Seats for G Body?

[rebelgtp]

Well I'm going to be hunting up new seats for my Olds project in my great hunt for parts. The car will not be a daily driver though will be driven on the street on weekends or when I want to go have a bit of fun. Also the car will be used for auto crosses and the like, maybe even a few trips around PIR when I can manage.

The car currently has the split bench in it, which maybe good for taking my girl to the drive in (yes we have one here) but not for much else. Originally I was thinking of putting in some buckets from a Camaro or Trans Am or the like. However now I'm thinking more along the lines of a sport seat that would hold me even more in place when autocrossing.

Any other G body owners on here have any input or pics of the seats they are using in their car? Benefits and pains? Thanks.

Oh the car in question is an '80 Olds Cutlass (I know technically an A body, but more in common with the G body of the 80's than the A of the 70's)


UPDATE:

I found some black leather Grand Prix GTP seats that I'm going to try in it. Pics below.

[Tony_SS]

Yes, the factory buckets are horrible.

I have been looking at ProCar buckets, they look nice and a member here said they bolt in with the right brackets. BigBlockOlds (Andy) is his name and he has a build thread here.

Other than that, I would look at Arizen and see if they have something that wouldn't require too much fab work to fit.

[Twentyover]

I have a 60-40 split bench. Wife insisted I keep it, so I had it recontoured (didn't recontour as much as I'd hoped) and recovered in leather.

I figure to get a second driver's seat for times when I go out alone. 4 screws and I can change the car's personality

[mongoose]

I had cavalier.. or sunfire.. one of those in my car... nice seat wayyyyyyy better than a stock bucket. everyone who got in my car seemed to like em too.. skinny to fatasstastic.. including me.

cheap too, got a pair for 100 bucks, bolts on to stock bucket brackets.

[rebelgtp]

Yeah I have been looking at the ProCar ones as well. I've just been wondering about quality and comfort on those.

One of my biggest problems is that I am by no means a small guy. My uncle (complete cowboy from the old days) has always said I'm built like a bull dogger, tall and wide from the shoulders all the way down. So I do need a seat that will hold me but isn't designed for someone with a butt as small as my girlfriends like some sport seats I've sat in.

I was actually thinking maybe a set out of a Porsche. I had a 944 when I was a kid and LOVED those seats, very comfy and held me well while not looking like an out right racing seat. Only thing is I think it would sit to low in the Cutlass.

Any info on the recountour job on the seats Twenty over? Might be nice for just cruiseing around then as you said swap the seat when I head to the track.

[86Cutlass383SR]

I had cavalier.. or sunfire.. one of those in my car... nice seat wayyyyyyy better than a stock bucket. everyone who got in my car seemed to like em too.. skinny to fatasstastic.. including me.

cheap too, got a pair for 100 bucks, bolts on to stock bucket brackets.

I've often wondered if those seats would bolt in a g-body. My other thoughts were either the 2000 f-body seats or having the stock buckets re-contoured. I've decided to keep an OEM type look, not exactly "stock" just some type of GM seats.

[Ash]

My DD is a 2000 Volvo V70 XC AWD. I'm pretty happy with the seats in this rig. The upper bolsters and stitching have held up exceptionally well, and the seats are pretty sportive, but don't induce fatigue on long hauls (The Anti-whiplash safety feature make the headrests look funky). A pretty good compromise of support and comfort. Plus, most of the late model ones have a heating element built in to keep you toasty on cold nights. I plan on using a set on the 81 Monte when that ball gets rolling.

1998-2000 "R" model seats (suede diamond pattern inserts). The regular V70 & XC models are solid leather)

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/07/3591050054_large-1.jpg


Late model Volvo seats

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/07/04s60_4-1.jpg

[rebelgtp]

Those Volvo seats look like they would work nicely, though I would opt for the ones without the electronic controls.

