It's hard to write a witty intro for this story. It's like, duh-seats get thrashed and you have to fix 'em. Companies like Original Parts Group are at the ready with all the parts you need to do the job, but it's scary to try and re-cover seats at home if the seats are really wasted. That's what we thought, until we started hanging out at Mike Ambrose Custom Interiors where they make stuff like this look really easy. Of course, it's always easier to just pay guys like Mike, but it'll be far cheaper if you can handle it yourself. Follow along to see how, then practice a lot on friends' seats before you try your own.
We started with a pair of used buckets purchased from Memory Lane Collector Car Dismantler. They're for a '66-'72 GM A-body, but the tips shown in the story apply to nearly any musclecar seat. Judging by the covers these were GTO units, but the frames are so similar to other Buick, Olds, and Pontiac units that they can be considered interchangeable for all but the most die-hard resto freak. We're putting 'em in an El Camino. This seat had been spray painted black and some plastic parts were missing.
The True Cost
ITEM
SOURCE
PRICE
Used '68-'72 A-body bucket
seat cores
Memory Lane
$100.00
Pair of seat covers
OPG
$169.00
Seat-back kit, includes: seat backs,
edge trim, chrome endcaps, lower
seat sides, and chrome seat-back
lock buttons
OPG
$220.95
Pair of seat foams
OPG
$89.95
Chrome seat adjustment knobs
OPG
$23.90
Seat-back bumpers
OPG
$7.95
Hog rings and pliers
OPG
$9.95
4 square yards of burlap
Local supplier
$8.00
TOTAL
$629.70
Note: Prices were good as of press time but may change. The OPG items listed are available seperately-we have shown the most economical method of purchasing them. Nearly any other interior item you need for a Chevelle, El Camino, or GTO is available from OPG. Just FYI, Mike Ambrose would have charged about $250 for this installation.
The True Cost
ITEM
SOURCE
PRICE
Used '68-'72 A-body bucket
seat cores
Memory Lane
$100.00
Pair of seat covers
OPG
$169.00
Seat-back kit, includes: seat backs,
edge trim, chrome endcaps, lower
seat sides, and chrome seat-back
lock buttons
OPG
$220.95
Pair of seat foams
OPG
$89.95
Chrome seat adjustment knobs
OPG
$23.90
Seat-back bumpers
OPG
$7.95
Hog rings and pliers
OPG
$9.95
4 square yards of burlap
Local supplier
$8.00
TOTAL
$629.70
Note: Prices were good as of press time but may change. The OPG items listed are available seperately-we have shown the most economical method of purchasing them. Nearly any other interior item you need for a Chevelle, El Camino, or GTO is available from OPG. Just FYI, Mike Ambrose would have charged about $250 for this installation.
