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| CentralCoaster | Who makes the best replacement seats? | ||
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Senior Guru
 
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I'm due for some new seats. Who's the best deal? I heard some mixed reviews about Al Knoch.
Knoch knoch... who's there? broken stitching! My current seats are splitting... thick dry leather. Not sure if any of the fake leather options are worthwhile or not... As soon as I get said seats, I'd like to cut holes in them for some 5-pt harnesses.... |
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Posted on: 2010/9/6 6:55
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1985 Z51, ZF6 |
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| bogus | Re: Who makes the best replacement seats? | ||
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Grand Imperial Pooh-Bah
 
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I would consider a cloth option.
Cloth is gripier than leather and more durable over time. You may want to talk to my upholstery guy here in Torrance. Noel knows his shit. And his prices won't kill you. |
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Posted on: 2010/9/6 7:17
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The single biggest problem with communication is the illusion that it has taken place. - George Bernard Shaw Education is the best tool to overcome irrational fear. - me |
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| TommyT-Bone | Re: Who makes the best replacement seats? | ||
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Chair-man of the bored
 
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I have an upholstery shop that I use here in Homestead.I did mine in leather but I understand todays vinyl holds up quite well and doesn't look so cheap. I'm having my seats done for the 87 911 next week. The job with original replacement material is costing me about $900. My two vettes cost me a grand each. You can always have some custom stitching done too. Maybe you'd like this on the seat backs. :tweety: or this
 ..... Maybe not ..... |
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Posted on: 2010/9/6 12:18
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| TommyT-Bone | Re: Who makes the best replacement seats? | ||
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Chair-man of the bored
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Are you looking to re-cover or replace with a racing type seat?
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Posted on: 2010/9/6 12:28
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| BillH | Re: Who makes the best replacement seats? | ||
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The Stig Moderator
 
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I pulled the leather off the driver's bolster and sewed up 3 inches where the stitches were ripped. It was a pain in the ass to do but will hold me for a while.
Al Knoch used to be the best but I haven't worked with his stuff for many years. Thinkin' about my seats and grand for stock leather, I may just get A4's. $640 w/free ship $30 extra for submarine slot But I don't know how good the cloth is and leather is a $440 upgrade, ouch. Attach file:  F10482.jpg (0.00 KB) |
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Posted on: 2010/9/6 13:01
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Every man dies but not every man lives. |
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| PeteK | Re: Who makes the best replacement seats? | ||
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Moderator
 
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My car has had the flame red vinyl covers for 10 years now. To the average dude, they look like leather, but never spider cracked like leather always does. I paid $300 bucks for them in 2000, and will buy them again. My $3,000 car will likely never get $1200 leather covers. I wish someone would make a flame red cloth set. I would buy it in a minute.
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Posted on: 2010/9/6 14:30
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"It was really on a pass until it came apart." "Yeah. They always are." |
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| TommyT-Bone | Re: Who makes the best replacement seats? | ||
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Chair-man of the bored
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Ya, but how many times have you spent $3000 on it.  |
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Posted on: 2010/9/6 14:48
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| PeteK | Re: Who makes the best replacement seats? | ||
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Moderator
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Quote:
Because the wife occasionally reads my threads, my answer is 1. |
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Posted on: 2010/9/6 14:55
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"It was really on a pass until it came apart." "Yeah. They always are." |
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| biggrizzly | Re: Who makes the best replacement seats? | ||
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2011 Memorial Day Car Show Winner!
 
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I had my seats done by Al Knoch back in 2002 or 2003 time frame. Overall I was very happy with the leather work and stitching has been good over time. However I was disappointed that the drivers seat bolster wore through at the wire support after only a few years and less than 25k miles of driving. I don't know if this was their fault or not. It cost too much to ship the seat back for repair so I had it fixed at a local shop I really like. Next time I'll have the seats re-done locally and save a few bucks.
Al Knoch will cost at least a grand for the two seats. Foam is extra. With this said, I have lots of friends that have had Al Knoch seats and convertible tops that love the work that he has done for them. |
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Posted on: 2010/9/6 17:33
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Don Haller Corvette Club of America 94Coupe, 383Stroka, PeteK Trans, 3000stall, 3.54rear, Konis and bigger sways. |
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| bogus | Re: Who makes the best replacement seats? | ||
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Grand Imperial Pooh-Bah
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The bolsters are the worst part... they tear up quickly... pisses me off.
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Posted on: 2010/9/6 18:17
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The single biggest problem with communication is the illusion that it has taken place. - George Bernard Shaw Education is the best tool to overcome irrational fear. - me |
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| CentralCoaster | Re: Who makes the best replacement seats? | ||
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Senior Guru
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Considering these stock seats went ~75K miles before they started wearing through in spots, I find that unacceptable, esp at that price. If the vinyl is more durable I'll go with that. I wouldn't mind corbeaus I just don't want to fabricate shit or have something with limited adjustability. The last C4 I was in with race seats on a stock rack had the seats so high up you probably couldn't wear a helmet. |
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Posted on: 2010/9/7 0:58
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1985 Z51, ZF6 |
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| VetteMed | Re: Who makes the best replacement seats? | ||
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Guru Newb
 
