1 Our '02's stock seats were...
1 Our '02's stock seats were in sorry shape. Check out how deflated the foam on the right side is!
Over the last few months, we've subjected our '02 C5's interior to a bottom-up overhaul. Starting with the carpets, we improved the look, sound, and heat resistance of the cabin. Next, we replaced just about everything we could remove with upgraded--and color-coordinated--hardware. This month, we head straight for the checkered flag, with one of the biggest improvements of all: the seats.
2 Not to mention the numerous...
2 Not to mention the numerous stretched seams found throughout.
3 With the goal of better-than-new...
3 With the goal of better-than-new in mind, we began the install by removing the worn pieces.
4 Special attention must...
4 Special attention must be paid to how the seat was built originally. You’ll need to replace everything where you found it, such as these hog rings.
Whether it's used as a daily driver or a drag car, your Vette is one of the best places to be when "the action" happens. But after a time, even routine wear and tear can add up--not to mention UV damage, the occasional spill, and more. Eventually, your seats' leather will lose its luster and take on the look and feel of colored cardboard. Assorted cleaning products and special care can lengthen seat life, but what if you're not the original owner, and the previous guy used your car as a mobile office? That's our issue.
5 Working our way through...
5 Working our way through the removal process, we found even more reasons why this install was a good idea. That’s some sad-looking foam.
6 Halfway done, the seat...
6 Halfway done, the seat should look something like this.
7 Before removing the seat...
7 Before removing the seat cushion, you'll need to take off the seat-adjuster pod. The bezel and switch can only come off after the handle does.
With 150,000 miles--most of which were put on in a two-year span--our Vette's skins were looking a little threadbare. But with aftermarket companies such as Corvette Central offering better-than-original alternatives, a refresh was as simple as placing an order. For our install, we continued the red-on-black theme and picked out a set of two-tone custom leather saddles with stitching accents. We also picked up the prerequisite seat-foam set and a few minor bits and pieces that improved the look of our chairs dramatically.
8 With the seat fully stripped,...
8 With the seat fully stripped, the real fun begins.
9 "Fun," in this case, meaning...
9 "Fun," in this case, meaning "work"-which is what the driver side needed. This seat-foam support is toast.
10 Thankfully, Corvette Central...
10 Thankfully, Corvette Central carries a replacement.
While installation doesn't require a pro, the uninitiated should be ready to spend far more time heating and stretching the leather--a required step for a perfect fit--than on the rest of the install. But patience will be rewarded in spades with a really great-looking pair of reskinned seats. Upgrade projects just don't get any cooler than that.
11 Having the new one in...
11 Having the new one in place will keep the seat from sagging and potentially decreasing the lifespan of other seat components, including your new foam.
12 CC's replacement seat...
12 CC's replacement seat covers and foam are arguably of better-than-OEM quality.
13 New vs. old. Aside from...
13 New vs. old. Aside from having yellowed with age, the originals were shredded, crispy, and didn't exactly smell great.
14 This portion of the install...
14 This portion of the install is fairly straightforward. Just lay the foam in place...
15 ...then line up the cover's...
15 ...then line up the cover's hook and loop.
16 Next, pull the cover over...
16 Next, pull the cover over the foam and tie off the sewn-in cord.
17 Sound easy? Overviews...
17 Sound easy? Overviews always do. Keep in mind that this is after an hour of heating, stretching, cursing, and crimping hog rings.
18 The upper half was next....
18 The upper half was next. Be extra careful here, as rushing this area can easily result in a stretched seam or worse.
19 The accessories followed,...
19 The accessories followed, starting with color-coordinated seatback-release bezels from CC.
20 As with any project, the...
20 As with any project, the devil is in the details. These red seat-track covers are among our favorites.
21 The switch-panel bezels...
21 The switch-panel bezels for our seat adjusters were also broken, necessitating replacement.
22 Our new, color-keyed CC...
22 Our new, color-keyed CC units look immeasurably better.
23 The final step involved...
23 The final step involved returning our freshened thrones to their rightful place--and returning our '02 to the road. Now these are truly the best seats in the house. Vette