Seat Covers

[Debi L.]

I just purchased a '65 and it has the vinyl seats, pretty tough shape as they should be. I need new seats! What are the best ones out there? Is it better to buy from Al Knoch or ? or have an upholstery shop do the work.

I will be asking a lot of stupid questions because this is my first Vette since the 80's. I had a '65 then but things are a lot different now. They didn't have all these after market companies and the Chevy Dealership stocked parts. I have a lot to learn. Fun fun fun. Thanks

[Michael G.]

Re: Seat Covera

I just purchased a '65 and it has the vinyl seats, pretty tough shape as they should be. I need new seats! What are the best ones out there? Is it better to buy from Al Knoch or ? or have an upholstery shop do the work.

I will be asking a lot of stupid questions because this is my first Vette since the 80's. I had a '65 then but things are a lot different now. They didn't have all these after market companies and the Chevy Dealership stocked parts. I have a lot to learn. Fun fun fun. Thanks

There are two companies (I believe) making interior components.....Corvette America and Al Knoch which many re-sellers offer. Both have quality interiors with Al Knoch priced slightly higher. You'll most likely save money by buying through one of the re-sell companies. I've purchased the majority of my items through Keen Parts.

[Tracy C.]

Re: Seat Covers

Congrats on you Purchase and welcome to the NCRS. I've found for interior products, Willcox Corvette Supply usually has the best deal. They sell Corvette America products. As to the installation, make sure your installer knows what they doing. Al Knock sells a do it yourself video too.

http://www.willcoxcorvette.com/

good luck and never hesitate to ask questions.

[Paul S.]

Re: Seat Covers

Congrats on you Purchase and welcome to the NCRS. I've found for interior products, Willcox Corvette Supply usually has the best deal. They sell Corvette America products. As to the installation, make sure your installer knows what they doing. Al Knock sells a do it yourself video too.http://www.willcoxcorvette.com/good luck and never hesitate to ask questions.

I concur on Wilcox for the supplier-they sell both Al Knoch and Corvette America covers. You'll want to buy new foam, burlap, and wires (rather than reusing the existing wire which will be rusty--yeah you can paint it, but the wire isn't expensive) with the seats, and I suggest buying a second seat clip install kit (that includes the seat clips and wires--so you have spares if you bugger up too many clips). You'll also need a pair of hog ring pliers and the seat clip pulling tool.

Corvette America has an online video on how to install, which is helpful. See here: http://www.corvetteamerica.com/video/65_67scInstall/

I personally would not want to hire someone to do the seats for you unless you know them very well. You cannot see the numerous ways a seat upholsterer can gerry-rig the work, given the way the seats are constructed.

I did my 67 seats (vinyl) this spring--it took me 16 hours over two days to do one seat; the second seat took about 6 hours. Now that I've done it, I could probably get both done in about 5 hours per seat. It's tough on your fingers and hands, but a do-able project.

My seat frames were in good shape, so all I did was clean them up a bit, and regrease the sliders. I did not repaint them. If the frames are rough, you can recondition them or pay to have it done (I know that Corvette America offers that--I cannot vouche for their work because I didn't use them).

[Alan D.]

Re: Seat Covers

If you think the seats are still the original then document them with LOTs of pictures and measurements. (double check they are correct in color)

[Bob J.]

Re: Seat Covers

If you think the seats are still the original then document them with LOTs of pictures and measurements. (double check they are correct in color)

Agree with Alan on take pics of your old ones.
I'd prefer to use your old foam if its useable.
The density of the new foam is not the same as original foam.
I find seats using new foam uncomfortable. Like sitting ON top of the seat rather than in it.
Best of luck, Bob

[Paul S.]

Re: Seat Covers

Both venders make quality seat covers.but, one thing i would suggest ,is to send the seats to the company that makes the cover. I have done many cars and had many seat covers installed and anytime i have had a local upolstery shop install corvette seat covers and if i don't like how they fit when they are done, the first thing they say is " the company didn't make the covers right, the foam was too thick, , i can't get them to fit because they weren't sewn right.etc.etc" send the seats to knoch or corvette america, let them install them and then if theres a problem they can't blame anyone ,they should fit and look the best.

