240Z Seat Replacement Options?

[RolfSis]

Novice here wondering about 'fixing' old seats as a viable solution for the 240Z. We have a 1971 we're fixing and selling, and the passenger seat is great, but California sun dried out the driver's seat (stitching undone and stuffing-foam type seat degraded), so that's the seat we will repair. Does it make sense to not try that? I found this link to some possible part solutions, in case it helps.

http://www.zcarsource.com/specials.html#overstock

I noticed through the past months 240Z seats for sale as well, but those also had a big dip on the driver's side, so didn't make sense to pursue.

The original '71 240Z seats are perfect, and would be a shame to have to replace them with other types if we can't fix them to our satisfaction. Just wondering.

Thanks,

":0) Asta

[Rockr69]

to RolfSis, there are many places to get the kits to replace the seat covers with . Black Dragon. If you look around long enough there is even a company that makes replacement covers and the foam to rebuild the original seats good as new, but expensive. About $300 for the pair, but you can do it yourself as the seats do come apart very easily.

[RolfSis]

Thanks, Rockr69, sorry for delayed response, didn't get notif of this update via email.

When you said "but you can do it yourself as the seats do come apart very easily" I sure got excited and popped right out there with tools in hand. Days later, still no go. Asked my husband to help so he may be able to work the magic I couldn't. Any hints? In our case, all the seats are quite fine, with the exception of the driver's bottom part of the seat which I want to refill with new foam and try to sew myself. Not sure it'll work, though. We're selling this family treasure, and wanted to make the seat better first. Here are some pictures that may be helpful.

Thank you so much.

http://asta.bizhosting.com/240z_work_in_progres.htm

[Arne]

Thanks, Rockr69, sorry for delayed response, didn't get notif of this update via email.

When you said "but you can do it yourself as the seats do come apart very easily" I sure got excited and popped right out there with tools in hand. Days later, still no go. Asked my husband to help so he may be able to work the magic I couldn't. Any hints? In our case, all the seats are quite fine, with the exception of the driver's bottom part of the seat which I want to refill with new foam and try to sew myself. Not sure it'll work, though. We're selling this family treasure, and wanted to make the seat better first. Here are some pictures that may be helpful.

Thank you so much.

http://asta.bizhosting.com/240z_work_in_progres.htm

Asta, looking at your pictures with the experience of someone who has a pair of '71s, here's my take on it. First, the seat webbing that supports the bottom foam is either shot or non-existent. You'll need to take the driver's seat out of the car and replace the seat webbing. (Webbing was only used in '70 and 71, springs from '72 on.) A discussion about replacing the webbing can be seen in this thread - http://classiczcars.com/forums/showthread.php?t=25479

Secondly, from my experience, I don't think you'll have much luck re-sewing that split seam in the driver's cushion, as that's not really a seam, it's quilted. There's no extra material there to re-sew. When you add in the fact that the reason it has split open is because it has gotten stiff and hard with age, and I really think you'll be better off buying a set of the replacement seat covers. They look great, and are soft and flexible - which the old originals are not after all these years. Replacement covers are between $200 and $250 for the set for both seats, and will be well worth it.

With new covers and replaced webbing, you might be able to get by with adding a bit of foam to the existing foam cushions. Replacement cushions are just under $100 per seat.

[Carl Beck]

We're selling this family treasure, and wanted to make the seat better first. Here are some pictures that may be helpful.

Thank you so much.

Leave the seat alone - fixing it won't add any value to the actual final selling price.

If you want to sell that car - you need to get it up on a lift and take clear pictures of the floorboards, frame rails and the area under the battery tray (on the inner-fender). You also need to show clear pictures of the rear deck lid lower lip, as well as the threshold area that the deck lid closes down on.

You need detailed pictures of the engine bay there as well.

These are the common rust area's and any serious buyer will want to see clear pictures of them before they come to look at the car.

Even with a non-matching engine - IF (big I , big F) the body is sold with very little rust - your asking price is reasonable and it should sell fairly quickly.

The pictures you have just don't encourage buyers.....

FWIW,

Carl B.

[RolfSis]

THANK YOU THANK YOU!

Hubby got the seat off for me and it's on the living room rug in all its splendor! There is no webbing that I can see, but do see the quilting kind of under the vinyl or leather, whichever it is. Also strange green-straps. I may well have bitten off more than I can chew at my age, tsk tsk. Alas, now that the seat is off, I must do something and will explore the information you've shared with gratitude.

Thanks also, Carl B. We've had it in a shop and up on a lift where they did some diagnostics, etc., and snapped lots of pictures. Many of the pictures I've shown were taken before much was done to just spiff things up. Although I don't yet know what frame rails are, I do see that there is some rust under the battery area. Rear deck lid lower lip, not so sure; I guess you mean the hatchback?

This is my brother's car I'm helping him sell and fiddling to fix up, and he's already paid to have shop work done. I am a novice novice novice as well you can see, and will definitely get the camera going to update pictures. Not sure which you saw, but there are oodles.

http://www.asta.bizhosting.com/240Z-12.htm

http://www.asta.bizhosting.com/KickingTires.htm

http://www.asta.bizhosting.com/OctoberUpdates.htm

[RolfSis]

Wow, what an adventure. Trying to be creative in webbing alternatives, etc. Here's part of the stuff and confusion:

[RolfSis]

Where'd my thumbnails go?

Ooh, maybe now.

:mad:

:laugh:

:eek: