[ossodiseppia]

It's been 9 years since my last update. This post is about the seats that I had upholstered almost ten years ago. They have sat patiently waiting for their installation, which is still in the future.

My car came with seats but they were cobbled together from various vintages of spiders. I was able to locate a two sets that were in great shape. The pans were stamped on the underside with the date of manufacture.

 

[ossodiseppia]

The seat bottom covers are held in place with a series of springs and strings. Although most of the springs were in decent shape, I elected to make my own from a spring I located at Ace Hardware.

A few years later, Benjyboards, an AlfaBB member, made up a bunch of the seat blocks and sold them to the community. I believe these are now widely available.

 

[ossodiseppia]

I opened the recliner mechanism and added a bit of lithium grease and clean out any debris or rust. I elected to not refinish the hinges nor replace the chrome plated rivet. So, I polished the hinges, the tear-drop shape cover and the chrome center of the recliner knob. I clear coated the center cap so as to slow the deterioration.

I collected enough slotted screws such that I had a nice looking set of four. Those, I buffed a bit to try and restore some of their shine. I also made up a set of the flat-head socket cap screws that hold the hinges to the seat back. I also collected enough screws to fasten the seats to the floor.

 

[ossodiseppia]

BTW, this is what I think is the correct colour for the seat back hinges. The one on the left is one that I removed from the well preserved seats. The black one is from a later model Spider.

 

[ossodiseppia]

I cleaned up the seat tracks as best I could and used Eastwood's Chassis black to finish them. I applied lithium grease to the appropriate areas and worked it in to ensure smooth function.

 

[ossodiseppia]

I bought bulk vinyl and the headrest covers from Re-Originals. The covers aren't quite right as they are missing the padding between the heat stitching.

The recovered one is on the left in the last picture.

 

[ossodiseppia]

The wire frames for the seat cushions got wire brushed, navel jellied and slathered with Rustoleum.

 

[ossodiseppia]

Using the bulk vinyl from Re-Originals, I had a local guy make up and put on the seat covers.

 

[ossodiseppia]

As for the seat pans, I elected to touch up the sides of the pans and leave the rest alone. I wanted to preserve the details of the date of manufacture and the hand markings.

 

[Charles Berman]

Wow! They look amazing. Do you feel like doing a pair for my car too?

Fantastic work.

 

[PSk]

Fantastic work as usual!!
Pete

 

[alfa2go]

Osso, great to see an update! Like many I am sure your photos have become a goto reference for how to do something properly!

 

[gprocket]

Looks great! Have you had a chance to sit in them? I was surprised that with new foam and springs how much more comfortable that are!

 

[ossodiseppia]

Thank you for the kudos. It's going to help me keep going.


Rich, I've not say in them. When I had the seats done, new cushions were not yet available. The seats never really looked tired, it was only the vinyl that was ripped.

Looks great! Have you had a chance to sit in them? I was surprised that with new foam and springs how much more comfortable that are!

 

[Patillack1961]

Wow, Osso. Looks like a beautiful project. I just bought my first Alfa, a '78 Spider in Atlanta and drove it back here to Brighton 3 weeks ago. I love it and take it to work every day unless it's bad weather and I take my wife's Honda. I'd like to see your care in person before I move to AZ. Patrick.

 

[pickeljr]

I have a 74 2000 GTV and the seats while looking somewhat like these pictures , they have a rod inserted horizontally in the top of the drivers seat. Do you have any idea what it is for?

 

[gprocket]

I have a 74 2000 GTV and the seats while looking somewhat like these pictures , they have a rod inserted horizontally in the top of the drivers seat. Do you have any idea what it is for?

Sounds like the headrest adjuster...

 

[Sfizio]

Brian, thanks for this excellent post. Can you tell me how those seats come out of the car?

 

[ossodiseppia]

Brian, thanks for this excellent post. Can you tell me how those seats come out of the car?

There are two screws holding each seat track, one screw at the front and one at the rear. Slide the seat forward as far as it will go to expose a screw in the seat track Do not try using a screw driver as you more than likely will strip the screw. Use a tool as pictured below. I believe they are called impacts. It's sort of a screw driver that you hit with a hammer. When you strike it with a hammer, it will turn and turn the screw. Before doing that, it might be a good idea to hit the screws with something that will loosen the rust. Something like PB Blaster. A torch might help to, just watch out you don't catch your car on fire. After removing the two rear screws, slide the seat all the way back to expose the front screws and repeat the procedure.

 

[Sfizio]

Great advice, thanks!