C1 Seats

[Joe M.]

Just received my newly covered seats from Al Knoch. When in place, should the top of the seat back rub on the underside of the soft top cover?

On one of the seat bottoms, the vinyl is pulled so tight around a corner of the frame that the stitches are already starting to pull through the vinyl. It is not visible unless without removing the seat bottom and looking at it, but I am concerned that if the stitching is already stretching the vinyl and elongating the holes, it will tear sooner than later. Hassle to box it back up and send to Al. Thought about removing the hog ring at the corner to relieve some of the stress on the vinyl. Recommendations.

[Bruce B.]

Re: C1 Seats

Joe,
Call Al or Dale at Knochs and explain the stitch pulling problem and usually they will make good.
As far as the rubbing on the deck lid it should not happen.But sometimes the foam at the top of the seat can be trimmed to stop the rubbing. Without having the car to test fit the seats in, this interference problem can occur.

[Stephen B.]

Re: C1 Seats

Bruce
Now I'm confused. I was planing on taking my 59 seats to Knoxville in March and let Al put my covers on.The only reason I'm letting Al do them is the difficulty level of a C-1. I've installed C2s and C3s ,but the C3s seem visible more difficult.Reassure me , tell me why I should do this my self and save some money too.
Stephen Barrett (21558) 59,66,71,73

[Joe M.]

Re: C1 Seats

It is easy to install new bottom springs, add burlap with wires, burlap pieces on back spring units, install new foam buns, and new listing wires. Completing that is about 75% of the project total. BUT, it is not easy to attach the vinyl to the listing wires, pull the stiff covers over the foam, AND get the seat shape looking correct. I tried on and off for 2 weeks to do so. I did get one vinyl cover attached on one back, but could never pull the stiff vinyl over the entire back of the seat unit. There were wrinkles. In hindsight, shipping seats to AK and giving them $275 to install the foam and covers from day one would have been my best move. AK has performed this hundreds of times and the finished seats look 100% correct.

[Bruce B.]

Re: C1 Seats

Steve,
Talk to Joe E., I believe he said he would not do another set of seats himself.
Knoch does great work, possibly this situation was an exception.
Bruce

[Bruce B.]

Re: C1 Seats

If you do decide to do it yourself either wait until summer or work in a very warm garage. The vinyl has to be warm to stretch properly.
A heat gun will help but a warm workplace is better.

[Garry B.]

Re: C1 Seats

Getting the vinyl on there is really a tough job. I was doing the seat covers on my '56 one week before BG judging and while trying to get the vinyl covers on I sprained a tendon in my right hand right over the center finger knuckle. That sucker turned black and blue and swelled up big time. I was lucky to find a local guy to get them done at a cost of $245 and was happy to pay it. Got them back the day before BG and was able to get it all together. I have done mid-years and even C3's, but no more C1's for me.
Garry 18531

[Stephen B.]

Re: C1 Seats

You fellows have convinced me that taking my seat frames to Knoxville and letting Al Knock install the covers is a wise decision.Thanks for your input.Sometimes you just have to give up the idea that you can do everything on you restoration.
Stephen Barrett (21558) 59,66,71,73

[Thomas H.]

Re: C1 Seats

I came across this post while searching for ideas about seat cover installation for C1's. I must agree, after covering one bottom and one back, these are very difficult seats to do. The stretching of the vinyl is the worst part. I tried pulling, pushing, prying, cursing (a lot) and heat. Heating the covers definitly helped, but they were still a bear. Took my hands about 3 days to recover.

The worst part is when you finally get everything tied down and flip the seat over and find that there is one lousy wrinkle. Had to redo the bottom seat twice to get rid of it.

Tom