Leather or Vinyl ????

[HammerDown]

Now just hold on there...I'n not talking the whole seat in vinyl! Debating if I should go with ALL leather seats...or leather/vinyl as my oem 81 seats are now. Any thoughts on which would be more durable? My OE seats lasted a long time...till the vinyl cracked on the drivers side (yea where ya get in and out)...just not sure if the leather in the side area will be as durable?...Comments.
Thanks for any info...

 

[mmvette80]

I used all vinyl and a very happy with them. Ive put almost 10,000 miles on them and they still look new. I put them in because I drive the car alot and the oyster is hard to keep clean. They are super easy to clean. One day when I dont drive as much ill get the 100% leather seats.

 

[secondchance]

One tip, if its the alsm shell seats, if I remember correctly, it easy to switch driver side and the passenger side. After you have it repaired, switch them when you start to see wear on the bolster by the door. I have a 94 and, although it took some doing, switched sides.

 

[HammerDown]

Thanks for the advice...I'm going with the O.E. Leather/vinyl...2" sides...and I like the idea of switching the bottoms to help on the wear!

 

[Glensgages]

When I got my '82 three years ago, it only had 11,000+ miles, but the vinyl was split in the same place. A local upholstery shop got matching vinyl, took the seat out, removed the cover, replaced the faulty panel, and re-installed the seat, for less than $200. At local Corvette Shows, I've asked 'experts' if they can tell, and they can't! Just another option, cheaper than all new covers.......

 

[HammerDown]

I tryed that rout first...the few places I went to didnt want the job...go figure.

 

[Glensgages]

Sorry to hear that; I'd look harder. The one-man-shop that fixed mine treated me SO good, I bought more vinyl, and had him make me matching T-top bags, too (I think the original bags are cheezie)! The vinyl has a 'softer' inside than the OEM bags, and he threw-in matching button/snaps, too! Look around Philly or Jersey; there GOTTA be somebody who'll replace that side piece.

 

[HammerDown]

Some of the more well known shops...told me that I'd be better off buying the covers with new foam and paying them to install them. I think there (may) be some other issues with a color match...my Vette has 112,000 miles on it and it might be hard to get the color dialed in (unless they dyed the whole seat). My seats are Red and the upper side bolsters are just a little faided as compared to the leather skirts...The more i look at my seats...I'm thinking a new fresh set would look better...the carpets and dash and door panels still look great.
Thanks for the info...Ray

 

[Glensgages]

I was lucky; mine had just 13,000 miles w/ very little wear showing, but I thought I'd have a hard time matching the '82-only Dark Red. The guy had a sample, laying on his shelf! Good luck w/ your '81!!!