Seats for my Riviera, 70% cruiser: 30% canyon carver

[CTX-SLPR]

While I love the styling of the seats in my '64 Riviera and the material is in superb shape, the outside edge of the driver seat has become very soft, they are flat as pool table, and the backs don't lock. I've been looking for OEM alternatives since the only thing I've found that I like stylistically in the aftermarket is a set of $1200per Recaros and I'd need 4 really to keep the front and rear buckets (it's a 4 place car) stylistically matching. I've narrowed it down to 4 potential seats. All have their plusses and minuses but I think all stylistically fit. I've tried to make this as easy for you to review as possible.

Stock interior (mine is the same color)




1. 1999-2002 Saab 9-3 3dr, http://www.saabcentral.com/forums/sh...4&postcount=19
PROS: Reviewers/owners say they are ridiculously comfortable on long trips and very supportive in corners. Rear seat is a split folding design and wouldn't be too hard to convert into individual buckets like the Riv is currently. Eldorado buckets are not stylistically far off if used as a back seat.
CONS: The bolstering seems to wear fast. They are relatively rare period and even rarer in good condition, cost is higher as a result even for damaged ones. Would require rebuild/reskin of at least part of the seat(s) (most likely in alcantra for abrasion resistance).

2. 2003-2006 Audi A4/S4 Cabriolet (Convertible), http://forums.vwvortex.com/showthrea...4-Cabrio-Seats
PROS: More common than the Saab seats (Several sets in Denver for example) and price is correspondingly lower. Seem to wear pretty well. Adjustable thigh bolsters. Reviewers/owners say they are comfortable and supportive.
CONS: Have a lot of electrical functions that might be difficult to integrate and keep functioning (not that I mind loosing say the memory). Rear seats have no divider between them so it would be difficult to split into a pair of buckets. Eldorado buckets don't match well stylistically for a back seat.

3. 1997-1999 Acura CL, http://www.elcaminocentral.com/showp...74&postcount=8
PROS: Very common seats, even found a car in the local pull a part. Swapped into G-bodies (Regal, El Camino... etc). Reviewers/swappers say they are comfy, seen at least one suggestion on here that the TL seats are good and this is the coupe version. Off the shelf reskins are available.
CONS: Shorter owners have complained the bolsters hit them in the shoulder blades. Base sections don't look as well bolstered as the previous 2 seats. Would have to slightly customize the front covers (eliminate the center seam) to make them match the Eldorado buckets as a back seat.

4. 1998-2002 Cadillac Eldorado, http://www.cargurus.com/Cars/2002-Ca...ureId:36276539
PROS: Already have a set of them. Decently bolstered. Not uncommon. Definitely usable as a back seat at a minimum depending on style of fronts. Off the shelf reskins are available.
CONS: Not as well bolstered as the above, they are Cadillac seats after all. Seats are comfort oriented, not performance. Set I already have have locking trouble on the folding mechanism so that mechanism might be damaged or I'm just not able to push them hard enough without being bolted down.

Thoughts?

[Later-A-body]

I can speak for the comfort of the Saab seats. I am currently retofitting 2000 Saab Aero Coupe front seats into my fathers 1965 GTO. They are very comfortable. I pulled them out at the wrecking yard for $90.00. For my car I am retrofitting 2002 Acura CL coupe front and rear seats. I like the Acura's because of the aggressive side bolstering, but I know they are not the same as your versions. It's worth a trip to the wrecking yards. Here in Ca. we have a lot of choices and you dont have to spend a fortune on new seats. You can have any good upholstery shop change the seat configuration such as side bolstering to whatever you want.

[CTX-SLPR]

I can speak for the comfort of the Saab seats. I am currently retofitting 2000 Saab Aero Coupe front seats into my fathers 1965 GTO. They are very comfortable. I pulled them out at the wrecking yard for $90.00. For my car I am retrofitting 2002 Acura CL coupe front and rear seats. I like the Acura's because of the aggressive side bolstering, but I know they are not the same as your versions. It's worth a trip to the wrecking yards. Here in Ca. we have a lot of choices and you dont have to spend a fortune on new seats. You can have any good upholstery shop change the seat configuration such as side bolstering to whatever you want.

I have an '07 Saab 9-5 Aero and the seats are ridiculously comfortable, too bad they didn't make a 9-5 Coupe or convertible though. What year of 9-3 Aero seats are you using?

The thing I don't like about the later CL seats are the "knobs" on either side of the headrest and I plan on eliminating the headrests. I also plan on doing most of the work myself due to limited budgets. If the weather holds, I might be able to visit the yard today and try out the CL seats there while pulling a new hydrobooster.

[Bob in St. Louis]

I work at a Saab/Volvo dealer and can attest to the fact that "that" generation Saab seats are all pretty much shot by now. The newer Aero seats are pretty wicked though. Love the Riv though, very cool car.

[CTX-SLPR]

Good point, most of the Viggen seats I find are completely hammered and I'd have to redo at least some of the leather from a material standpoint just to make them whole again. I'm really leaning towards the early CL seats and the Eldorado seats. Guess I need to find out how wide the CL seats are to see if either is a better fit for making the twin buckets in the back out of some fronts.