1972 Corvette LT1 Seat Restoration - Super Chevy Magazine

Here's a layout of the items that a seat is mainly comprised of. Notice the refurbished frames-they can be easily mistaken for new.

Here's a layout of the items that a seat is mainly comprised of. Notice the refurbished fr

In the last issue of SC, we introduced Project Homewrecker, Editor Jim Campisano's '72 Corvette LT-1 coupe. Our main concentration for that installment was the exterior. The crew at Motor City Auto Body gave the Vette a fresh coat of Targa Blue paint and reinstalled the majority of the exterior components.

As we get ready to give the interior a much needed makeover (which will be covered in next month's issue), we pondered on what to do with the worn and torn seats. The interior of the '68-82 Vette was a very exciting place to sit, but the materials used were prone to cracking and tearing. Our LT-1 was no exception. It came with the base interior, replete with hot, sticky vinyl seat covers. And while these chairs are remarkably comfortable to sit in, the foams were wiped out, and both the side bolters and bottom cushions looked to be on the losing end of a knife fight.

Being that a few strips of silver duct tape did not fit into our plans, we called upon Mid America Motorworks in Effingham, Illinois, yet again. As you may recall, the majority of the exterior components installed were from Mid America Motorworks. With perfect fit and all necessary hardware coming standard, we figured whom better to call in this time of uncertainty?

Once a suitable working area is established, the bolts holding the seat tracks to the lower frame must be removed. The tracks have to be slid front to back to obtain access.

Once a suitable working area is established, the bolts holding the seat tracks to the lowe

After calling Mid America Motorworks, we found that things could not be simpler. The company houses Performance Choice upholstery installation experts. All we needed to do was remove some bolts, yank the seats out, box 'em up, and out the door they went. The seat covers are available in original leather or leather-like vinyl. Moreover, Mid America Motorworks can re-do yours in the custom, two-tone colors of your choice. For the do-it-yourselfer, this company sells complete seat cover installation kits, hog ring plier kits, seat foams, and virtually any seat hardware component for Corvette seats.

If you are looking to keep costs down, you can simply purchase the seat covers, put them on, and called it a day. This is never a good idea though, because the new covers will sag on top of decades-old foam. After taking a step back and thinking for a minute, we opted for the total restoration. These seats have been in service for 35 years and 92,000 miles now. What good is tooling around from place to place in a flat, worn out seat? And while the seats are apart, it's a good time to check for other problems: cracks in the frame, a broken spring, or severe rust.

As time was of the essence, we opted to send the seats whole to Mid America Motorworks for a complete revamping. Since a genuine sports car deserves leather, we opted to upgrade the seats. After seeing and feeling the end result, we're glad we did. We also toyed with the idea of a custom two-tone interior, but at the time we were not certain what color the exterior would be painted. In the end, simple, elegant black got the nod. But we like the idea that we had the option.

We got the seats back in no time and, frankly, they may be better than new. The leather was sumptuous, and with the new foams they were absolutely perfect. Follow along as Matt Daniels of Mid America Motorworks performs the restoration process step-by-step.

After the seat tracks have been removed, the seat must be separated at the pivot point. A large Phillips-head screw resides at this location. This will allow work to be done on the seat-bottom, while the seatback gets put to the side.
After the seat tracks have been removed, the seat must be separated at the pivot point. A
Once the seatback is taken off, the lock strap for the seatback release must be unbolted and removed. When removing, it's important to also remove the lock strap shims, and remember how many are present when reinstalling.
Once the seatback is taken off, the lock strap for the seatback release must be unbolted a
Next step is to remove the seat bottom bumper bolts.