[Debi L.]

Re: Seat Covers

Great information. I know I am in good hands here. I will take photos and give CA and/or Al Knoch a call to see about sending the seats in. The only thing bad about that is I will have to find an apple crate so I can keep driving it!

[Michael G.]

Re: Seat Covers

Great information. I know I am in good hands here. I will take photos and give CA and/or Al Knoch a call to see about sending the seats in. The only thing bad about that is I will have to find an apple crate so I can keep driving it!

...........apple crate is too tall, I've always used a pop crate...

[Gene M.]

Re: Seat Covers

Both venders make quality seat covers.but, one thing i would suggest ,is to send the seats to the company that makes the cover. I have done many cars and had many seat covers installed and anytime i have had a local upolstery shop install corvette seat covers and if i don't like how they fit when they are done, the first thing they say is " the company didn't make the covers right, the foam was too thick, , i can't get them to fit because they weren't sewn right.etc.etc" send the seats to knoch or corvette america, let them install them and then if theres a problem they can't blame anyone ,they should fit and look the best.

Paul is 100% correct here. Corvette America has done many seat covers for me and chapter members. They fit them beautifully. We send them the seat frames all restored and read to cover. The only other way to cover them and be happy is do it yourself.......!

[Paul S.]

Re: Seat Covers

Agree with Alan on take pics of your old ones.
I'd prefer to use your old foam if its useable.
The density of the new foam is not the same as original foam.
I find seats using new foam uncomfortable. Like sitting ON top of the seat rather than in it.
Best of luck, Bob

Interesting comment--I guess to each his own. The reason why I recovered my seats was not appearance (they looked fine--I discovered when I tore them down that they had been re-done in 1995) but because they were not comfortable for longer than about 90 minute drives. The new seat foam is thicker, yes. One would expect that because years of "butt in seat" will compress them. I never sat in a new C2 Corvette to vouche for how the seats "sat", but I suspect the butt feel wasn't one of sitting in the seats either.

I'd be leery about reusing old foam with new covers--not sure what the end result will look like. The old seat foam will be compressed and new covers over old foam may be a loose fit.

[Michael H.]

Re: Seat Covers

Great information. I know I am in good hands here. I will take photos and give CA and/or Al Knoch a call to see about sending the seats in. The only thing bad about that is I will have to find an apple crate so I can keep driving it!

I bought my 67 dark saddle seat covers through Wilcox ( Corvette America ) and saved ablout 15% and I had Corvette America install them with new foam , etc. I am very happy with they way they turned out, took about 3-4 weeks and I would do it again.

Mike

[Bob J.]

Re: Seat Covers

Interesting comment--I guess to each his own. The reason why I recovered my seats was not appearance (they looked fine--I discovered when I tore them down that they had been re-done in 1995) but because they were not comfortable for longer than about 90 minute drives. The new seat foam is thicker, yes. One would expect that because years of "butt in seat" will compress them. I never sat in a new C2 Corvette to vouche for how the seats "sat", but I suspect the butt feel wasn't one of sitting in the seats either.

I'd be leery about reusing old foam with new covers--not sure what the end result will look like. The old seat foam will be compressed and new covers over old foam may be a loose fit.

Yes, I'd agree to each his own. If your original foam is beat I'd still look for original foam but that's just my preference.Without question, the new foam is a denser composition than old foam. Take a passenger seat back foam and compare to new foam if you doubt this. On local road tours I can spot who has new foam just by how high people sit in their seats. Bob

[Scott M.]

Re: Seat Covers

I recently recovered the seats in my '67 with new leather covers, burlap and foam from AK. It was very straightforward using their DVD. I had heard that the foam from CA was much harder than the AK foam. The AK foam was pretty soft when working with it. I am very happy with how they turned out and how comfortable they are.

seats2.JPG

[Debi L.]

Re: Seat Covers

Thanks for sharing your experiences. I think it might just need the new foam as its sitting pretty low. As you said it has had a lot of "butt" time on that seat! I think I will keep my eye out for a sale from Willcox and see if I can't save a few bucks buying the seat covers, foam, installation kit etc. and spend the savings on one of many other things that always needs to be done. Thanks for the opinions.