DIY seat rebuild

[dads311]

This project has taken some strange turns. I have a 67.5 body on a 68 frame with a 68 motor with changes made to move the alternator to the passenger side. The PO had taken the original seats out and threw them away because he was going to do something different, which is why I had to throw the original frame away after he got done cutting on it. I did cut the original number out of the frame and have it. Anyway as luck would have it my brother showed up at my door one day with a pickup full of parts. Most I don't need but he had seats. Cool.
Looking at all of the other parts he had I determined the seats were probably from a 66. So I ordered 66 seat covers. Being a DIY guy I figured I could make the foam for them.. What a PITA. So as I was scratching my head and staring at the seat covers one day, I thought they looked very much like the covers on my wife's 65 mustang. I took them in and laid them on her seats and the bottom was an almost perfect fit, at least in the center, the back was also very close. So on a whim I ordered 2 sets of standard seat buns for a 1965 mustang. $120 bucks later I had nice new seat foam. I replaced all of the straps on the frames, added a couple layers of burlap, cussed enough the air started to turn blue but finally won out. It did take some trimming on the foam but they came out pretty dang nice if I say so myself and pretty comfortable.
Who knew my car would be part Mustang too.

[BBF Roadster]

That's a cool idea.
Was the green foam included with the mustang foam, and did you use any of the green foam in the install.

[dads311]

No the green foam didn't come with the mustang foam. It was some I had around and was just using it to protect momma bear's counter top.

[AustinEngy]

This is a very underrated post! I've been unsuccessful in finding a good set of early roadster seat foam and the cost of this is awesome. Thanks for sharing this info. What did you do for the pad strap replacement? I'm unfamiliar with these types of seats, is it literally just leather/nylon straps?

[greydog]

I've not had early seats apart but the high windshield seats have rubber strips in them also. If you look at the strips, you can see it has some cord woven into it. Search "Pirelli rubber" and you will find stripping is still made.
A few years ago when I was rebuilding my '68 seats, I had trouble finding a source that would sell less than a roll (it ain't cheap" but I found an upholstery supply in the Midwest that would sell by the foot.
I had the seats in the '69 covered by a pro but decided to use stock repro covers and redo the '68 seats myself. The pro suggested simply tightening the strapping in the '69 but I elected to replace the '68 rubber. I'm glad I did as the '69 has already stretched noticeably while the '68 is the same as when I redid them.
Dan

[spl310]

How many feet are needed for a stock Roadster seat?

[Linda]

An old trick is to buy foam from a foam store or some fabric stores and use an electric carving knife to contour and shape it into the seat padding.
Linda

[spl310]

I don't know how much it matters, but the OEM foam was a latex while the stuff from the fabric stores is a polyester foam. I have seen where people have used the polyester with no complaints.

[dads311]

I had bought some foam from a fabric store and even a new carving knife I just couldn't get it to shape like it needed to be. The mustang buns were a different foam and cut and shaped easily with the electric knife.

[DAC21]

I had bought some foam from a fabric store and even a new carving knife I just couldn't get it to shape like it needed to be. The mustang buns were a different foam and cut and shaped easily with the electric knife.

Mike,

Your original post mentioned that the seat back portion of the 65 Mustang foam looked like it was close to the Roadster. But your write up only mentioned restoring the lower seat section. What did you wind up doing to restore the seat backs?

Thanks

[dads311]

I used both the seat and the back from the Mustang to redo the roadster seats.The job is a PITA but it is doable if you take your time. The air got a little blue from the the swearing I was doing but I think they turned out pretty well.

[lehinger]

I found this DIY seat recover string and have started a set of early 67 seats andhave seat covers and mustang foams on order.

My question is on the pirelli rubber webbing. How tight should it be? The old webbing under the rich red overstuffed velour is fairly loose and will be replaced.

Picture a now red 1600 with red velour interior...... uughh

Thanks for any advice you can give!
Lee Ehinger
67 1600
67.5 2000
70 240z

[FergO2k]

Loop around opposite edges of frame, with like 1/4 inch slack in between.
In truth it makes little difference, as with repeated in-outs, the straps that get more weight will stretch more until the weight gets distributed more evenly.
What the straps are really doing is making up for the stiff road springs, firm foam seats like Miata can be harder on the spine.
The sand buggy guys who put in hard mounted foam seats get back problems, and go back to "suspension seats" (which is what our stockers are)

[lehinger]

UPDATE - got the foam, seat covrs from Dean, webbing (not rubber) harborfreight foam cutting knife. Frame sandblasted and painted. Been a tad busy with work, family and life in general.

Getting started shortly and will film and dcument to post.
Lee

[Jack Maskell]

Looking for seat foam for a 67, anyone know a dealer?