Original versus correct?

For those who obsess about exactly how their 356 left the factory!
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Jim Johnston
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Original versus correct?

#1 Post by Jim Johnston »

There shouldn't be a difference, I would think, but sometimes there might be.

I have been told by Ralph at Autos International that the leading edge of the rear seat back on a '59 coupe should have a welt or cord running from side to side, although the welt is missing on cabriolets (it is just rounded, rather than being squared off). Another source I consider to be expert on 356 interiors also believes that at least '59 coupes had this welt on the top/front of the rear seat back. On my '59 Coupe, however, the original, factory installed vinyl cover of my rear seat back is rounded with no welt. At first I figured that Hans had one too many beers at lunch and reached for a cab instead of a coupe seat back when installing the interior on my car. Then I noted that an unmolested one owner '59 coupe recently auctioned on Bring-a-trailer also had a rounded, no-welt rear seat back. I've checked my library and found both types of seat back edges in photos, but then you never know the history of these cars.

So, I need some forum wisdom. What is the correct treatment of the leading edge for a '59 coupe - welt or no welt? Which does your '59 coupe have? Or your '59 cab? What about earlier T2 cars?

Jim
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Jim Johnston
Registry # 1308
'59 Coupe
'72 911E Coupe

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Greg Bryan
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Re: Original versus correct?

#2 Post by Greg Bryan »

Jim - can you post a picture ... ?

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C J Murray
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Re: Original versus correct?

#3 Post by C J Murray »

I wouldn't call the BAT car unmolested. Sometimes things that look original are really not.
'57 Speedster
'59 Sunroof
'60 Devin D Porsche Race Car
'63 Cabriolet "Norm"
'67 911 S Original Owner
'03 Ferrari 575M
'09 Smart Passion

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Jim Johnston
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Re: Original versus correct?

#4 Post by Jim Johnston »

Here are photos of a seat back with the welt (in green). This is not original vinyl but was made to duplicate the original vinyl that came on the seat. The other photo shows the original rear seat that came on my car (black with oatmeal carpet). If you look closely you can see there is no welt on the top edge. Sorry I don't have a better shot of this. The wood base of the seat back may differ between the two types to accommodate the different coverings, but I'm not sure.
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59 seat back.jpg
Don seat back.jpeg
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Jim Johnston
Registry # 1308
'59 Coupe
'72 911E Coupe

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Jim Johnston
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Posts: 122
Joined: Wed Mar 26, 2008 8:41 am
Location: Knoxville TN

Re: Original versus correct?

#5 Post by Jim Johnston »

Do you have a '59 coupe with original vinyl on the rear seat back? Let me know if it has a welt or cord across the top/front edge or if it is rounded with no welt. Thanks much!
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Jim Johnston
Registry # 1308
'59 Coupe
'72 911E Coupe

Steve Douglas
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Re: Original versus correct?

#6 Post by Steve Douglas »

Late 59 Coupe 108438 has welting cord
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backseat1.jpg

John Wurner
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Re: Original versus correct?

#7 Post by John Wurner »

Hi Jim
My late (Oct) 58 Cab does not have the welt.
John
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interior back.jpg

Rick Woltz
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Re: Original versus correct?

#8 Post by Rick Woltz »

My July 59 Coupe 108363 has the welt
Rick Woltz

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