[whitess]

1. Recaro seats were available in the T/A's (SE - Turbo and Pace Car) from '81 to at least '86, they bolt in using the G Body tracks. The '81 version is a little different from the '82+ ones.
2. Lear Siegler "Conteur" seats in the F Bodys (some were the CamaroCamaroCamaro ones) and Regals. They have side bolster adjustments and knee pads that lift your kness (good for tall folks). http://www.thirdgen.org/techboard/history-restoration/512643-lear-siegler-camaro-conteur.html
They were available from '82 to, I believe, '86. Both Lear seats in the TA's were adjustable. Look for thread #61 in the above thread to see the Regal and TA seats (you'll have to sign in or register to see them).
3. '70's to early '80's BMW's had the Recaro seats. I don't know about how close the mountings are to the G Body brackets they are but there not too high priced.

On any of these they may sit a little low in the G Body cars but if you have power seat tracks you can raise them up or add a spacer to the brackets where they attach to the seats.
An internet search for "Pontiac Recaro seats" and "Pontiac Lear Siegler seats" and BMW (3 series) on Autotrader, Cardomain and Ebaymotors should get you more pictures. (I was just looking for the same seats myself.)
Larry.

[rebelgtp]

Nice thanks for the suggestions Larry. I'm hoping to gather most of my parts before winter hits then get building over winter.

Today I gathered up all of my change i had laying around (in some jars and in the ash tray of my truck etc.) and so far I have counted out a little over $200 just in change lol. It will all be going to the Olds. Well and maybe a burger.

[77ta]

I would like better ( more comfortable) seats in my G-body ( Grand National ) but want to keep the factory look ... What would be a good option ? I figure Id have to have them custom stitched if I could find the material to match. Im on the big side of average build 6,1" 227 lbs so the bolters are a bit tight and pinch my legs..

Thanks

[whitess]

77ta:
See the post I put up above. You can always have the upholstery
shop modify the bolsters to fit you better.
Larry.

[Twentyover]

If you try the later model Volvo seats, be sure you spend some time with your butt in one before you pony up the cash. They are an acquired taste- wife loves hers, I hate it.

[86regalss]

I picked up a set of '06 gto seats, i plan on modifying them to fit in my car. they are really comfortable, but they are real big. You couldnt use a center console with them. I had '00 camaro seats, and those are really small actually. I'll post pics when i put the gto seats in, if i go through with it. It'll be a while till i get to it.

[whitess]

Steve,
This may be of some help installing those:
http://www.montecarloss.com/community/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=687438&nt=4&page=1
Larry.

[86regalss]

omg. I seriously doubted they would fit, when I was looking at them. HA thanks a bunch for that link. They look awesome in there.

[rebelgtp]

Oh man I love those GTO seats...About how much would a set of those run me? Don't care about the center console so much as a good seat to plant my butt in.

[whitess]

This place says they have them all the time: http://www.clevelandpickapart.com/
They also show up on EBay Motors. Look under Seats and
Pontiac or GTO. I've seen them there from $600 and up,
some listings also include the rear seat.
I'd even try your local Craigslist or car-parts.com for local
salvage yards / used parts availability.
Larry.

[rebelgtp]

Finally heading to my local yard tomorrow to see what I can find, I did a quick run today and noticed a couple 80's Camaro's a 90's Firebird and I think there was even a wrecked police Impala to bad the engine was yanked.

[rebelgtp]

Well I was out at my wrecking yard looking at front clips that didn't pan out. However on my way back out something big shiny and black caught my eye on the far side of the row. I went to investigate and it was a black Grand Prix GTP. Inside was a set of very nice black leather bucket seats with 3 motors on the driver side.

Well I ran up asked them how much and after a little wheeling and dealing I was driving my truck back into the yard to go pick them up.

The passenger side is pretty much perfect, and the driver side has a couple loose stitches that is it. I need to clean them up as they are quite dirty (just dust from the yard). I'm actually thinking of going back and picking up the back seat so I can use the material to recover my back seat https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif .

I will post another pic after I clean them up and all.

Whatcha think?

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

[rebelgtp]

Oh I forgot to update this I had gone back to get the back seat and got to measuring and it was only 1/2 and inch narrower than my stock seat. So basically I will have a full front and rear seat set from the GTP to go in my Cutlass.

[brrymnvette]

Cant' wait to see pics. Trying to decide what I want to use in my g-body too. GTO, GTP, F-body, etc. Whatever I use, has to be power and comfortable and sporty.

