I want to replace my worn out seat foam in my front seats. I have the replacements on order from Brant. I believe that the seat coverings in the Shelby are original to the car, but they could have been replaced along the way. My question is how do I tell? Do the original covers have a manufacturer's marking or tag somewhere on the material? Thanks in advance, Denny
I haven't done any in quite a while, but I seem to remember a date stamped on the inside.
Quote from: 6S1568 on May 01, 2018, 12:05:01 PM
I want to replace my worn out seat foam in my front seats. I have the replacements on order from Brant. I believe that the seat coverings in the Shelby are original to the car, but they could have been replaced along the way. My question is how do I tell? Do the original covers have a manufacturer's marking or tag somewhere on the material? Thanks in advance, Denny
Typically welting size differs. Larger diameter and smaller diameter on originals .Repros typically only have the larger.
What I have observed on the new foam, it is much puffier or more full. I am not sure if the original foam was this way and has just compressed over the years, but the fuller foam to me just does not look right.
Cory
Denny,
Original foam will have Carroll Shelby's signature on it. ;)
Or his butt print.
When you have the seats redone, are you going to replicate the wire that is weaved into the burlap? Does anybody have a source on this wire and the recipe for the weave? I expect most re-upholster jobs leave this wire out. I am assuming this wire is to keep the burlap from sagging or squeezing out.
See second image in the below link for this wire.
http://www.mustangandfords.com/how-to/interior-electrical/1408-how-to-rebuild-a-1965-1969-mustang-bench-seat/
Thanks
Cory
Like many things its often easier to tell (if your looking at something) when something is not originally. Signs of replaced, burlap, clips, material and so on.
You have two kinds of padding. One sewn in between the surface and the layer below in the centers and then you have the thick heavy padding between the upholstery and the frame. As mentioned get the wrong stuff or too much and the seats start looking puffy and it gets more difficult to get the seams to line up where they were originally especially along the top edge. They start taking on the look of 68 seats ::)
Markings on the back of the material, the feel of the surface and such all can be part of the investigation help for other parts of the seat
Cory - we've always been able to reuse the wires. Sorry stuff just normally does not have that much rust out here
Quote from: 6s1640 on May 01, 2018, 02:01:31 PM
When you have the seats redone, are you going to replicate the wire that is weaved into the burlap? Does anybody have a source on this wire and the recipe for the weave? I expect most re-upholster jobs leave this wire out. I am assuming this wire is to keep the burlap from sagging or squeezing out.
See second image in the below link for this wire.
http://www.mustangandfords.com/how-to/interior-electrical/1408-how-to-rebuild-a-1965-1969-mustang-bench-seat/
Thanks
Cory
Thin wire and a lot of time. It can be done.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/rUk50JvPMXTmZe4lvNIFNjZxYFRkMON7WkkyJ3HAnnOOqyvImsCnTdsUmvnrcV3iXkSvB09ERbH7u40yY8dIbdvuPLiPBqyJ10be5eOwPiN00rulzHkxLvBqSSJ9a5I7bC4cpY8jAzG9ItLwLiowlQ8QM_SxtyPO6Gx0vVDblJdRePYRLIy7yzlFKT3KHsnrgxYTmmNSvcYBdOJI8qYe6FMs4s2k09bOyJYjsC4xj1ITE8Pk3A_FeWqehIlms5mcyTXlx7bbc39e1aeeYAYdiKBjMFDWttSDTEIQUPsvrpgkMAh8rmf8JWgj_vUhFlE4OfdvYpXwgMAbV9hv6dWdGmMSYrnXYew_x_V9LNm-spHiNbPyQQ_BB8TqUMDNQMcd47A8z3POL5wE74BvGJBT179Z1y88hRXHhr_yVmYfuh3AW8ef30yIop83HqWeJBa9Z7DMUjGYW-iuk9ZoMs6WJsJ3XNseR3j6AU4LPldTzBXZynDn_Nixs2T1UMavoVEyORrRtlix18pnFfsjvgyZsRWx-cyOyJq9s0IWa_Cbx3I0nWugTcmra2iMRCjqUh_6VShfEpKuWF7r6aiiut0T-k2AcPu3yh8QdBiFKRU8=w800-no)
Quote from: 6s1640 on May 01, 2018, 01:21:53 PM
What I have observed on the new foam, it is much puffier or more full. I am not sure if the original foam was this way and has just compressed over the years, but the fuller foam to me just does not look right.
