Years ago I did that project on "The Toy". I got the seat covers from Al Knock (don't know if they're still in business) but don't recall where I got the replacement foam pieces. I'd suggest investing in a hog ring pliers as that will make things a little easier. Overall it was a straight forward process, just a little time consuming. One tip my brother-in-law gave me when putting things back together was to lay the cushions face down and use a 2x4 to kneel on to compress the foam while reattaching the hog rings. That technique worked like a champ!
Also on the project list was replacing the convertible top. After doing some research I decided to take it to a shop and have it done. At first they weren't going to take in on until I told them that the replacement seat covers and top came from Al Knock. That bit of info changed their mind which told me of the respect they had for the quality of Knock's products. Don't know if that still holds any water but it did at the time. btw - the shop asked me who did the install of the seat covers and when I replied that I did their comment was "Nice job".
I had to replace the seat covers on my '73 when it was less than a year old because the finish was peeling off of the bonded leather. I talked Chevrolet into letting me do the install if they provided the seat covers.
Besides the hog ring pliers, you will also need a tool that is basically a T-handle with a hook on the long end that is used to pull the short wires through the foam and hook them on the cross wires under the seat.
While I don't know where Chevrolet gets there seat covers, I would also recommend Al Knoch covers as I've heard a lot of good things about them over the years. FWIW, the covers that Chevrolet provided are still looking good after 70,000 miles and 48 years.
1973 L-82 4 spd
Hi, I myself redid the seats in my 72 about 2 years ago, I didn't do the actual work of recovering them, but I purchased the covers & foam from Topflight (Corvette America), I did have the frames weld reinforced, added all new springs, and then had frames & tracks black powder coated.
The actual cover install was done by a Johnny C in S.E. Philadelphia, Pa. who has been doing upholstery work for many years it cost me around $1800 for both seats between materials and labor.
But so much better riding with new springs & foam.
Alex
I had my 73 seats covers installed back in 1994 with Al Knox’s leather and new foam
yhe place that did the work did not do a very good job but they did fix it
a few years ago I bought new covers from Willcox, Corvette America leather. I am going to see if I can get them installed this spring. I was going to try it myself but I think it will be better to have them done by a pro.
Brian - NCM Lifetime Member
73 coupe L48, Flat-top pistons, Performer RPM Heads, Crane Cam and roller rockers, Holley 650 vac sec. Performer intake,
3.55 gear BTO 200-4R trans,
Leather seats, Seatbelt Plus 3point seatbelts, Pioneer CD player
Magnaflow Exhuast System
I sent mine off to Corvette America to be redone (years ago - don't know if they still do it). I had one frame that need repair, so they did that and new foam and covers. They turned out great.
I redid mine on my '75 a few years ago. Bought the covers and new foam from Corvette America. The only issue I had was the sides of the new covers did not cover all the way down, but I cut the bottom part off of the old covers and patched that in. This worked fine. The other issue I had was in pulling the wires that pull the back of the cover to the frame under the seat, many of the wires snapped off. I don't know if they were not hardened right or if I was doing it wrong (I had to pull quite hard to get them in place), but I filled in with the original wires and the seats look and work fine now.
So, my question is Leather or vinyl? It's not going to be a show car just a 10-footer! I'll hardly drive it more than 500 miles a year. What's easier to install if you're doing it yourself?
I've installed leather covers on a couple of mid-years and my own '73. Don't really believe there would be much difference in difficulty of installation with either kind.
The only two tools you'll need would be hog ring pliers and the T-handle with the hook in the end to pull the wires through the foam while you hook it up.
1973 L-82 4 spd
According to what I read, the original covers on the '75 were leather on top, and vinyl on the sides, so that is what I used. Frankly I can't tell the difference between the top and the sides -- they look similar to me.
Just redid my seat covers..They turned out great! Bought the covers off eBay for under 300 bucks. Added new foam from Top Flight and new hardware from Blairs!
Look very good. You did a good job!
1973 L-82 4 spd