T5 Front Seat ID and Availability

[Dennis Vogel]

I've recently been searching for reclining front seats to go in a 1960 356B T5 coupe. Are they incredibly difficult to find, or am I looking for the wrong thing?

I have managed to find several seats for sale in classifieds and on eBay. Though if I am identifying them correctly, I have yet to find a 1960/61 T5. If I have it right, the telltale is to look at the hinges for:

1. Recline lever points to door
2. Absence of seatback restraint (the hook at the bottom of the hinge)

I've been mainly relying on the following for ID guidance:

• Seat Back Hinge Types
• Seat Hinge ID
• 356 Porsche: A Restorer's Guide to Authenticity

Thanks for clarifying or confirming.

[Dennis Vogel]

I apologize in advance for essentially bumping this topic, but I'm somewhat desperate for confirmation or clarification. Based on what I understand are the indicators for a T5 seat, I have not been able to locate a single one, in any condition, at any price. So I suspect I'm looking for the wrong thing.

My research to date suggests:

• Recline lever points to door
• No seatback restraint (the hook at the bottom of the hinge)

I've seen some seats advertised as "T5", but if the above is correct they've actually T6. Usually based on presence of the hook.

Help greatly appreciated.

[Adam Wright]

T2 seats can be used in a T5, so this might help expand your search. Finding T2 or T5 seats is rough, for every dozen T6 seats I have, I might have 1 T2/T5. Right now I don't think I have any.

The quickest way to determine if they are right is they have a chrome slider handle, the T6's have a black knob on the slider handle.

Expect to pay $1500-2000 for a core pair if you find them.

The look like this.

[Dave Lagerstrom]

Hi Dennis,

Interesting question. I just ran downstairs to look as I have a pair of seats from a T5 and from a T6. You are correct about the hook only being on the T6 seats. Also, as Adam points out, the slider handle has a black plastic knob on the T6, all chrome on the T5. There may be other differences I have not noticed but I wanted to chime in with another data point.

Cheers,
-Dave

[Bil Brown]

T5 seats have the 356A style seat rails riveted on, that the seat slides on........it`s the easy way to identify from later seats. T6 seats have a different design rail that is bolted on.

[Bruce Smith]

T2/T5 seats are out there but I learned you need to jump quick when you see them and don't be too picky (à la Adam's earlier advice). Whatever you find will likely need repair to the frames and hardware. The purchase price is just the beginning but you might be able to find some closer to the $1000-1500 range.

[Dennis Vogel]

The quickest way to determine if they are right is they have a chrome slider handle, the T6's have a black knob on the slider handle.

Ah. That is a new info to me. Thanks for sharing that Adam. That rules out a pair I had considered on Ebay.

It appears that, so far anyway, #1-2 hold true. So that would be 3 things to help ID T5.

1. Recline lever points to door
2. No seatback restraint on either seat (the hook at the bottom of the hinge)
3. Chrome slider handle (T6 have black knob)

Thanks so much everyone for sharing your knowledge and experience!

[Dennis Vogel]

T5 seats have the 356A style seat rails riveted on, that the seat slides on........it`s the easy way to identify from later seats. T6 seats have a different design rail that is bolted on.

Thanks for contributing Bill. I'm not sure I understand. Do you happen to have a photo illustrating what you're referring too?

[Dave Lagerstrom]

Here are the sliders on my T5 and T6 seats. T5 on left. Note bolts at top of rail on T6. T6 is U cross section while T5 is r cross section. Both look to have rivets on mine. Hope this helps.

[George Hussey]

t-6 are totally different than t-5 and will not fit the car even the sliders are different

[Mark Reich]

I am building a set of T5 seats. They are very different than T6 and were harder to find. Even finding the core pieces has been difficult. The back frames and spring bases for seats are not all the same, so if you get them in parts be sure they all mate up and match. The seats will be very close together so they do need to match!

Mark

[Adam Wright]

They are very different than T6 and were harder to find. Even finding the core pieces has been difficult.
Mark

Mark's right, in this sea of seats, you could count the T2/T5 ones on one hand.

[Dennis Vogel]

Here are the sliders on my T5 and T6 seats. T5 on left. Note bolts at top of rail on T6. T6 is U cross section while T5 is r cross section. Both look to have rivets on mine. Hope this helps.

Yes. Very helpful. Thanks for sharing the side-by-side photos.

[Greg Erickson]

Hi Dennis,
I have seats from my 1960 T5 that am no longer needing....l would be willing to help you out.
They are in need of repair, advise if you would be interested.

[Dennis Vogel]

T2 seats can be used in a T5, so this might help expand your search.

Can you put T5 hinges on a T2 seat?

I may have found some T2 for sale, but evidence still seems to suggest the recline lever on T5 is different. So maybe I start with a T2 base set, and swap out the hinges with T5 to be correct?