The clips attaching the seat cover to the frame will also need to be removed.
Next is the removal of all hog rings, which hold the seat foam to the frame. These can be pretty tough; once a firm grip is achieved, they can either be cut, or twisted and pulled.
Next is the removal of all hog rings, which hold the seat foam to the frame. These can be
After the removal of all the hog rings, the seat frame can be separated from the foam. The frames were in pretty good condition-only minor surface rust marred them.
After the removal of all the hog rings, the seat frame can be separated from the foam. The

With the bottom frame set aside, we move to the seatback.
There's a considerable amount of hardware to be removed compared to the seat bottom.
Parts include the bezel for the seat belt, the seatback panel, and the seatback release bezel.
Parts include the bezel for the seat belt, the seatback panel, and the seatback release be

It's back to pulling hog rings again in order to gain access to the lock strap housing, which needs to be removed. Once access is obtained, remove the necessary nuts and bolts and pull housing out.
It's back to pulling hog rings again in order to gain access to the lock strap housing, wh
The next step is to remove the seatback bumpers. One was broken upon arrival. Thanks to Matt's kung fu grip, it was not a problem.
The next step is to remove the seatback bumpers. One was broken upon arrival. Thanks to Ma
Once the remaining hog rings were removed, all the foam was peeled away to gain access to these hidden nuts, which hold the upper seatback trim in place.
Once the remaining hog rings were removed, all the foam was peeled away to gain access to

All the components to be reused were moved to the media blaster. Mid America Motorworks uses a special media for this, mainly composed of plastic. This less harsh blasting method removes the rust without compromising the integrity of the parts.
All the components to be reused were moved to the media blaster. Mid America Motorworks us
Once the parts are clean of all debris, they are sprayed with black paint to seal against the elements and give a nice factory look.
Once the parts are clean of all debris, they are sprayed with black paint to seal against
Once the paint was dry, it was back to work. Matt began to install needed hooks and wire to the seatback foam in order to anchor the seat cover and frame.
Once the paint was dry, it was back to work. Matt began to install needed hooks and wire t

After the seat frame was acquainted with the new seatback foam, special hog ring pliers were used to fasten it all together.
After the seat frame was acquainted with the new seatback foam, special hog ring pliers we
Once complete, it was time to start mating the seat cover to the front half in order to reinstall the upper trim.
Once complete, it was time to start mating the seat cover to the front half in order to re
Liberal amounts of spray adhesive are applied in order to attach the seatback upper molded foam.
Liberal amounts of spray adhesive are applied in order to attach the seatback upper molded

Once in place, the top half is wrapped with a light cloth basting in order to keep any separation from occurring during cover installation.
Once in place, the top half is wrapped with a light cloth basting in order to keep any sep
The next step is to install the seat hardware, which resides behind the seat cover. Many new parts were installed from Mid America Motorworks' stock. After all hardware installation was complete, Matt begins the task of sliding on the seatback leather. This usually requires an extra set of hands.
The next step is to install the seat hardware, which resides behind the seat cover. Many n
Once the cover is tightly installed with hog rings, remaining exterior seatback hardware is installed.
Once the cover is tightly installed with hog rings, remaining exterior seatback hardware i

Finally, the seatback is complete.
Matt now moves on to the seat bottom. The mating of the frame to the bottom foam is similar to the seatback. Here, Matt stretches the cover over the seat bottom. In order to achieve full coverage, weight needs to be applied to compress the foam slightly. The necessary clips are then installed.
Matt now moves on to the seat bottom. The mating of the frame to the bottom foam is simila
Now that both the seatback and bottom are complete, it's time to reunite the two via the chrome side rails.
Now that both the seatback and bottom are complete, it's time to reunite the two via the c

At this time, the new seatback panel is installed, along with the seat bumpers and remaining miscellaneous hardware.
At this time, the new seatback panel is installed, along with the seat bumpers and remaini
Coming down the home stretch, both seat tracks are now installed.
Here's a rear shot of the before and after photos. Mid America Motorworks installed a new seatback panel. These back panels feature a "Bump-Safe" design. They're reinforced and built to last. No more brittle factory seatbacks. Overall, the seats looked awesome.
Here's a rear shot of the before and after photos. Mid America Motorworks installed a new

e can't wait to get the Vette on the road for some extended seat time. At a labor cost of $199.99 per pair, it's hard to go wrong. Seat covers, foams, and hardware are sold separately.
e can't wait to get the Vette on the road for some extended seat time. At a labor cost of
Seen here are the before and after photos. Big difference, huh?
Notice the different pattern. Leather seat covers (factory Custom Interior) have a horizontal pattern, while the base vinyl contains a vertical pattern. Mmm ... love the smell of new leather!
Notice the different pattern. Leather seat covers (factory Custom Interior) have a horizon