61 Resto

I am trying to decide to replace or fully rebuild my 61 seats (needs new coils/cushions/etc). One option that may give more leg room is Al Knock retro seats which is advertised to give more leg room and lower seat. Does anyone have any feedback on them for a 61. Is there another seat recomendation (and save the originals with the car for later) or just do a full rebuild the current ones? Thanks

mike coletta

I've installed about 25 sets in C-1 cars. Here's a modified set, done in a 61 sew pattern (sort of). They sit nice. You'll have to drill new mount holes in your floor, and they are kind of a PITA to install, but worth the look and the feel.

Mike Coletta

61 Resto

Mike - Thanks for the feedback, any one else tried any other seat options that they liked? I am leaning towards Al Knock instead of a complete rebuild

wmf62

Wise Guys?

http://www.wiseguys-seats.com/index.html

Bill

firstgear

AK retro seats ARE wise guy frames, EXCEPT that AK modifies them to be right and left in order to clear the soft top bracket otherwise the seat will rub the soft top bracket and you will end up with a hole there.

I have AK retro seats in my 60. They did give the extra room I was after.

61 Resto

Thanks for the pic's and info on the seat frames. My current problem is the hole caused by the soft top bracket (looks like previous owner tried moving them back which caused the wear. Was looking at trying to modify frame but did not want to modify original frame in addtion to complete rebuilt. I plan to order later this week and will post some pics when done.

wmf62

all of the oem C1 seats i have seen hit the top frame (i've never seen one hit the bracket) if the seat is pushed all the way back. i slip a doubled-up sock over the end of the folded frame to protect the seat.
Bill

61 Resto

I have looked a little more at wise guy frames (around $900 with foam and sliders ready to cover) and also at Glide Seats (http://www.http://www.glideengineeri...et%20seat.html) which is around $700 with foam and sliders ready to cover). I have material and a guy that does seats locally. Wise guy frames can also recline (but most likly wont use that feature). Has anyone used Glide seats? Now I am thinking about ordering wise guy and covering locally.

00Nassau

I have Al Knoch seats in my 60 and live between The Woodlands and Magnolia if you would like to try them out.

my58

61Retro,

Your Interior looks great! Is that the stock tunnel cover in the pic or did you make a custom cover?

What brand shifter boot are you using?

Thanks

aworks

These are one of the first sets he did. They where only $ 1200.00 when I bought them. I sold my orig. seats for more than that. I think they are a huge improvment.

00Nassau

Billy Dawson of Corvette Corrections built the car, and I am going to have to ask him those questions.

61 Resto

As an update I rebuilt the orignal seats (new Al Knock coils, pads, and red covers) plus went down the path of Wise Guy frames with a local (Kustom Concepts) modifying the seat cushions (to make them look more like the originals) and make the seat covers. I also made an adapter (2 generations so far) so i could use the same bracket holes from the original tracks (the holes I would have needed to drill were near the frame and I wanted to be able to change out the seats and use the orignal for shows and the wise guy for driving). I like the wise guy seats so much I selling the originals. Looks like Al Knock would be a better option for finished product (they list for $2200 on their web site for vinyl cover and $2650 for leather). Kustom Concepts with wise guy frames was close to $2k. The parts for the rebuld was a little of $1 K plus labor (and original frames). Will try to post pic

Kerrmudgeon

On these, it looks like you sit much lower in the car. Do you know what the actual gain is.....?

aworks

No I don't. I never compared the two. The first year Al was selling these seats at Carlisle I bought them. I sold my orig. soon after and never put them in the car. I can say that I have been in many early cars and these seats are much more comfortable.

The OEM 61 62 seats are lower and farther back than the early ones anyway.

Kerrmudgeon

Is that a custom made wood steering wheel I see....? What's the origin of that? any good pics of it? I made my own from stainless and an old Grant Wheel.

61 Resto

Now that I figured how to post some photos will show direct comparisions between original (with new Al Knock coils, pads, cover) and Wise Guy frames with cushion and cover by Kustom Concepts (Spring, Texas). I made an adapter that also allows me to use the orignal back mounting bracket and bolts holes for the wise guy seat frame and allows me to easily swap back and forth if I want.
G]http://i53.tinypic.com/wix15s.jpg[/IMG]

61 Resto

Kustom Concepts (Spring Texas) making the seat with Wise Guy frames

61 Resto