Cory
Done properly, it can be made to look quite nice.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/iFWhyk8BsyYFX94EMXK-62I-16NTMWqD-O7O0AnjPTwzA9i4faWPB3NinVEX09IsodHF-08UNEtcRcEHpXa8RgPYAcp0G2egcutdRx9Ksdcq0IdffGZh8GGtVaW4_NIkNox_yQesX4jiGR_zfRSsGjU0vlB_Y_5XsngEKNE_NO_XpbJnLURAe69lA934mSxGiAV5sDZv2J94MqGPpoQt9D_mDJD6G80og6P0xbcVygmKbppp6lKN5fmHAlwPawYo1lERqg6iSqg9__OwkfLC_PdIADl4p8FXPggbLoTqIm40YXsWszwD2bFPoNX3w2pBEiwECvm36VOXqdBgzSubHRRW3HQt_IDov4lTeVnUlcI3WAVTECqosYxffcTn534fCETIkVM3ge98trBqPzooqcnt4Z4isdeWazEL15OqFolJzT_mQT_kqjCbz2HMwLSfwOYqIR6NXn2Nsp6I0ItYqoZvt5-7tSW8hihrrRxXkraw0R1P1VD0kHwr-5U0MXb-7s1TxSP4O6FEhd3haxyjja62sJ7cOpmeVo4u_P8zjEIFbeFOMpU7UVhHjxgxkMj4drI3r3FdaJVj_AgLe_WUGcv0pYc1--KlIPQLh5Iq=w577-h769-no)
I have noted that my original seats have a bluish color thread in the seat cushion areas. Maybe the stiching has faded with time and sun or maybe that is the way they were originally.
The vinyl material used by Distinctive Industries ( the only brand I have used at this point ) is "softer" than original seat material. The original material "seemed" more "plastic" (in the day) to the point where it would harden and crack. It could be the material reacted differently to "baking" in the California sun than current materials.
Randy
Quote from: march66 on May 01, 2018, 03:05:05 PM
I have noted that my original seats have a bluish color thread in the seat cushion areas. Maybe the stiching has faded with time and sun or maybe that is the way they were originally.
The blueish tinted thread is very commonly seen on original black interiors. That is what happens to black thread when it fades. It doesn't make sense for the factory to use a blueish thread on black interior.
Thanks everyone for your input on the seat covers.
Brain, I see where Carroll Shelby's signature is located on the seat foam. I tried to snap a photo of it, but the signature has fadded and can't be picked up by my camera lens. You'll have to take my word for it!
Next, to Side Oilers, I always wondered whose butt imprint was embedded in my seat covers, thanks for that!
Bob and Cory, I've posted a couple photos here for you guys to study. I do see the blue thread that you mentioned. I'm not sure about the beading size since I don't have anything to compare it with. Perhaps you can tell from the photos.
Randy, are you well pleased with your covers from Distinctive Industries? Where did you get them?
Brant, thanks for posting the photo, those seats look perfect to me.
Cory, I'll try to get photos again once I've removed the covers. I wasn't aware of the wires that run through the burlap. I'm guessing that you're correct in that most reupholster shops don't do it.
(http://www.saacforum.com/gallery/156-010518175126.jpeg)
(http://www.saacforum.com/gallery/156-010518175234.jpeg)
(http://www.saacforum.com/gallery/156-010518175312.jpeg)
Denny,
Local swap meets for Mustang seats. This will be "my" first shot at a "recover" for my Shelby. I simply ran out of untorn originals. Had to go the recover route. The ones for my Ranchero came from Virginia.
Quote from: 6S1568 on May 01, 2018, 06:03:34 PM
Thanks everyone for your input on the seat covers.
Brain, I see where Carroll Shelby's signature is located on the seat foam. I tried to snap a photo of it, but the signature has fadded and can't be picked up by my camera lens. You'll have to take my word for it!
Next, to Side Oilers, I always wondered whose butt imprint was embedded in my seat covers, thanks for that!
Bob and Cory, I've posted a couple photos here for you guys to study. I do see the blue thread that you mentioned. I'm not sure about the beading size since I don't have anything to compare it with. Perhaps you can tell from the photos.