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I'd definitely like to see some other options for cloth seats in a C4... I too am tired of looking at worn leather bolsters.
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Posted on: 2010/9/11 4:23
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| Mekanic | Re: Who makes the best replacement seats? | ||
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Registered Vendor
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my foam isn't awesome, but I threw a set of iggee covers on them a couple years ago. Look awesome, match the interior better, and holding up well.
One of these years I'll have them re-done with new foam, but with all the other things I want to do, seats are WAY down the road, and the iggee's are perfect for the meantime |
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Posted on: 2010/9/11 14:54
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~Rich Polo LT4 Yea tho I walk through the valley in the shadow of rice, I shall fear no turbo, for torque art with me. |
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| Matatk | Re: Who makes the best replacement seats? | ||
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Webmaster
 
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I really liked the iggees at first. Thought they looked great. But then I realized they make me sweat a lot more than the original seats, they stil have creases in them that never came out, didn't really fit well where it wraps around the bottom of the seat back (the cloth/velcro part) and the seams are pulling apart. I will never buy them again.
I would like to try the okoles (sp?) that some people have mentioned as far as a simple cover goes. Matthew |
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Posted on: 2010/9/11 15:08
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2002 EBM convertible, Magnusson supercharger, cam, headers, etc. 1989 Corvette...RIP |
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| 383tpimachine | Re: Who makes the best replacement seats? | ||
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Master Guru
 
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Im sportin the Cobreau A4s in microsuede. VERY happy with them. Ride a lil lower than stock so more room for my helmet and I think it was just over 1k with the 5th grommet in the driverside and 2 mounts
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Posted on: 2010/9/11 15:09
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1985 Atomic Orange 400YSIT56-Racecar build 1970 El Camino-Awaiting LSX |
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| Steve40th | Re: Who makes the best replacement seats? | ||
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Elite Guru
 
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The Cobreau A4's look great. How was install. ANy pics?
I also thought you could get cloth in C4's as an option up to 93. |
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Posted on: 2010/9/11 16:48
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Ko'u ohana aia ku'a ikaika |
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| 383tpimachine | Re: Who makes the best replacement seats? | ||
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Master Guru
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I can get some. The install was pretty simple but with their seat brackets i could, willing, to get 3 nuts on. THe 4th is under the sliding rail and I would have to spin it as I sat the bracket down. I just didnt have the hands. I may go back and install it.
I got the microsuede and I dont regret it at all. Much more comfortable than the cloth I had my stock seats redone in. |
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Posted on: 2010/9/11 16:55
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1985 Atomic Orange 400YSIT56-Racecar build 1970 El Camino-Awaiting LSX |
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| Mekanic | Re: Who makes the best replacement seats? | ||
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Registered Vendor
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Quote:
I agree with the fit where the velcro wraps, and I've had a tiny stitching issue on the bottom bolster where I slide in and out, no pulling or tearing, more of a bit of a fray that was touched up with black magic marker to where it was not noticeable at all. The wrinkles I was worried about as well, took about 6 months for them all to completely disappear. The wet okole covers look like they are made well, but just don't look as good as iggee, and the price is pretty damn close to ordering replacement vinyl instead of a slip on cover. That and I imagine neoprene would make me sweat a WHOLE lot more heh ~Rich |
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Posted on: 2010/9/11 18:25
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~Rich Polo LT4 Yea tho I walk through the valley in the shadow of rice, I shall fear no turbo, for torque art with me. |
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| CentralCoaster | Re: Who makes the best replacement seats? | ||
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Senior Guru
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Where did you buy them? This is vinyl directly over the foam right, not some loose fitting shitty looking cover? |
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Posted on: 2010/9/12 23:09
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1985 Z51, ZF6 |
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| CentralCoaster | Re: Who makes the best replacement seats? | ||
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Senior Guru
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Quote:
On their site, they show seat racks for 84-96 vette, at $90 each, C22057L and C22057R. It's not clear how these mount up or how they are adjusted. They don't list it on these particular seat mounts like they do on others. Got pics? |
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Posted on: 2010/9/12 23:16
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1985 Z51, ZF6 |
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| pr0zac | Re: Who makes the best replacement seats? | ||
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Elite Guru
 
