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4th gen seats in 1st gen camaro; vinyl.

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arocars

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
I've seen an upholstery kit in houndstooth to fit 4th gen seats, but not the vinyl. I have a black standard bucket interior, console, and a pair of decent, power 97 seats. I want to recover the 97 seats in 69-style black standard vinyl upholstery. I want the 'average' person to have no idea they're not original. I plan to keep the orinal seats.

I had some ideas and am open to suggestions.

I was thinking of buying the standard covers and headrest and having a shop sew them together to fit the 4th gen seats. My reservation with this that this going to leave weird seams.

The other idea is to give the shop the original bucket upholstery so they can make their own pattern and custom make the covers. That sounds pricey.

Last, buy the new standard covers and have the shop cut out and sew the pattern into new covers.

Thanks.
 
#2 ·
arocars said:
I've seen an upholstery kit in houndstooth to fit 4th gen seats, but not the vinyl. I have a black standard bucket interior, console, and a pair of decent, power 97 seats. I want to recover the 97 seats in 69-style black standard vinyl upholstery. I want the 'average' person to have no idea they're not original. I plan to keep the orinal seats.

I had some ideas and am open to suggestions.

I was thinking of buying the standard covers and headrest and having a shop sew them together to fit the 4th gen seats. My reservation with this that this going to leave weird seams.

The other idea is to give the shop the original bucket upholstery so they can make their own pattern and custom make the covers. That sounds pricey.

Last, buy the new standard covers and have the shop cut out and sew the pattern into new covers.

Thanks.
Click to expand...
I remember a post a month or so ago that showed where a guy had bought the seat covers for the original 68 seats and had them custom done to cover his 94 seats---they came out really well---I think it started out as Tips to put 4th gen seats in a first gen----good luck...snowdog
 
#3 ·
Just get the material from some-place like PUI and let the upholstery guy improvise with your guidance to insure things stay to your liking. I say improvise because the seat isn't the exact same in the center section or the bolsters. For example the stock houndstooth insert has 8 rib's, the 4th gen seat center section isn't as wide and would look out of perspective with 8 yet looks really factory with 6 ribs. Same thing with the seat bottom and the way the front edge of the seat is with the taller bolsters. You just wouldn't want it done just like the stock seat.
 
#4 ·
I am in the same boat, 1996 seats and a 67 Custom interior. The 67 seats are perfect and I don't want to cut them up. I haven't seen any 4th get covers in a custom interior style.

May end up having to buy some front upholstery and let the shop narrow and fit the centers and refinish the seats in vinyl.

Either that or buy the premade houndstooth and recover the rear seat. Its not 67 but for a driver it would look good.
 
#5 ·
Dave the pre-made 4th gen covers are '69 style and only available in black or orange. A skilled upholstery guy would have no problems working from pictures to make your 4th gen seats look close to factory '67 seats. Expect to pay about $800 for 2 custom sewn seat covers including material and installing the covers on the seats. The pre-made from YearOne would run $455 a pair and you would have to install them or pay to have them done. I think the pre-made are a great option for a '69 but don't think the market is large enough to warrent them ever doing other choices in covers.
 
#6 ·
Thanks for the ideas there Dennis, the cost would be about what I would expect for custom ones made. I have the 96 seats in the basement, its just down the priority list. There are several good places in Atlanta, just need to put both types of seats in the car and let them take a look.

The rear seats in the 69 is the same as a 67 correct? Maybe the houndstooth conversion might not be an option. You are right on the demand, there are too many differences and color choices out there for these F-bodies.
 
#7 ·
Dave I took my 4th gen seats and one of my original seats to the upholsterer and told him what I wanted done. The seats came out great and he didn't need my seat-he had 2 sets in his shop. I think it is going to come down to finding somebody who understands what the goal is and has the ability to do it. If you don't like the results, make them do it over until they get it right.
 
#9 · (Edited)
I wanted more comfortable seats and an original look. I got the idea from this post- http://www.camaros.net/forums/showthread.php?t=62702&highlight=red+vinyl I put some 95 firebird seats in mine and had my upholstery buddy design the seat covers to match the 68's. He made the covers by hand and I only have about $400 total in them. Let me know if you have any questions. Here is a picture of it:

 
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#10 ·
Thanks for the great ideas guys, I love the look of those TA and OEM looking bolstered ones. I'll go around to the various shops and see what I can come up with. I don't have a problem shipping the seats to someone who knows what we want in a resto-mod style either.

Dave
 
#11 ·
130fe said:
I wanted more comfortable seats and an original look. I got the idea from this post- http://www.camaros.net/forums/showthread.php?t=62702&highlight=red+vinyl I put some 95 firebird seats in mine and had my upholstery buddy design the seat covers to match the 68's. He made the covers by hand and I only have about $400 total in them. Let me know if you have any questions. Here is a picture of it:

Click to expand...
You got a killer deal. I was quoted $800 by a local shop several months ago.
 
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#13 ·
Got a quote today from a very talented upholstery shop to take my 4th gens and turn them into a clone of 67 Custom with the white stripes and detailing for $650. I don't really have much in the seats themselves since they aren't power but the padding is good. This is with the proper vinyl and colors. Thats definately cheaper than installing houndstooth all around.

Its a little down my priority list right now. But soon as I attack a couple carb and exhaust projects thats next.
 
#14 ·
Call this guy and tell him "Dhondagod" told you to call. His website only shows BMW but he makes seat DIY upholstery kits for all kinds of different cars. Worst case you could send him the "skins" off your 4th gen seats with a pic of the correct vinyl and he could match it for you.


http://www.creativeoptions.info/Information.htm



He's a regular on this upholstry board Im on. Here's a link to his profile

http://get-up-and-go.com/upholstery-forum/index.php?action=profile;u=3541


Could save you some bucks by installing the new skins yourself. :beers:


Chris:cool:
 
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