Randy, are you well pleased with your covers from Distinctive Industries? Where did you get them?
Brant, thanks for posting the photo, those seats look perfect to me.
Cory, I'll try to get photos again once I've removed the covers. I wasn't aware of the wires that run through the burlap. I'm guessing that you're correct in that most reupholster shops don't do it.
(http://www.saacforum.com/gallery/156-010518175126.jpeg)
(http://www.saacforum.com/gallery/156-010518175234.jpeg)
(http://www.saacforum.com/gallery/156-010518175312.jpeg)
Show the top side because that is the most important part IMO because it is seen. The bottom isn't seen once installed. The top side is also the easiest way to tell if original or like original (in the case of a concours recover) .
Top side photos.
(http://www.saacforum.com/gallery/156-010518204652.jpeg)
(http://www.saacforum.com/gallery/156-010518204805.jpeg)
(http://www.saacforum.com/gallery/156-010518204729.jpeg)
Quote from: 6S1568 on May 01, 2018, 08:51:49 PM
Top side photos.
(http://www.saacforum.com/gallery/156-010518204652.jpeg)
(http://www.saacforum.com/gallery/156-010518204805.jpeg)
(http://www.saacforum.com/gallery/156-010518204729.jpeg)
Notice the smaller diameter inner welting in comparison to the larger diameter outer welting. The contrast diameters are what is seen in original seat upholstery. Although the upholstery looks typical the seat bottom appears to have been over stuffed at some point by a PO.
Bob, Thanks so much for your input. I now see what you mean by the smaller diameter inner welting in comparison to the larger diameter outer welting. Denny
A fast, easy way to tell if its an Original Ford Seat cover is that if you turn the seat over, The bottom material will have cloth "stretchings" for the listing rods (As Brants's first and third pics show plainly illustrate on his original seat) where you hogring the hogrings. No Repro seat covers ever had these cloth "Stretchings"... All Repro Seat covers just continue the vinyl material to the end where the hogring holes are and don't have cloth material sewn on for the listing rods. The repros have like a felt material (not cloth) used for the listing rods just sewn to the vinyl.
:o)
Tony K.
The welting is the little bead visible between the panels. As Mr Gaines stated, if you look closely the welting is different diameters. Once you know that, its easy to spot.
Some of the repro 'welting' is made with the vinyl that matches the seats instead of solid plastic like originals.
It is my understanding the welting on original seats was extruded, after market seats have a rope type material covered with vinyl. Thoughts?
As Charles mentions, the original was not a vinyl covered cord. I think there is a possibility that some brands may still be using this wrapped cord.
We handle TMI upholstery, which uses a much nicer cord than the wrapped stuff.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/AYnAktEd2zDwkaZASBrKaiBdbNC15Ykj-3ePZBahKFA4T0oKjVPcRSFxGkhoF0Zlr88EAOyJKeoaJHjksVfR_M_vHhStZw0HlykFghtOqj1kVtjzBHH_6CoGipMvLCk_wrFT3tkXzwTe8LwKBDc0_iHTBl5z-Kq7yTSgaprhR21S3k-NzGDlSpA3cGh2x453MRp-v3NCwYbhotDrovIpM_bkhAIZQGGhVubZ5DdvoeB-b4HVkDW7D847OG_F2lbfskdE7_NI9gSYQ-i7XLGmWmGWKTCH0ovPw-ZdB7w--6UGiKqgiK4yLb2lFckHdqALvncyql9Ny99N4IUtOIjkW-c1dEcnXSICz8stYufqdGUDqWDmfiOouN8sImBlXetffVqioNGMU2xsFDSZezyoGiLh3Wz_AV2vjpKR3W07Ok3aZ1sK_HfRoO0VVA2HX-C-cWSFuAm9KxUY7jKD-8NlKSJvt5XdM9m9LwsKWEp8eO4u2UwTjMI3wJsUpOes-kqToJT0W_JwmhyzcF2sYlxXhCpJIGtC--LyJqKr2jTOqC-gpMc9R3rvMjh0ZaRurzfTXIncmbGD6Jeh60KlCz6HvUdSuMELixDRMyDbL2RZ=w577-h769-no)
You can also see that the "inner" cord around the insert of the seat is much smaller than the outside one.