I'm working on restoring a 77 vette and the seats (leather) are kind of cracked. My debate is to just replace with the leather cover parts, or is it easier to replace foam and leather in one shot? Are both typically necessary?

I also need some brake work done, so if anyone knows a good vette mechanic in the CT area, please recommend...

Thanks!

|QUOTE|DrivingUSA said:
I'm working on restoring a 77 vette and the seats (leather) are kind of cracked. My debate is to just replace with the leather cover parts, or is it easier to replace foam and leather in one shot? Are both typically necessary?
|/QUOTE|

I just bought seats (foam with leather/vinyl already installed) for my '79.
The old seat cushions were a cinch to take out, but getting the new ones in was a MAJOR MAJOR MAJOR pain in the ass!

I still can't see it being any easier to replace just the cover. That can take a lot of work to. Plus, you won't get new foam. My old seat foam was shot! So it was definately worth it to get the foam and covers together. If your foam is fine, you may want to do just the covers (if you think you're up to it) because you'll have an easier time getting the cushions back in place! The reason it was such a pain for me is that the new foam was so thick, that I had trouble lining up the support bar with the clips on the seat frame. I had to REALLY smush the hell out of the cushion to get the bar to line up with the clip.

Let us know what you wind up doing!

Good luck!

One thing to add to Adam's post. Some vendors, Zip and Mid America(Ithink) will install the covers if you buy the foam and covers together. If that is true, you can have the complete "new" seat shipped to you

You can also send your seats to Ecklers and they will do the installation for you as well but for a price. I believe the labor charge is like $200. I have seen some of their work since they are right down the road from me in Titusville FL, but again...its pretty pricey for them to do it for you.

I just did my 75 seats and replacing the foam is the way to go. If the covers are bad the foam is most likely shot also. I took my seats apart sanded and painted all the frame parts then had a local shop put them together for $100 . Well worth it if you have not done it before. Covers and foam are enough $$$ and you will be looking at them for some time so it is money well spent to have them done right.

Just an idea for even seat wear here. I swap my driver with passenger side every year. It costs about $30 bucks, but they will wear much better. I also keep seat covers on them when not showing, that seems to help catch all the little dust and stuff and the seams stay very clean.