then the "L" shaped it bolted to the seat in the front. I installed the bolt that attaches the bracket to the floor first and then the horizontal adjuster bolt. May not be the easiest method. Some may prefer to install the horizontal seat adjuster first, as I is somewhat difficult to access, then the vertical floor bolt.

Easy to see why GM dropped this complicate height adjustment in 64.