Seat Back Release Levers on the Driver's side for both seats on a 196 - Forums - Official C3 Vette Registry

SPONSOR AD

Support our Vendors! | Advertise Here

Topic: Seat Back Release Levers on the Driver's side for both seats on a 196

in Forum: C3 Interior

Already a Member?
Login
Not yet a Member?
Register for Free!

Seat Back Release Levers on the Driver's side for both seats on a 196 (1/9)
1/26/18 8:12am

JohnnyVette
Standard Member
Send Private Message

Paradise, TX - USA

Vette(s):
1st - 1986 Targa Top
2nd - 2004 Convertible
3rd - 1998 Convertible
Current - 1969 Convertible

Joined: 1/14/2018
Posts: 31

Good morning everyone,

Just a simple question and please forgive me if it has been asked previously. My 1969 convertible seats both have the seat back release levers on the Left side of the seat. I found this to be strange for the passenger seat but maybe they were designed this way intentionally?

Does anyone understand why even the passenger seat back lever is on the Left side of the seat just like the driver's side?

Thanks for your help. I'm loving this site as you have all been an awesome help!

Johnny

Quote

Our Sponsors help support C3VR

Re: Seat Back Release Levers on the Driver's side for both seats on a (2/9)
1/26/18 1:40pm

manchestershark

Lifetime Member
Send Private Message

Equinunk, PA - USA

Vette(s):
1972 conv, 4-speed, 350, 200hp, numbers match, rally wheels, war bonnett yellow w/white top. good condition, nice driver.

Joined: 10/31/2007
Posts: 2387

Sounds like two driver side seat backs are installed.

______________

Click on image for full view

Quote

Re: Seat Back Release Levers on the Driver's side for both seats on a (3/9)
1/26/18 2:46pm

danascar
Standard Member
Send Private Message

Germansville, PA - USA

Vette(s):
1974 Coupe 358ci 4 speed Black w/Medium Saddle interior w/79 custom leather seats. . 1999 C5 Convertible, 6 speed, Atomic orange, Oak interior.

Joined: 1/28/2010
Posts: 858

Yup what Mark (Manchester) said. Someone sometime replaced pass seat or back with a drivers side.

|UPDATED|1/26/2018 11:46:52 AM (AZT)|/UPDATED|

______________

DanT

Quote

Re: Seat Back Release Levers on the Driver's side for both seats on a (4/9)
1/26/18 4:20pm

Vman73
Former Member
Send Private Message

Gig Harbor, WA - USA

Vette(s):
1973 L82 4 Speed Coupe - Very original, well documented driver/survivor. 2016 Bend Regional NCRS Top Flight.

Joined: 10/2/2014
Posts: 405

I could be wrong but I think your seats are legit. I did some work on a �69 vert several years ago and I seem to remember that both seat releases were on the left side. I also thought it was strange and perhaps the intent was for the driver to have tilt access for both of the seat backs ?? 68-69 cars have many things not found on later C3�s.

______________
John Sigmund

valkman57@sbcglobal.net

NCRS Member 61302

NW NCRS Chapter Member

Duct tape is the new Black !!

Quote

Re: Seat Back Release Levers on the Driver's side for both seats on a (5/9)
1/26/18 4:46pm

That wouldn't surprise me!

______________

DanT

Quote

Re: Seat Back Release Levers on the Driver's side for both seats on a (6/9)
1/26/18 6:25pm

Thank you all for your replies. I couldn't find anything on my internet searches but I finally found a photo of a 1969 Convertible and it was a good photo of the interior with the top down. It also had the Seat Back Levers on the Left side of both seats. Who would have ever guessed? LOL. I believe you might be correct in that Chevrolet designed it for the Driver's access more than that of the passenger. I feel better seeing another 69 the same way as that makes me feel more confident that mine is actually correct.

Thanks again everyone! I really appreciate your time and your Corvette expertise.

Johnny

Quote

Re: Seat Back Release Levers on the Driver's side for both seats on a (7/9)
1/26/18 10:55pm

Adams' Apple

Lifetime Member
Moderator
Send Private Message

Duncanville, TX - USA

Vette(s):
#1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/ Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight" #2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas

Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20128

As far as I know, ALL of the Shark car seats were meant to be interchangeable from side/side until the '78 Pace car, with the new design seats. You'll also notice the seat adjustment(front/back) lever is on the same side of both seats, again indicating the seats are ambidextrous. On the convertible cars, the shoulderbelt cut-out operation & trim were added on the assy line.

______________

Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56
My Link

(click for Texas-sized view!) NCRS

"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"

Quote

Re: Seat Back Release Levers on the Driver's side for both seats on a (8/9)
1/27/18 11:48pm

Just stopped over to a friends garage tonight to help out on a project and remembered he has a set of original �68 seats. One year older than your �69 but confirmed that the tilt controls were on the left side of both seats

______________
John Sigmund

valkman57@sbcglobal.net

NCRS Member 61302

NW NCRS Chapter Member

Duct tape is the new Black !!

Quote

Re: Seat Back Release Levers on the Driver's side for both seats on a (9/9)
2/26/18 9:43am

spinalman
Standard Member
Send Private Message

Lancaster, PA - USA

Vette(s):
1970 Green Convertible

Joined: 8/24/2008
Posts: 21

Think about it. The seat back release on the left side makes it easier for the driver sitting there to forward the seat back to get better access to the rear storage area.

Jan Gerhart

Quote

Our Sponsors help support C3VR