Tightwad!

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PistolGrip

PistolGrip

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OK, Maybe I'm an old tight curmudgeon, but I'm starting to explore any "Plan B"...or "C" or...
to cure my problem. I'm putting a '66 Barracuda together. I bought it in a dis-assembled state. Things are going OK, but I'm needing to deal with the front bucket seats. They are in desperate need of restoration (I need black). I'm discovering it would cost in the neighborhood of a thousand bucks to do them (foam & seat base/backs). I was REALLY hoping to go with the '66 Barracuda stock front seats (the back seat is perfect), but $1,000 may be a deal-breaker. I doubt if I'm going to find original
Bucket seat underneath.jpg
Bucket seat floor area.jpg
'66 Barracuda seats in used condition that wouldn't need re-upholstering, so I'm curious as to what others have used. The closest to stock appearing, the better. I don't need/want anything fancy...just slide forward & back & fit the car. What fits these early A-bodies? I've attached a picture of the bottom of my seat & the floor area.
 
A grand for someone to 100% restore my seats to mint condition? I guess that is expensive where you live because that’s a good price around here to just drop off the seats and get called to pick up 100% bitchin seats.

You maybe out of touch. Interior is a bit pricey but I wouldn’t consider it expensive.

Then again, depends on where you live. I cringe when I see guys pay quadruple what I pay for a simple head milling. $35 a head for up to .040.
 
rumblefish360 said:
A grand for someone to 100% restore my seats to mint condition. I guess that maybe a lot where you live but that’s a good price here.

Yup, you could be out of touch a bit. Again, depends on where you live. I cringe when I see guys paying quadruple the amount for a minor head killing that I get at $35 a head up to .040.
Click to expand...

$35 is high here when you can get a head killing for free in the southend of town. Sometimes they miss and it's a body shot.
 
Pick up new seat foam and covers from one of the upholstery vendors- I suspect they all get them from Legendary. Strip them down and recover them yourself. You should be able to cut that $1000 in half, maybe more if you can use a coupon to buy the covers and foam. It’s not rocket science as there are all sorts of you tube videos. Legendary even post them on their web site.
 
Fox body Mustang seats fit pretty good, they are cheap and easy to get. You're
not going to get anything other than a early A seat to just bolt in place. You'll
have to mess around a bit and drill new holes if you want to go that route. Amazon and Summit
has lots of cheap buckets, I put a set in my 66 cuda. They are very comfy and
lightweight. Cheapest way out is junkyard.
 
Any seats other than stock are going to look silly. I just looked at a 68 barracuda with 70’s highbacks in it and it looked hideous.
 
If you ever want to sell the car you will need to take a grand off the price for the wrong seats. I myself if looking at a car and notice they put the wrong seats in will walk away and not even think of buying it.
 
In the same boat . I just stripped mine to the frames this winter. Overhauled the seat mounts ,rust reformed and coated satin black. I,ll Get flack but try Pro Fit Interiors best prices over all. Just my .02

Tim
 
chryslerfat said:
If you ever want to sell the car you will need to take a grand off the price for the wrong seats. I myself if looking at a car and notice they put the wrong seats in will walk away and not even think of buying it.
Click to expand...
Your car NEVER worry about what somebody thinks about if unless your a flipper.
I would not invest over a grand in the original seats, they are not very comfortable
and made of cheap vinyl that does not hold up. However don't throw them out as
he pointed out some don't go for the non original look,as to include if you sell.
 
I like original seats period, and anytime I buy a project it will get oem seats, maybe I can not afford new upholstery but.. just me.
Tightwad... you are trying to take my nickname. Wife just tells me I always have a bunch of birds flying over my hear going CHEAP CHEAP!!
I say put what seats you want in your car, you got to sit on them and pa the $. but if you ever sell, it is like a custom car, not everyone will want it.
 
Dooooood I feel your pain. I just had an estimate of 700 each for front split bench and rear bench for my 2 door Valiant. EACH. dammit man.
 
I found new covers here,bought new foam during xmas at 1/2 off and the shop near me said $150 to install my parts but I forgot to ask if that's for one or both. There a few good things about Chicago
 
Many years ago,I ordered up a set of Corbeau seats for my 68 Barracuda. Delivered IIRC they were $2200C. After setting them in place, I could tell right off they were too tall; and I wouldn't say hideous, but the scale was waaaay off. Thankfully the Corbeau people accepted them for a return, but that cost me restocking and shipping, and another run to the border.
Stock 68 seats were not the answer either.
I went hunting for car seats,from small cars. I ended up with a pair of buckets from an 80s or 90s Mazda RX-7. Nice scale, comfy,well bolstered for the street; but a pita to install, due to the height difference from the inboard rail to the outboard rail. In the end it turned out pretty good IMO,lol.
I can drive all day in those, and my azz stays planted when flipping thru the corners; what more could I want? Longer-lasting maybe, I wore he driver's side out pretty quick. Note to self; next time; leather.
 
Your back seats will only look nice for a while. The original upholstery on them is 40yrs old, stiff and inflexible. Sit on them and they will crack. If you really want to enjoy your car and bring your friends along- you should invest in new upholstery.
 
66jim said:
Your car NEVER worry about what somebody thinks about if unless your a flipper.
I would not invest over a grand in the original seats, they are not very comfortable
and made of cheap vinyl that does not hold up. However don't throw them out as
he pointed out some don't go for the non original look,as to include if you sell.
Click to expand...
As I said if he trys to sell it most people that buy Mopars will knock a grand off the price for the wrong seats. These early A bodies dont command enough money to be doing things that make them less valuable. And I said my opinion so no reason for YOU to say I should never worry about it.
 
chryslerfat said:
If you ever want to sell the car you will need to take a grand off the price for the wrong seats. I myself if looking at a car and notice they put the wrong seats in will walk away and not even think of buying it.
Click to expand...
I agree with you. I'd feel the same way if I were looking. But there's also a niche of younger enthusiasts who aren't into originality as much as you and me and a $500 lower price may be more attractive than original seats. And true purists would know they can easily switch to stock seats...if the rest of the car looks nice...and reasonably stock.
 
I'm an old guy but would walk by 5 original restorations to look at a car that has been done tastefully and comfortable. I put these Seats in my 64 Dart which were way more comfortable that the originals.

DSCN0152 (1).JPG
 
Looks nice...what are they out of? And if you don't mind, what did they cost?
One problem is my back seat is stock black vinyl. I'd really rather not have fabric in front & vinyl in the back.
 
For the price of a redo of the originals you can buy a real nice set of seats made of leather or a nice cloth material with bolsters that can actually hold you comfortably
in place while you actually drive your car. Not just putz to the car show or cruise
night and watch people stare at your original seats. I have had many classic cars
the original seats sucked then and suck now. Keep originals for resale in a plastic
trash bag with mothballs protected from mice.
 
I was at Classic a few weeks ago and priced out covers and foams for my ‘64 Valiant buckets. $514 for covers and $239 for foams. I also priced out the rear seat cover $339 (iirc). Sticker shock for sure!

I’ve looked at other more modern seats that I would have upholstered to mimic the originals. No matter how I slice and dice it, I’m looking at least 800 for the front seats alone! I’ve never had an interior done in a vehicle before and now I know why!
 
I can't argue with your assessment of the '66's original bucket seats vs. newer-type buckets, but I have two '66 Barracudas & have had the first one since I drove it off the showroom floor, so my butt & those old style type of seats have become accustomed to each other for lo these many years. :)
 
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