Damaged seat sides from getting in and out

I have a Vintage Speedster with vinyl seats. After just two months, I am seeing ware on the entry side of the back of the seat. I am looking at leather or some other tough hide to replace the vinyl. Anyone else having this problem? Any solutions? Thanks.

"Any solutions?"

Lose some weight . . . ?

I've worn out or broken every driver's seat in nearly every car that I've owned in the past ten years.
I mean, even all of my my pants are worn through in crotch from by big fat thighs rubbin' together.
I just trim the lose "strings" and re-apply duct tape from the inside after each washing

Doesn't take much to blow out a seat bolster.

Try sliding the seat back, giving you more room to get in and out.

i do the barnco flop, i pretty much stand up and just flop directly down into seat.

Bob--same here. I try not to slide accross the vinyl and to not wear it out.---Jack

I've got sheepskin seat covers over 914 seats.

Don't notice any wear at all after 10 years.

Cool in the Summer and warm in the Winter.

gn

This close to Wyoming we don't mention sheep! It makes those Wyoming guys crazy !!!!

Which reminds me of several Australian jokes . . . .

it's your belt or possibly rough jeans. Don't slide your ass down the back of the seat. Like Alan said slide the seat back to get in and then reposistion. My seats look like new after 15 months.

Marty

Did you guys see that episode of "Boston Legal" with 'Denny Crane' and the sheep??

Hilarious!!

Ha! I sold my Vintage seats and made my own .Its been 4 years and they still look perfect.

I saw the design flaw the very first time I set in the car with one installed.

The backs should have had pulls to sink the stitches a bit so they would NOT be so easy to rip. Easier to replace them than to correct.

My solution was to sell and redesign them all over. i started with a pair of 1984 Honda Civic seats , Narrowed 3 inches and the rear lower base was cut down 2 inches you lose one seat spring and shorten the back springs and re bend one end.

They look almost exactly like the real roadster and coupe seats and are OH so comfy. on long rides.

Anyone trying to buy them would be in for a real fight.

James,
We'll have to meet soon and check out our tubs. I live in Henderson, close to the Sunset Station H&C.
Tony

Barry--I love my Vintage Speedster but have never liked the seats all that much. My butt is not larger than average (nicer maybe, but not larger!) hey have those damned hard sides that you end up sitting on where they go beside the seat bottom part.

I would love to locate some "turnkey" seats to replace what I have now.

Could you poat some pix of yours?

I know Gordon uses POrsche 914 seats--I wonder how they look and how comfortable they are?

The idesl, to me, are the 356 coupe seats. Wide where you sit and just overall nice looking.

---Jack

Miata seats are suppose to be a drop in

Also a drop In. But a total custom build that could pass for the real thing.

The real 356 Coupe seat woun't go in a VS the rear tunnel Y will pose a problem

Barry - Those look pretty dang good (and comfy)! Nice job on the fabrication!

Barry--now that's what I'm talking about! Those seats are primo!

I would love some seats like yours! I'll look into that. Thanks---Jack

Every person that has been in the car has commplemented me on how good they set. I do wish I had put the middle pull in the bottoms 2 inches back closer to the seat backs. I think they would hold you in better by forcing your butt into the seat back.

If I had it to do again I should have saved the head rest parts, and made some barrel back head rest,like a D is suppose to have. They would be a lot cheaper than what I have seen barrel back head rest in the 356 Rejestery.. but cutting down the frames and re welding them is the easy part.

Cut out one spring clip front and back that's 2 inches and lap the frame a inch for strength that's the 3 inches .

I had to pie slice the sides of the seat base frame from front to rear to drop the back 2 inches that's the hardest part . The seat backs are cut right down the middle taking the springs off first.

I cut the head off a bolt and stuck in the seat back pipe to make it strong when I welded it back together. and lapped the flat part the holds the headres

I did not trim the seat foam very much but did have to patch the rear wire supports in the seat foam to clear the hinges.

The seat back foam was filled in almost flush But I took care to keep some curve in it for support. That was a lot easier than the seat decks

The back half of the seat foam had to be narrowed 2 inches to get clearances for the Honda hinge brackets. (YES!) these seats will recline.. but you will still use the VS seat tracks..to make it fit your car..

I made all my own patterns. But let a good sewer, sew it together.

A little cotton batting to kill any stitch puckers. and they turned out nice enough to make me happy.

IT is some work. But I'd happily do it again. for the comfort they offer.

If you have decent mig welder skills. and can use a electric turkey carving knife to trim foam. You will figure it out just fine. But these notes will help you a bunch, taking out a lot of the guess work..

We have a Bet around here that the factory covers Might just fit them. Let me know..

Hey Jack I did upholster. for several years.. But I'm serious anyone can do this. its not hard .. It just takes a little time and some plaining. IF my job completley goes to poop.

I will have time to make you a set And IF I make them I will CHARGE $1,000. for the pair in vinal and leather will surley be almost twice that.

If I'm lucky to find some bargain Hydes They also will have removable barrel back head rest that will recline or tip forward just as they did in the Honda. I have also improve the hinge levers to something stainless that won't hang you up getting in and out.

Like you said they are PREMO But If I do another set..

I have to make a living.off of something..and they are worth that for sure.

I am a fair man If your strapped as I am .I will explain the procedures step by step so can make your own. Its not hard . but it will take time and care.

Its UP to you sir!

Barry--Many thanks for the generous offer. I am sure they are well worth what you said. I am going to try to find a set of '84 Civic seats and I have a great upholstry guy here and a body shop that can gdo the fabbing to get them to work.

Seriously, I think there is a market for these seats that you would make and I may be getting back to you. Take care my friend---Jack

Hey it does not have to be from a civic these type frames were used on several of Japan's car models of that period. The Accord. Toyoda Corolla and i think even a subaru will also be the same frame. Id need a pic to confirm the lever controls on all But I'd know them on sight.

Hey it does not have to be from a civic these type frames were used on several of Japan's car models of that period. The Accord. Toyoda Corolla and i think even a subaru will also be the same frame. Id need a pic to confirm the lever controls on all But I'd know them on sight.

ONE WARNING ! They will be still 1 inch higher than the VS seats ..If you can recess the seat tracks a pinch in the rear . or find a flatter seat track. It would make them a lot more speedster windshield friendly.

My Drauzs windshield is 3 inches taller. they are low enough to make me happy.

I only have about 3/4 of a inch waisted space under my seats.I could have got more.

There's an article in this month's Kit Car (not KCB) where a guy goes from top to bottom on a pair of seats. Great how-to material, and a pretty good-looking finished product.
Not as classy as Barry's efforts, but it looked pretty thorough.

I bought the magazine at the Newark, N.J., Penn Station yesterday with the intent of having something to read on the southbound train; I discovered a nice writeup on Tom Raymond's car. Great photography, especially of the interior.
On his seats, the piping is color-matched to the Mexico Blue paint -- thought I'd toss that idea into this DIY-seats thread for food for thought. It's a really "factory custom" touch.
(Damn, Tom. Every time I look at that car, I see something else I like.)

Hey Cory> I wanted to Congratulate You and Teresa. I'm glad she made a honest man of ya ..Your a Very Lucky fella.

Oh and thanks On the seats but I built it to be a Drauzs Speedster.

The seats just had to look close to the real deal. They Just HAD TO!

I still wish I could find a correct steering wheel In less than perfect state good enough to repair and use. I can fix cracks and breaks in it. Not a problem.. Id have buy a new trim ring ,of course.