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i wouldn't mind getting my seats redone but i cant afford it. i wouldn't mind the aftermarkets but i like my stock seats.. they fit tight when you fill them up with air.
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Posted on: 2010/9/14 0:53
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96 lt4. 357ci, 11:1, LE 226/232, LE2 LT4 heads, ported LT4 intake, EM Gladiator44, EM LT's, stock exhaust, NX kit. |
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| PLRX | Re: Who makes the best replacement seats? | ||
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Senior Guru
 
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[IMG]http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj290/plrx/PLRX%20LT4/Seats/Seats.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj290/plrx/PLRX%20LT4/Seats/Seats17.jpg[/IMG] I'm very happy with them. |
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Posted on: 2010/9/17 3:11
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| Trae1976 | Re: Who makes the best replacement seats? | ||
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2012 Memorial Day Car Show Winner!
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Quote:
PLRX wrote: Very nice!  |
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Posted on: 2010/9/17 12:03
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| Trae1976 | Re: Who makes the best replacement seats? | ||
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2012 Memorial Day Car Show Winner!
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Volzfan and I got covers from Corvette Originals in GA. He does more than just the C5 seats he lists. In fact, the guy who recommended him to us has them on his '90 seats, and they look really nice.
Regarding colors, materials, and stitching, he can do about anything you would want. They're still not cheap, but a lot less than the Knochs. And he's a good guy to talk to. I've only got about 5000 miles on mine, but I'm really happy with them so far.   |
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Posted on: 2010/9/17 12:17
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| JeffK | Re: Who makes the best replacement seats? | ||
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Elite Guru
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As for recovering seats I always heard great things about Mr. Mike's when I was in the Fiero phase.
http://www.mrmikes.com/corvettes.htm I've seen some of his Fiero covers..awesome work. |
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Posted on: 2010/9/21 14:37
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| CentralCoaster | Re: Who makes the best replacement seats? | ||
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Senior Guru
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Wow those look good, thanks. And if fiero owners are willing to pay for them, it must be a good deal.
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Posted on: 2010/9/22 3:24
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1985 Z51, ZF6 |
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| JeffK | Re: Who makes the best replacement seats? | ||
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Elite Guru
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It always amazed me how much money some of the Fiero folks had in their cars.
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Posted on: 2010/9/22 11:24
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| Ultraman | Re: Who makes the best replacement seats? | ||
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2015 Memorial Day Car Show Winner!
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Just don't touch them when you get in........and if you can figure out how to do that let me know. |
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Posted on: 2010/9/22 14:02
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2010 Grand Sport Coupe Gone but not forgotten... Vote DeSantis in 2024.... Make the IRS go away... |
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| BillH | Re: Who makes the best replacement seats? | ||
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The Stig Moderator
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Good point Marcus, I've been giving this some thought ever since I pulled the cover off the side bolster and tried to sew it back up. I've been trying to teach myself not to use the bolster to get out of the car. Every time you get out, you push on that bolster and put a big load on the stitches. I've been trying to put my left hand down on the carpeted rail to push myself out instead of the bolster. |
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Posted on: 2010/9/22 14:35
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Every man dies but not every man lives. |
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| CentralCoaster | Re: Who makes the best replacement seats? | ||
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Senior Guru
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Thats what I do. In fact I think I put both feet out before getting up. Just don't hit your head on the side window.
Some day when I'm old I won't be able to get out of my car, I'll have to live in it. Luckily they have drive thru ATMs, burgers, pharmacies, and full serve gas stations. |
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Posted on: 2010/9/22 15:32
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1985 Z51, ZF6 |
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| BillH | Re: Who makes the best replacement seats? | ||
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The Stig Moderator
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Sometimes I have to use both hands.  |
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Posted on: 2010/9/22 15:50
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Every man dies but not every man lives. |
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| TommyT-Bone | Re: Who makes the best replacement seats? | ||
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Chair-man of the bored
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And sometimes it takes two attempts. |
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Posted on: 2010/9/22 16:00
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| 95Vert | Re: Who makes the best replacement seats? | ||
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Senior Guru
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A good upholsterer can do wonders with material. I provide my guy the leather and he goes to town or he can stitch up. Finding someone like that at a reasonable price is a name to keep.
Further, repairing leather that is worn or cracked is not difficult and bringing the dye back is labor intensive but not difficult. If torn or ripped, get that fixed first. Finally, though I've heard good things about the Al Knoch seats, an outfit that recommends treating their leather with Lemon Pledge does not inspire confidence. That happens to be a furniture polish and not a very good one. When you pay thousands for new leather seats, I expect to hear at least that they recommend some sort of leather conditioner...easy to find and recommend, not furniture polish. Makes me wonder... |
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Posted on: 2010/9/27 16:50
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