54 Seat Height

[John S.]

I am restoring a 54 and have recently had the seats done. I had new covers and buns stretched over new seat spring assemblies. the Drivers seat is 7 in thick (ht from bottom of frame to top welt). The unit sets 1 in off the floor on the seat tracks. This gives me 3 1/2 in clearence between the top of the seat and the steering wheel. My old seats were so broken down I have no reference as to what the measurements should be. All I know is the clearence is too tight to be safe.

The Passenger seat is only 5 1/2 in thick setting 1 in off the floor. It almost looks like these are reversed, but the bottoms of each spring assy are correct for their current positions.

Any feedback on correct dimensions will help me I.D. the problem.

John

[Willard M.]

Re: 54 Seat Height

Forget about what is correct or original. People in 1954 were tiny. If you want to drive that thing at all have the driver's seat down as much as possible. I had my trim shop take 1-2 inches off by tightening the springs down. Now my legs can fit under the wheel rather than splayed to each side. I bet the judges won't even notice, but so what. Drive the thing! Bill

[John S.]

Re: 54 Seat Height

Right on !! I was interested in the correct heights to see if it improved the situation - But - regardless, I intend to re-engineer the springs (if required) to allow me to drive the car comfortably and saftely. That's why I rebuilt the car. The judges that will be viewing this car probably won't even know what year it is. Thanks for the feedback Bill. John

[Chris S.]

Re: 54 Seat Height

the drivers seat frame has a cut out on the left side for the slide arm lever.

[Chuck G.]

Re: 54 Seat Height

Forget about what is correct or original. People in 1954 were tiny. If you want to drive that thing at all have the driver's seat down as much as possible. I had my trim shop take 1-2 inches off by tightening the springs down. Now my legs can fit under the wheel rather than splayed to each side. I bet the judges won't even notice, but so what. Drive the thing! Bill

I had my drivers seat "shortened" by pulling down the springs. I needed to get more leg room. I'm 6'4", 250# and needed every extra millimeter to get some leg room.

When I first got my seats back from the upholstery shop, they were so puffed and overstuffed that I had only a few inches between my thighs and the bottom of the steering wheel.

Chuck

[John S.]

Re: 54 Seat Height

Chuck - The seats (both driver and pass.) appear to be padded corectly, the leather/cloth transition of the covers hit right on the lower frame of the spring assy. - but - I only have 3 in clearence between the seat and the steering wheel. I am a little south of 6'4" tall and a few rocks short of 250# but I still have trouble fitting under the wheel. I did find some GM info. Ref: page 102 of Vol.1 of Nolan Adams Restoration Guide. There's a graphic of proper heights. It showes the seat ht.= 8 in. (thats about where mine is) but it also showes a 5 in seperation from the wheel to the seat (that adds up to 13 in seat-to-floor). Something must have gone wrong when they put my car together, because I barely have 11 in from the floor to the wheel, and there is NO adjustment to speak of in the mounting of the steering shaft position (ala wheel). I will probably do what you did - pull the seat cushion down. Thanks for the feedback - it looks like I'm not the only one to run into this problem. Maybe we should recomment Al Knoch produce a thinner Spring Assy. - on that would give us some clearance. I'll call Al. --- John

[Chuck G.]

Re: 54 Seat Height

Chuck - The seats (both driver and pass.) appear to be padded corectly, the leather/cloth transition of the covers hit right on the lower frame of the spring assy. - but - I only have 3 in clearence between the seat and the steering wheel. I am a little south of 6'4" tall and a few rocks short of 250# but I still have trouble fitting under the wheel. I did find some GM info. Ref: page 102 of Vol.1 of Nolan Adams Restoration Guide. There's a graphic of proper heights. It showes the seat ht.= 8 in. (thats about where mine is) but it also showes a 5 in seperation from the wheel to the seat (that adds up to 13 in seat-to-floor). Something must have gone wrong when they put my car together, because I barely have 11 in from the floor to the wheel, and there is NO adjustment to speak of in the mounting of the steering shaft position (ala wheel). I will probably do what you did - pull the seat cushion down. Thanks for the feedback - it looks like I'm not the only one to run into this problem. Maybe we should recomment Al Knoch produce a thinner Spring Assy. - on that would give us some clearance. I'll call Al. --- John

Hi John.

I sold my 54 about 4 years ago after having owned it for 25+ years. So, I have no basis of comparison here to check your measurements.

Chris Sherman makes you and I look small. Chris is a very tall guy.....6'6" or more. If Chris sees this post, perhaps he could measure one of his 54's.

I assume that you have the correct steering wheel and steering column in the car.

Chuck

[John S.]

Re: 54 Seat Height

Chuck - Thanks for the feedback. It appears the final build just did not hit the specs GM intended. My Steering Wheel is original and correct and everything meets the GM dimensions presented in the spec sheet I referenced in my previous post except for the height of the Steering Wheel off the floor. I could get an aftermarket 15" wheel but I think I'm going to try to lower the seat cushion thickness. As is the drivers side sets taller than the passenger side anyway, if it were pasenger side ht. there would be no problem. Anyway - onward and upward - thanks again for your insight. - John

[Chris S.]

Re: 54 Seat Height

Hi John.

I sold my 54 about 4 years ago after having owned it for 25+ years. So, I have no basis of comparison here to check your measurements.

Chris Sherman makes you and I look small. Chris is a very tall guy.....6'6" or more. If Chris sees this post, perhaps he could measure one of his 54's.

I assume that you have the correct steering wheel and steering column in the car.

Chuck

Thanks Chuck - yeah at 6'9" - there is no way I am getting in
I do have my orig seats in the car
I will do some measurements - about 3" sounds right between the seat and wheel