Anyone Changed Seat Covers?

Thinking of changing my seat covers.
Looking for any tips/advice.
any special tools needed?
Thanks
Hank

Hank-This month's issue of "VETTE" magazing has an article on refurbishing seats in a C3. Part one is this month, it takes you from taking the seat out, to tear down, to fixing the seat frame. I hope you have access to a MIG welder.

I did my seats three years ago. Only take one seat apart at a time. Use the other one for a reference, you're gonna need it.

Once again, I would rather have my ass kicked, than do that job again.
GOOD LUCK!!!

Hank, with your 81 and the low mileage, your seat frames probably wouldn't need any work. Seems most people lately are going with the already mounted cushions. Seatcovers already mounted on new foam, just pop out the old cushions and pop(OK it's a pain to get the cushions back in, but not that bad)the new ones in. No need to remove frames from the Vette. I'm sure a lot of others will agree. And nothing looks worse than a sloppy recover job. I wouldn't even try!! Mike

Hank - I went with pre-covered ready to clip in new cushions. Original's were leather centers with vinyl skirts. I could not begin to do the job as good as done by the distributors.
It looks like they all buy from the same house, except the "Al Knoch" company in Texas. I have not seen their product, but understand they are excellent.
One area you should be aware of, and that is seam alignment, if it matters to you.
If you purchase from a mail order house, ask to be guaranteed that the seams line up with the back and seat.
What I mean, is when you set the back cushion on the seat, the inside seams, bolster line, match up top to bottom.
Best price I found was Willcox Corvette, Dep't.

Just did my seats 4 weeks ago it is not so hard to do send me a email i will send you pic's and tips to do it by yourself.
Normand

I replaced the seat covers and foam last summer. Got everything from Wilcox, they are great! I'm not sure what all the fuss is about. It was a relatively easy project, didn't take all that long and they turned out beautifully. I did alot of seat frame repair. The parts you (might) need are readily available and easily made if you're reasonably handy. Plan on spending a weekend on them and pay attention to aligning the seams. It feels real good when someone asks where you got them done and you can say you did it yourself.

Did you guys replace with original vinyl and leather, or all leather?

I did the vinyl/leather. I was going to go with total leather, but was advised against it because the leather skirts chafe when entering and exiting the car.
Cost was about $70.00 less. I would say it is up to the individual, as most owners do not drive their Corvette every day.

I purchased my covers from Al Knoch one year at Carlisle. The quality is nothing short of excellent.
I was so satisfied with his products, I bought my new door panels from him the next year.
Good Luck.

I'm also in the process of changing the seat covers and will be getting my covers thru Wilcox. After removing the cover and foam on the seat bottoms, I noticed that the right side channel on both frames is spread toward the center(not square). I've seen this in several pics covering restorations but wonder if they were made that way or if it's a weak spot that needs to be straightened out? Thanks for any input.