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Hey Bill,

I actually had to go out to my car, pull a headrest, and probe around inside the hole to double-check this! It has been nearly a year!

Anyway, here's what I did: I wrapped the canvas/burlap over the springs only, but did wrap the fibre decking material over the top and the backside to just above where the cardboard strip of the cover slips into the groove. I wrapped the foam over the top where the headrests slip in, but it appears that I cut it flush with the rear edge along the top.

It sounds like you didn't wrap the fibre decking material (second layer) over the top, but this is no big deal. You can glue an extra strip across this area, and wrap it down to that groove if you wish, and it will help smooth out any funky edges within the seat frame -- don't worry about the gap between the spring deck and the frame. However, yes, try to wrap your foam over the top and cut it flush with the back edge. Cut some holes in it as well for your headrests to pass through.

I believe that the padding within the covers (the 1/2-inch foam with the cloth backing) will be enough to hide any sins/lumps/bumps from the rest of the seat frame at the rear below the headrests.

Give me a call at the shop tomorrow if this does not make sense!

Travis

I was able to patch the top of the back with some scrap decking material and extended the foam flush with the top back edge. It turned out great. Man, working the seat back cover on is like fighting a pissed off pig back into it's skin Definately a two-person job.

Both seats are finished for the trip. I'm glad I tackled the drivers seat here because there were several repairs that needed parts from a spare seat - broken top spring on back, broken seat tilt cable, missing seat tilt return spring.

I'll post pictures later (ftp connection to server is down). Thanks again Travis - nice work!

Bill

The seats turned out great and I'm enjoying their comfort.

Stripped recliner seat with repaired springs from donor seat


Base liner from Travis bonded to frame



Base padding from Travis bonded to liner and hog clipped to frame



Foam bonded to padding cut oversized to fill out covers



Comfy with stock appeal and function - nice stitching Travis


Some dash upgrades...

* Fasten Seatbelts light is lit by SDS "check engine" light
* Gauges are volts, oil temp, oil pressure, CHT

Good job on the seat cover install, Bill. I especially like what you did with the dash inserts; this looks a lot better than the typical faded wood-grain crap-ola they used back then.

BTW, I see a dark spot on the heel-pad of your carpet below the pedals: just a wet spot, or is one of your master cylinders leaking?

Travis

I love your car Bill!! The work you are carrying out is very impressive!

What is next on the list?

Have you made any videos? It would be great to hear how she sounds!!

Thanks Travis and Neil.

The wet spot on the floor and on the bolster of the driver seat is from washing the car a few minutes before the pictures. The M/C was replaced in the 90's by the previous owner and is in good shape.

I don't have any sound clips, but I may do that soon. Next up is a Tangerine Bus Header.


This is a new product developed by Chris Foley and Jake Raby for the RAT Camper Special. It may add 5-10 HP to the current 115-120 HP from my 2056. See http://forums.aircooledtechnology.com for more details.

Projects for the next year include:
1. Speakers - 6.5" in the kickpanels and a 12" sub behind the rear seat
2. Wheels/brakes/suspension - 17" Cayenne; rear disks; front disk upgrade; delrin bushings; new shocks/struts; lowered front end; refresh throughout
3. 004 rebuild - finish rebuild of spare and NOS transmissions