[85GPLEf41]

How do the seat rails bolt up to the stock location for those GTP seats? I see those cars all over the place and they look like a pretty affordable option. Let us know how it works out:)

[mc84_zz4]

I wanted a set of GTO seats after I drove one for a few hours, they hit me in the right spots, I would even argue they are more comfortable than C6 seats. I did not have a real big budget, so I made these fit in.
Next on my list is to buy me a welder, the rear seats are going to require some customizing/modifications to fit in as well.
I already bought a salvage rear seat from a Grand Prix as donor for the rear seat frame that will get chopped and fused with the GTO rear seat's frame.
Here is the solution we came up with for fitting the front seats in my car (thanks Thomas).
I hope this gives you all some more ideas/options.

The bar stock is 1/2" sqare, the rear tabs are 1/4" trimmed to match the seat's trimmed rear rail 'ears'.
The rail studs are M8 1.5 metric bolts, similar to the cars mounting points, counter sunk and/or welded in. The holes are drilled out almost to 1/2" to allow some wiggle room to adjust before locking them in place.
The seat rail adapters have 2 washers in the middle welded between the long tabs and the frame rails to get the correct height needed.
I did 'massage' the floor on the outside ridges next to the seat belt anchors, to give the rails 1/4" some more space. It is a tight squeeze, not for everyone, there is a bit of adjusting to get them centered just right, but it's worth it, IMO.
The rails are set back an extra 2" from the stock location, I am 6'3" and wanted a bit more legroom, and now I even have 1-2" extra travel I don't have to use. These seats travel forward an amazing amount I would never need.
Mocking up the rails on the seat power tracks:
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/03/1373717_IMG-1.jpg
Here are the front seat rails, pass side is painted, the notch helps clear the tranny tunnel brace:
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/03/1373729_IMG-1.jpg
Painted, trimmed, installed in car after seatbelts are in:
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/03/1373740_IMG-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/03/1373737_IMG-1.jpg
These are far more comfortable than the original seats
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/03/1373744_IMG-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/03/1373742_IMG-1.jpg
More pics:
http://www.motortopia.com/album/view/p/cars/t/vehicle/v/11982/a/20585/i/new_seats


Here are some examples of fitting rear GTO buckets into other cars:
68 Firebird
https://www.pro-touring.com/forum/showthread.php?p=638008#post638008
70 Chevelle
https://www.pro-touring.com/forum/showthread.php?p=542723
71 Camaro
http://www.nastyz28.com/forum/showthread.php?t=160509&page=2

[6spdmalibu]

Those seats look right at home! Good work.

[Samckitt]

What kind of price am I looking at for a set of GTO seats?

[brrymnvette]

Damn, well, you just made up my mind for me. Great work.

[Tony_SS]

I can vouch for the GTO seats... they are the most comfortable seats out there (that Ive sat in anyway) but they come at a price.. they are very very heavy. I personally still lean toward the Procar seats as they are bolt in. Both will cost you about the same up front.

[mc84_zz4]

Mine were under 600 shipped, both front and rear in good shape.
A friend of mine bought an entire GTO interior under 450 delivered, 4 seats, console, door panels, even the carpet, ebay had a 'coupon' at that time.
The black ones may be easier to pickup, since they made more of those.
Each of the front GTO seats weigh 61 lbs. The stock Monte buckets were 36 lbs each.
We got to drive the SSR, GTO and Corvette C6 back to back, and these seats are more comfortable than the Corvettes, IMO.
The 2010 Camaro seats are very close, but they are expensive as hell right now.
The only seats I could say are as comfortable to me, are the 2006+ BMW 5 series, which are another fantastic seat, but they do not recline.

[Tony_SS]

Ok they have come down in price.. back when I was looking it was $600 a set for the front black ones.

[Crossupbill]

I used a set of C5 sport seats in my malibu. The front mounting holes even lined up with the factory bucket seat brackets.

[rebelgtp]

Love the look of those GTO seats. I can't wait to get my GTP seats in, they won't be as nice as those but leaps and bounds beyond those factory seats.

I will make sure that I do a full write up of getting them in the car with photos of course.

[Motown 454]

Nice work on the brackets. The seats look great.