73-75 Low Back Bucket Seats & Console Restoration

[TKCR]

Bought a set of low back truck bucket seats & console from a fellow forum member. The deal was a pleasant experience. Everything was packed well for safe shipping from Oregon to Ohio.
First order of business, was getting them unpacked.
Started stripping them down. All the brackets, tracks, springs and all the hardware are soaking for rust removal. A couple of the brackets are broken, but I have a buddy that already does weld repair on my bench seat frames. So I have no worries that these will be fixed up good as new.

[TKCR]

These are the brackets that were broken. After I get them welded back together, I’ll post the pictures.

[TrailerTrash]

Looks like a great starting point. I have never seen one of those early center consoles in person. If I am not mistaken, the rectangular openings are to hold the lap belt buckle. Is that correct?

I went from a bench seat to buckets and used a 79 Blazer center consol. So much room in that thing I love it.

I have a feeling it is going to be satisfying to watch your progress on this. Cant wait for more keep it up!

[dagnabbitt]

I've been looking forward to this thread, I have the exact same seats and console: same color even. Yours look to be in slightly better shape.

[TKCR]

Originally Posted by dagnabbitt

I've been looking forward to this thread, I have the exact same seats and console: same color even. Yours look to be in slightly better shape.

Thanks, which is a good thing when it comes to the foam. I was looking extensively for foam, prior to receiving the seats. From what I’m seeing, it doesn’t look like Foam is available for this particular seat. Maybe there is, I’m just not seeing them.
If anyone with knowledge in this area, I would appreciate some insight. I don’t believe I’ll need any, but I would still like to know if it is available. I’ll know better, once I get the covers off.

[Ad Cam]

Originally Posted by TKCR

Thanks, which is a good thing when it comes to the foam. I was looking extensively for foam, prior to receiving the seats. From what I’m seeing, it doesn’t look like Foam is available for this particular seat. Maybe there is, I’m just not seeing them.
If anyone with knowledge in this area, I would appreciate some insight. I don’t believe I’ll need any, but I would still like to know if it is available. I’ll know better, once I get the covers off.

I've looked and foam for these is pretty limited. These guys have it, but it's $$$ https://www.speedwaymotors.com/OER-S...am,135481.html

[Ad Cam]

I'll be watching this as well. I have the lowback bucket seats and console that will probably be my winter project.

[TKCR]

Originally Posted by TrailerTrash

Looks like a great starting point. I have never seen one of those early center consoles in person. If I am not mistaken, the rectangular openings are to hold the lap belt buckle. Is that correct?

I have a feeling it is going to be satisfying to watch your progress on this. Cant wait for more keep it up!

Thank you, I’m anxious to see the progress myself. And yes, you are correct about the rectangle openings. I only learned this myself from another forum member. I thought they were for a pack of cigarettes, lol, since the ashtray was right there.

[TrailerTrash]

Originally Posted by TKCR

Thank you, I’m anxious to see the progress myself. And yes, you are correct about the rectangle openings. I only learned this myself from another forum member. I thought they were for a pack of cigarettes, lol, since the ashtray was right there.

Awesome! I read it here aswell a long time ago.

My 79 console has the 2 cup holders and the rectangular opening that holds 2 cassette tapes in cases perfectly.

[NWSooner]

smupser & TKCR thank you so much for the excellent information.

Have a great weekend!

[smupser]

One thing I forgot to add. Kens brackets are setup for the earlier style of low backs which has the rear mounting hole spaced at 3.75 inches vs the later style which are spaced 5 inches apart. He is in the process of developing a hybrid bracket that will work on both, but the current solution if you have the later seats and utilize his brackets are to relocate the inner rivnut to space at 3.75 inches. And as far as the drivers side slider, you can just use a bench seat slider assembly which is basically the same thing.

[TKCR]

Got the Medallions all polished up.

[TKCR]

Frames were sandblasted, rust inhibitor and the repainted. Also dropped those broken brackets off to my welder.

[rodstored-72]

TKCR, will follow along just to see the transformation! your work is excellent & very detailed. I just wish I was closer to have you do some things for me. I might still have you do my seatbelts... almost at that point.

[TKCR]

Originally Posted by rodstored-72

TKCR, will follow along just to see the transformation! your work is excellent & very detailed. I just wish I was closer to have you do some things for me. I might still have you do my seatbelts... almost at that point.

Sounds good.

[TKCR]

I got some of the brackets back from my welder. He got them cleaned up and all welded back up. Should have the other 2 back in a few weeks.
Before & After

[mikentosh]

Came across these guys yesterday while looking for low back bucket options. They claim that they do OE reproduction covers, however the photos for the 73-75 buckets look wrong:

http://distinctiveindustries.com/cat...-k5-upholstery

[smupser]

Originally Posted by mikentosh

Came across these guys yesterday while looking for low back bucket options. They claim that they do OE reproduction covers, however the photos for the 73-75 buckets look wrong:

http://distinctiveindustries.com/cat...-k5-upholstery

No, they look correct. 73-75 had rounded top corners and that style cover.

[HOTFUN]

All the 73-74 bucket seats I have or have seen there is no factory tutone vinyl just they use the same color in two different types of vinyls. Elk grain is the outer bolsters and I believe Madrid vinyl is the inset vinyl. I think they show the tutone colors as an optional look to a solid color and it does look nice.

[HOTFUN]

Tina, Have you got your seat covers for the bucket seats yet? Wanting to see how the seats look with your original seat foam. I will be talking to you soon about doing a nice set of 73 charcoal belts for my factory buckets soon. Actually have a charcoal NOS driver side retractor belt I would like to use with the other 1.5 belt set. I just ordered a set of the black and charcoal Distinctive Industries original bucket seat covers for mine. Order site said 15-16 weeks out shipped directly from manufacturer.

[TKCR]

Originally Posted by HOTFUN

Tina, Have you got your seat covers for the bucket seats yet? Wanting to see how the seats look with your original seat foam. I will be talking to you soon about doing a nice set of 73 charcoal belts for my factory buckets soon. Actually have a charcoal NOS driver side retractor belt I would like to use with the other 1.5 belt set. I just ordered a set of the black and charcoal Distinctive Industries original bucket seat covers for mine. Order site said 15-16 weeks out shipped directly from manufacturer.

Nope, I haven’t gotten them yet. But when I do I’ll update the thread.

Wow! A NOS 73 Charcoal Retractor? I bet that’s pretty. I love the 2pt belts, they are cool looking. So you have the rest of the set, that is what needs restored? Just send me a PM, when your ready. Or you can contact me via the link on my Signature, for my Seat Restoration Page on FB. I need to change the title on that also, since I’m doing a lot of seatbelts too.

[HOTFUN]

The charcoal set is very nice color mainly needs a good deep cleaning and have one extra retractor cover. The nos charcoal belt is awesome and was GM boxed in April 1973.
I also have two other complete sets very good condition. 73 slate green and 75 blue set. All of mine were low mile trucks and very long time in boxed storage. Ill be getting back to you this week. Thanks Mark

[TKCR]

Originally Posted by HOTFUN

The charcoal set is very nice color mainly needs a good deep cleaning and have one extra retractor cover. The nos charcoal belt is awesome and was GM boxed in April 1973.
I also have two other complete sets very good condition. 73 slate green and 75 blue set. All of mine were low mile trucks and very long time in boxed storage. Ill be getting back to you this week. Thanks Mark

Sounds good.

[5025speed]

Can you die faded red carpet in a 1989 Chevy that is in good shape but faded? Thanks, Dan