Most authentic reuphostery kits?

[bpilati]

I posted this elsewhere too. I purchased one of those seat cover and foam kits from Distinctive Industries through Classic Datsun Motorsports. I believe that most everyone, who sells the Z seat covers, sell this one. Some people only replace their covers, but I also purchased the replacement foam cushions.

I just finished putting the driver's seat cover on and it went very well, except I got a small rip in the vinyl in the rear part from working with the cover. It is covered by the rear flap though. Hopefully this won't get worse with use. I had to run the wire around the bottom from the old seat cover so that he prongs on the seat frame would not tear through the vinyl. To bad they didn't include new wire. It was very difficult to connect the two wire rods that make the crease in the top of the vinyl seat cover. What I ended up using were Blair pig rings from the hardware store to hook the two rods together.

As far as the bottom support straps that were used on the 70-71 model Z's I found strapping material that was almost identical to the original. The only difference is that the original was one ply thicker and was covered with nylon on the outside. There are four straps front to back and one left to right (I used seat belt strap for this) just under where your arse sits. I pulled these through the original hooks and put two aluminum rivets with washers on each end. Of course this was done before they came out with the strap kit that's now for sale. REMEMBER IT WAS MY REINVENTION!

I just removed the cover from the seat back and discovered something very noteworthy about the original headrest cushion. It is not the same foam as the seat back or bottom cushions, but is actually a crushable foam. It is also covered with a thin layer of plastic wrap; maybe to keep the foam dry from sweat? Not sure about this, since it is covered with vinyl. The wonderful quality of this crushable foam is that if you are hit from the rear and your head impacts this foam, it will crush and eliminate rebound of the head in the forward direction. The new headrest foam is not like this and is the same as the rest of the new foam. I may changed to the new foam headrest for comfort reasons anyway though. I thought I would mention that for anyone interested in crash safety. I also noticed that the new covers do not include the original style jute matting that is located just behind the seat back cover. You know those vent holes that are in the original covers; theoretically they allow air to circulate inside the seat to help keep your back cool. The original seat designers weren't so dumb were they? I wonder if I should go buy some jute matting and put some in. I'm also thinking about adding a small amount of additional foam in the lumbar area to improve support there. Has anyone else tried this; if so, how well did it work?

[lonetreesteve]

I just purchsed some 240z vinyl seat covers for my '71 on Ebay. I bought these since they were about $50.00 less than the ones from Too Intense Restoration. I will let you know what they are like once I get them and put them on. Here's the link:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ru=http%3A%2F%2Fsearch.ebay.com%3A80%2Fsearch%2Fsearch.dll%3Ffrom%3DR40%26satitle%3D8003822936%26fvi%3D1&item=8003822936

[xray]

Hey Steve:

I saw those same sets, and asked him to send a close-up pic. The grain pattern looks very close to original, so I bought 'em too! My set should be here tomorrow, so I will post some side-by-sides. Hope they look right!

Steve

[xray]

OK, so my mystery seat covers came today...I was excited to see how close they come to original, and I think the answer is----pretty close...

Here's what I can say:

Vinyl appears of good quality and well-stitched.

Grain on the seat portion is a 90-95% match

Grain on the trim is an 80% match

Stitch line on the side trim, just off the seat area is too wide (by about 1/2") and is not raised enough.

Vent buttons have too many holes, and are spaced slightly wider than original.

But, I paid $75 less than CDM, and $60 or so less than MSA so all in all I am happy.

LoneTreeSteve, I'd like to know your opinion as well since you bought a set.

Other opinions? Does this look similar/different to MSA, VB or CDM?

Thanks,

Steve

[lonetreesteve]

Xray,

Thanks for posting the pics! I think they look good. Like you said, they aren't exactlly like the originals, but they are are pretty darn close and quite a bit cheaper than the other ones out there. I'm anxious to get mine. Just curious, how long was the waiting period between ordering and delivery for you?

[xray]

Steve:

I bought them on a Saturday and they showed up a week after that upcoming Monday (one business week).

I should add that the covers require preservation of the wire that threads through the seat cover portion, as well as the clips which secure the seat back flap along its underside (their version of hog rings, I guess.)

Still have to think about buying new foam, though. Guess I'll make that decision when the old covers come off...

Good luck!

Steve