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Welcome to FordPinto.com, The home of the PCCA => General Help- Ask the Experts... => Topic started by: 442 on October 11, 2019, 07:36:48 AM

Title: Seat covers recommendation?
Post by: 442 on October 11, 2019, 07:36:48 AM
Hi, I'm looking for the best fitting pre-made seat covers for a 72' Runabout.  Anyone know of a source?  The back seat is probably a challenge I suspect....

Thanks
Title: Re: Seat covers recommendation?
Post by: dga57 on October 12, 2019, 12:13:48 AM
I'm not aware of any aftermarket seat covers made specifically for a Pinto other than some I looked at a couple years ago from Lseat.com.  As I recall, these were genuine leather seat covers for the front seats only and I'm not sure if they fit Pinto seats across all model years or not.  That being said, I read some customer reviews of Lseat.com and they were mostly negative... but then, it's usually only the dissatisfied customers who write reviews, so I don't know whether or not that's indicative of their overall performance, or just a small percentage of their sales.  I also don't know whether or not they're still in business.  I ultimately decided to go with professional reupholstering rather than manufactured seat covers, so that ended my probe into the matter.  I realize this isn't very helpful, but what I would say is: this is an instance where the internet can be your best friend.  If there's anything out there at all suitable, that's where you'll find it.  Good luck!

Dwayne :)
Title: Re: Seat covers recommendation?
Post by: 442 on October 12, 2019, 06:39:27 AM
Thanks for the reply, I'll eventually do the same and have these recovered, but for now just want to make them presentable. 
Title: Re: Seat covers recommendation?
Post by: Henrius on November 16, 2019, 08:19:30 PM
Hi, I'm looking for the best fitting pre-made seat covers for a 72' Runabout.  Anyone know of a source?  The back seat is probably a challenge I suspect....

Thanks

Long time ago I had a sheepskin cover made for my 73 and it sure was comfortable. Cool in the summer, too. The company was Sheep to Seat and I don't think they are in business anymore.

An upholstery guy in Atlanta said there are a few shops that will custom manufacture seat covers. I am looking for one for my Chrysler Newport.
Title: Re: Seat covers recommendation?
Post by: JoeBob on November 16, 2019, 11:56:14 PM
You can get made to order seat covers for both front and rear seats. I don't remember what company I used. Fronts were about $250 and back was $180. They don't look original but don't look like a cover either. Just google custom fit auto seat covers.
Title: Re: Seat covers recommendation?
Post by: 442 on November 17, 2019, 09:16:45 AM
Thanks for the help guys, I just put some inexpensive Baja saddle weave universal fit covers for now.  At some point I will just get the seats recovered professionally and be done with it.  I actually have another set of front seats in very good condition but they are the wrong color and have the plastic backs that my original seats did not come with.  Trying to stay as original as possible.

Thanks again!
Title: Re: Seat covers recommendation?
Post by: Henrius on November 17, 2019, 05:31:57 PM
Thanks for the help guys, I just put some inexpensive Baja saddle weave universal fit covers for now.  At some point I will just get the seats recovered professionally and be done with it.  I actually have another set of front seats in very good condition but they are the wrong color and have the plastic backs that my original seats did not come with.  Trying to stay as original as possible.

Thanks again!

When you get ready, my local upholsterer was able to find exact match fabric from SMS I think. It's going to cost you!  Of  course if you are not stuck to going absolutely original, doing a fabric insert in the middle would be much more comfortable and breathable, especially if the car lacks A/c like mine.
Title: Re: Seat covers recommendation?
Post by: 442 on November 18, 2019, 07:43:42 AM
Good point, I don't have AC either, I'll have to take that into account,

Thanks
Title: Re: Seat covers recommendation?
Post by: ponyboy on November 30, 2019, 01:34:00 PM
Try www.seatcovers unlimited.com/ I had them make a new set for my 1964 Fairlane. You cannot tell them from factory upholstery. I had mine done in marine grade vinyl, because that car sets out in the AZ sun. They have lasted over seven years so far, and are still in good condition. They claim they can make covers for pretty much any car. Their quality is top notch.
Title: Re: Seat covers recommendation?
Post by: Henrius on November 30, 2019, 07:47:09 PM
Try www.seatcovers unlimited.com/ I had them make a new set for my 1964 Fairlane. You cannot tell them from factory upholstery. I had mine done in marine grade vinyl, because that car sets out in the AZ sun. They have lasted over seven years so far, and are still in good condition. They claim they can make covers for pretty much any car. Their quality is top notch.


Thanks so much. This is exactly the type of outfit I was looking for! Looks like I can have sheepskin seat covers to fit over the driver's seat just like I had when I was going to college!
Title: Re: Seat covers recommendation?
Post by: 442 on December 01, 2019, 08:38:20 AM
Try www.seatcovers unlimited.com/ I had them make a new set for my 1964 Fairlane. You cannot tell them from factory upholstery. I had mine done in marine grade vinyl, because that car sets out in the AZ sun. They have lasted over seven years so far, and are still in good condition. They claim they can make covers for pretty much any car. Their quality is top notch.

Thanks, I'll give them a call, would really like to go back original!

Richard
Title: Re: Seat covers recommendation?
Post by: Henrius on December 01, 2019, 12:36:44 PM
These are seat covers. They do not match the original upholstery. For that, you will need to find original fabric (probably from SMS) and have an upholsterer redo the seats. Seat covers just cover what is on them. Occasionally the foam and springs underneath need repair as well
Title: Re: Seat covers recommendation?
Post by: 442 on December 01, 2019, 01:41:10 PM
Ok, gotcha,
thanks again
Title: Re: Seat covers recommendation?
Post by: ponyboy on December 01, 2019, 04:36:27 PM
Yes, they are just covers, and they do not exactly match the original in either color or pattern. But they do not look like seat covers as we tend to think about them. They fit perfectly, and look just like upholstery. You can't tell the difference by either looking at them or siting on them. To get an exact match would require a good sample of the original. A good upholstery shop should be able to come very close. The exact material will not be made anymore. And it will be expensive. I got some exact match upholstery for my former 1976 Corvette from a place called Ecklers 25+ years. They were a very close match but not absolutely perfect. And Ecklers is a restoration parts place. Plus the originals were worn and faded and stained. So it is impossible to know what they looked like when they were new. Seatcoversunli mited's custom fit covers amazing for what they cost.

I had the woodgrain on my '73 wagon replaced by a sign shop that does vinyl body wraps. I'm sure it is not an exact match, the old woodgrain vinyl was so badly damaged they had nothing to match. I looked at some samples and picked one. It came out looking original to me.

It is very difficult and probably impossible to find exact reproduction parts for a Pinto. I can't even find a place that has a Pinto parts catalog. People just don't seem to be restoring Pintos, at least not back to completely stock. It is hard enough just to find parts to keep them running. I am terrified of getting a broken window, because it would probably be irreplaceable.
Title: Re: Seat covers recommendation?
Post by: JoeBob on December 02, 2019, 12:49:17 AM
lots of windows here. https://www.fordpinto.com/general-pinto-talk/junkyard-near-denver-has-pintos/msg181565/#msg181565