Speedster Seats

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Ed Lawrence
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Speedster Seats

#1 Post by Ed Lawrence »

Happy Saturday Everyone,

I've been thinking about putting Speedster seats in my 1959 sunroof coupe. My question is, does anyone know who'd be the go to person to have a set built?

Thanks!
Ed Lawrence
1959 sunroof coupe
Instagram - @the.ed.lawrence
www.356sog.org

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Sean M Rooks
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Tag: '64 C Coupe
Location: Richmond, VA

Re: Speedster Seats

#2 Post by Sean M Rooks »

Ed,

Are you looking for steel, aluminum, or fiberglass?

Zim's Autotechnik offers either aluminum or steel seat shells. https://www.allzim.com/store/356-parts/ ... rts/seats/

You'll need to source the base hardware (and decide if you want to use an original style wooden frame or a steel one as on GTs). Then you can have them upholstered where you like. Autos International does a great job. You can even buy foam, cover and carpet back kits online if you're feeling adventurous enough to try upholstering them yourself. I've done a set of fiberglass ones before (not well) and it wasn't too difficult. My issue was the covers, seats, and foam were a mismatch so I'd try to get a set from one source.

For a one-stop-shop I recommend Russ Rodriguez at Fibersteel. https://fibersteel.com/

He is doing a set of fiberglass GT seats for my '64 C coupe and can provide everything - seat shells, upholstering, and install hardware to fit your car. His work is beautiful and pricey but probably cheaper than trying to get all the bits yourself. Budget around $4K for 2 seats.

-Sean

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Frank Hood
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Re: Speedster Seats

#3 Post by Frank Hood »

Ed

Check out this post:

viewtopic.php?f=14&t=41794

Dave is a true craftsman and his seats work with original Speedster bases and hinges.

Frank

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Bil Brown
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Re: Speedster Seats

#4 Post by Bil Brown »

Something that none of the aluminum or steel repro Speedster seats have.....are the punched out little darts to attach the upholstery to. I mentioned that to both of the vendors that were pitching seats at RennV, but neither knew what I was talking about!
Last edited by Bil Brown on Sat Feb 03, 2018 4:18 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Bill Brown

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Frank Hood
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Re: Speedster Seats

#5 Post by Frank Hood »

Bill

Maybe one of our experts can chime in but I believe original GT seats did not have the darts to attach upholstery and it was simply glued on.

Frank

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Bil Brown
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Re: Speedster Seats

#6 Post by Bil Brown »

wrong.......original aluminum seat had the darts.....at least the 4 that I have owned. Pic from Justin Rio`s site.....his orig aluminum seats.
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Ed Lawrence
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Re: Speedster Seats

#7 Post by Ed Lawrence »

Thanks Sean, Frank and Bill!

As for the material the shell is made of, I really don't have a preference. I'd just like a one stop shop that could do everything if possible.

Does Dave Miller also do the upholstery work on his seat shells?
Ed Lawrence
1959 sunroof coupe
Instagram - @the.ed.lawrence
www.356sog.org

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Craig Richter
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Re: Speedster Seats

#8 Post by Craig Richter »

Russ Rodriguez at Fibersteel does.
 

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Frank Hood
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Re: Speedster Seats

#9 Post by Frank Hood »

Bill

Thanks for the post... now I know the rest of the story.

Ed

Dave Miller does not do upholstery.

Frank

Edwin Ek
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Re: Speedster Seats

#10 Post by Edwin Ek »

bil brown wrote:wrong.......original aluminum seat had the darts.....at least the 4 that I have owned. Pic from Justin Rio`s site.....his orig aluminum seats.
Original steel GT seats have the darts also. I think all varieties did.

There is a fellow who makes reproduction steel Speedster seat shells with the darts. He posts on the other forum.
#6386

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Bil Brown
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Re: Speedster Seats

#11 Post by Bil Brown »

I agree Edwin...ALL Speedster seats had the darts.
Bill Brown

Michael Foster
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Re: Speedster Seats

#12 Post by Michael Foster »

Talked to Autos International about lack of darts on reproduction seats and they no longer use darts in recovering seats, glueing the material instead. So to upholsterer it doesn't matter. That said if I am paying for speedster seats I prefer original darts too. Only one I have found that has them are seats made by Reutter. They usually sell thru ebay or their store.
Michael Foster
MICHAEL FOSTER

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Jim Liberty
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Re: Speedster Seats

#13 Post by Jim Liberty »

IMG_0955-002.JPG
I have Fiber Steel (Russ R.) seats in a number of my cars. GT, not Speedster. He can provide the entire set-up, including slides, etc. Both Tiffany and I prefer these to stock for touring, much more comfortable. I did my '63 daily driver in Vinyl/corduroy inserts.
Jim Liberty

Ed Lawrence
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Re: Speedster Seats

#14 Post by Ed Lawrence »

Thanks everyone, sounds like Russ Rodriguez at Fibersteel is the way to go.

This is why I love this community, lots of good info and I learned something about original seats having darts in them.... very cool.
Ed Lawrence
1959 sunroof coupe
Instagram - @the.ed.lawrence
www.356sog.org

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Jim Liberty
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Re: Speedster Seats

#15 Post by Jim Liberty »

You can see mine are well worn. The Best Porsche seat out there for long distance touring. ...................Jim.
Jim Liberty

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