67 headrest conversion

[jims427400]

When I purchased my car in January,It came w/no headrests.When inspecting my tank sticker the car originally had them from factory.Any help on who to buy them from and install suggestions? Thanks Jim

 

[stepinwolf]

Recommendation

You will be ahead by purchasing the assemblies from AL or Wally Knoch. They are actually the suppliers to other Corvette resellers who sell them back to you. There is some serious mig work to install the supports into the seat back's so if you are not endowed with upholstery, and welding skills, I would recommend that you have them done in a reputable shop.

The parts and labour can be rather expensive, so be sure you make the correct decision the first time around.

Stepinwolf

 

[PTighe]

When I purchased my car in January,It came w/no headrests.When inspecting my tank sticker the car originally had them from factory.Any help on who to buy them from and install suggestions? Thanks Jim

I had the exact same problem on my '67, some previous owner had switched the headrest seats for standard seats, which didn't have the brace welded on the back.

Bought all the parts from Zip for about $400 and had the Chevy dealer mig weld the brace on the back of the seat frame. Expensive but not difficult. PT

 

[paul67]

I went through that process about a year ago. A number of vendors sell the various parts but as noted above, I suspect there is only one - perhaps two - actual manufacturers.

The pics above show the welded bracket very nicely. I chose to have the work done by a local automobile glass/upholstery firm. The seats were stripped, the frames cleaned and painted, the welding done, and the foams, covers and headrests installed for $350CDN (~$300US). That to me was a bargain.

At the same time I installed shoulder belts.

 

[stepinwolf]

Great job

Paul, you are to be congratulated on the excellent job your people did on those seats of yours, real killer look's.

I had the same color combo done in leather by Al Knoch's about a year ago for a customer of mine, and although his car originally had the option, I couldn't convince him to go through the trouble, and expence of having the headrests installed. His loss. Once again beautiful seats you have there.

Stepinwolf

 

[paul67]

Thanks Stepinwolf for the kind words. Not everyone likes the look of the headrests and I guess your customer was in that group. And the Black Book notes that only 1,762 1967s were delivered with them. So they weren't a great hit back then either!

For the interest of the original poster, here is the bare unit.

 

[BarryK]

personally, I love the headrest seats. If it wouldn't look so out of place and so obviously "wrong' from stock i'd have the seats in my '65 converted to headrest ones.
There are a few items I'm willing to add to my car that are not stock (such as A/C for comfort on those really hot days and PS) but i'm still trying to keep my car looking as stock as possible which rules out the headrests. Makes me think I should have held out for a '67 when I bought mine just so I could have had the headrests in them
If my car was a '67 i'd convert my seats without thinking twice about it.

 

[stepinwolf]

However, not to critize but

Paul,

As I was looking closely at the photo you posted of the seats, I couldn't help but notice a small oversight that was made during the finishing of your door jam area.

When A Corvette is finished with different interior and exterior colours, the transition point for the colours is at the peak line on the lip that runs down the inner door jam surface. When finishing this area, the outer side ( along with the wind lace trim ) is painted exterior colour, and the inner section is finished in the same colour as the interior trim.

In your case when viewed from the exterior, everything seen in the door jam including the trim piece at the top should be green. Then when viewed from the interior, all you should be seeing, should be painted saddle or tan colour.

Check the picture of the convertible that I previously posted, and you will understand a little bit better, what I am trying to explain.

Stepinwolf

 

[stepinwolf]

personally, I love the headrest seats. If it wouldn't look so out of place and so obviously "wrong' from stock I'd have the seats in my '65 converted to headrest ones.
There are a few items I'm willing to add to my car that are not stock (such as A/C for comfort on those really hot days and PS) but I'm still trying to keep my car looking as stock as possible which rules out the headrests. Makes me think I should have held out for a '67 when I bought mine just so I could have had the headrests in them
If my car was a '67 I'd convert my seats without thinking twice about it.

Barry, I can understand your reluctance to the headrests because of the model year, but I have learned many restorations ago that the car should be built for ourselves, and the way we would like to have it, rather then what is acceptable to certain groups within our hobby. In other words if the headrests turn you on, then for God's sake, make your day and go for a set.

I doubt that when anyone sees you drive by with that beautiful Corvette of yours, they would pass comments such as " look at the great Corvette Barry is driving," what a shame he installed headrests for the look's and safety factor, because it's completely wrong for a 65. ! A lot of bull**** if you ask me, but hey: what do I know about anything

 

[BarryK]

Step
I understand what you mean 100% and i'm the first one that usually say's "hey, it's your name on the car's title so do with it as you wish". but because my car is original numbers matching with most of the real original componets in her the "purist" in me hesitats to make any "major' changes to that.
If my car was NOM that it wouldn't be an issue and i'd do it in an instant.
As much as I was thrilled to find an original #'s matching car when I was looking for one last year (and plan on keeping it forever), the next car will probably be a NOM car just so I can do with it as I wish without worrying so much about if it's "correct' or not.
I don't go thru NCRS judging so I'm not concerned about headrest seats being incorrect for that reason, just that since my car is so stock i'd rather try to keep in in proper stock condition. I've considered purchasing a second set of seats and convert them to headrest seats, than storing my originals, but that will get a bit pricey.

 

[paul67]

Thanks for the paint tip! That pic was taken last year but during the recent paintjob that saddle trim piece was removed so it remains tan-coloured. I do have several rattle cans of Goodwood Green so I can remedy that situation quickly.