Carl is right. Leather is available through both CDM and MA. I suspect though that it is more likely a case of ignorance over deception. I have a new set of seat covers and padding sitting in the garage waiting for me to have time to restore the seats in my

'73. The quality is so much better than the stock vinyl that I wondered if MA had accidently sent the leather ones. They really are VERY nice...

I am still fiddling around with this car from Nevada - If I lived there I would buy it on the spot but the shipping fees makes it hard to commit. There are some flaws but as you see there are some very nice points as well.

Rick:

From the picture you posted:

the visible stitching on the seat - where the OEM would have had a heat embossed line;

the armrest with stitched padding - where the OEM would NOT have had an armrest at all

the stitching on the headrest - further forward of the OEM style

and lastly, the extra stitch line on the seat bottom towards the outer edge of the cushion.

All those are indications of non-stock seats. Whether it's leather or a very well done vinyl job is something that, as has been pointed out, difficult to ascertain from a picture.

So, I'm halfway agreeing with GWGarrard, it is a custom recover, but I won't say it's leather.... other than it looks like it would be.

FWIW

E

A few more shots.

Leather or not, those are NICE-looking seats. Are these seats a deal breaker? I have a set of original '72'/73 seats I could sell you .

Mat There are a couple of other matters that have had me on the fence for a few days. I even wrote the guy and advised him that I was not interetsed and he responded with a better offer - I wasn't posturing, it is just the way it fell together.

Anyway it is back on and the major issue is the hatch ledge is poor, otherwise it is pretty nice accepting the standard bumps.

I may be interested in those seats if this goes through though.

PM coming at you.

Rick:

From the picture you posted:

the visible stitching on the seat - where the OEM would have had a heat embossed line;

the armrest with stitched padding - where the OEM would NOT have had an armrest at all

the stitching on the headrest - further forward of the OEM style

and lastly, the extra stitch line on the seat bottom towards the outer edge of the cushion.

All those are indications of non-stock seats. Whether it's leather or a very well done vinyl job is something that, as has been pointed out, difficult to ascertain from a picture.

So, I'm halfway agreeing with GWGarrard, it is a custom recover, but I won't say it's leather.... other than it looks like it would be.

FWIW

E

My 280Z had that same "arm rest" as depicted. It was aftermarket as I recall and I believe you could buy it from Bob Sharp Racing Catalog. It was hinged at the back and tilted back to open up that tray located at the back of the console...

Rob, I know the center arm rest you're referring to. Look closely at the stitching on the one in Rick's picture (Sailor Bob), and I'm betting yours did not have the same stitching style.

E

I realize this is an older thread but staying on the leather (as opposed to leatherette) seating topic has anyone purchased the leather set from MSA? They are roughly twice as expensive as the vinyl. I am strongly considering paying the extra for the leather but have to admit the photo of the leather replacement doesn't give me confidence looking at the loose ridges here and there. Any opinions/experiences?

http://www.thezstore.com/page/TZS/CTGY/IA31

oh well.....decided to have the seats redone in leather by a custom auto upholstery shop down in Alabama while she's still having other work done. Should be a much more comfortable ride back to Pittsburgh!