Replacing stock front seats with secondhand seats in a 71 bug on the Northern Rivers

Marilyn71 Seriously Crusin Dubber

124 posts · joined Aug 2011 · 9 Oct 2011, 9:48 pm

#866188

Hi all
I'm afraid I'm only new to the VW scene and not tech minded like you guys but I'd like some help in getting a suitable and comfortable seats for touring to replace the worn out seats I have.
What car brands are suitable? I've seen Joel mention Celica seats and read somewhere about Ford Telstars too. I have seen plenty on Ebay but without dimensions its a bit of a lottery.
Can someone give me some benefits of their experience? Recaro and Saas arent what I want to pay for, but just comfortable and well priced.
Are there some good wreckers from Ballina to the border?
Thanks guys both my wife 's and my backs would appreciate it.❗❓

waveman1500 Also rides a Honda

1,346 posts · joined Dec 2009 · 9 Oct 2011, 10:05 pm

#866189

If you want to adapt seats from another car to fit it then you're going to have to do some cutting and welding of the seat rails. This can be done relatively easily but it is illegal without an engineering certificate. Most people do it anyway and get away with it, but be warned that your car will technically be unroadworthy.

1972 VW S-Bug - For Sale!
1968-onwards Beetle panels and glass for sale

Marilyn71 Seriously Crusin Dubber

124 posts · joined Aug 2011 · 9 Oct 2011, 10:11 pm

#866190

Thanks, I know of an RTA approved engineer in town who might do the work. If I get a certificate I hope that will solve the roadworthy issue.

68AutoBug Beetle Restorer - Experience over 138\% - YIKES --

11,654 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 9 Oct 2011, 11:06 pm

#866198

Marilyn71 wrote:Hi all
I'm afraid I'm only new to the VW scene and not tech minded like you guys but I'd like some help in getting a suitable and comfortable seats for touring to replace the worn out seats I have.
What car brands are suitable? I've seen Joel mention Celica seats and read somewhere about Ford Telstars too. I have seen plenty on Ebay but without dimensions its a bit of a lottery.
Can someone give me some benefits of their experience? Recaro and Saas arent what I want to pay for, but just comfortable and well priced.
Are there some good wreckers from Ballina to the border?
Thanks guys both my wife 's and my backs would appreciate it.❗❓

Hi
I have beetle seats in My beetle but they are OK...
[from a 1971 model... lol]

You really need to look at small car seats like Suzuki Swift
Golf - small mazda- toyota mitsubishi nissan etc..
You really need to get them from a small 2 door car..

there isn't much room in the Beetle..
so, the narrower the better...

You don't want to have them fitted and not be able to pull the heaters on or close the door... lol

cheers

LEE

- Helping keep Air Cooled VWs on the road - location: SCONE in the Upper Hunter Valley - Northern NSW 320 kms NNW of SYDNEY---

Marilyn71 Seriously Crusin Dubber

124 posts · joined Aug 2011 · 10 Oct 2011, 6:12 am

#866206

Thanks Lee as always you're a good source of info

Lucky Phil Wolfsburg Wizard

480 posts · joined Aug 2010 · 11 Oct 2011, 7:57 pm

#866510

Have you considered repairing your's?
Not so hard to do if they arent too trashed.

Marilyn71 Seriously Crusin Dubber

124 posts · joined Aug 2011 · 11 Oct 2011, 9:48 pm

#866538

Yes thats an option . I'm seeing a motor trimmer in Lismore on Friday for a quote. He said he might be able to add more foam to shape the seat for more support but then I have to weigh up the cost of hand stitching new covers as opposed to a simple repair with pre made covers. But that could be a better deal. I've spoken to the local RTA engineer and I'll see him too to get an idea of how to mount a new seat to the floor pan. Apparently RTA regs on retro -fitting seats are becoming more tough due to seats giving way in accidents.
So it could be a re-upholster is a better option.

Lucky Phil Wolfsburg Wizard

480 posts · joined Aug 2010 · 12 Oct 2011, 3:21 pm

#866644

You can buy foam pad sets and covers online and locally.
If you're a bit handy you can do it yourself.
Have a browse through the interiors section for a few tips.

Paulc1964au Custom Title Time!

1,627 posts · joined Mar 2010 · 13 Oct 2011, 2:42 pm

#866785

I have telstar seats in my car and they look and feel great just click on my link to see pics in my 69 bug thread

/url]Streetwise Aircooled Volkswagens
My 69 Bug

Marilyn71 Seriously Crusin Dubber

124 posts · joined Aug 2011 · 13 Oct 2011, 6:19 pm

#866824

Thanks Paul I've seen Rosie developing and got the idea of Telstars from you. She really is really sensational. I hope one day I can really see her in person.

Joel Now containing 100\% E-Wang

9,368 posts · joined Feb 2006 · 13 Oct 2011, 7:16 pm

#866844

Hi Mark, is that Dennys over south?

I hit them up about 6 years ago to recover my 2 fronts in velour and it was gonna be a bit over $300.

I ended up buying those Celica seats in perfect nick off Ebay for $50 and they are 100x more comfy and adjustable than VW seats.

Mate of mine in ballina parts alot of cars out he may have something well suited to bug.

Marilyn71 Seriously Crusin Dubber

124 posts · joined Aug 2011 · 14 Oct 2011, 5:48 am

#866894

Hi Joel.
Exactly, I bought some rubber for my commodore wagon last year from there. I've also spoken to Ray Sargeant in Ballina to give me tips on how to mount seats to the floor pan and issue an RTA Eng Cert.. I've also got some ideas from earlier posts in Tech talk of types of seats and how fit them. I've seen some suitable ones on Ebay but would prefer to find someone local for suitable sizes and comfort. Could you let me know? Also I need to find an engineer to fit them as my mechanic doesnt do that sort of thing. Anyway, thanks and its good to hear from you

Joel Now containing 100\% E-Wang

9,368 posts · joined Feb 2006 · 14 Oct 2011, 9:46 am

#866919

I'll try and find out if he's got anything at the moment.

I've only had one dealing with Ray Sargent many years back, I'd recommend speaking to Ray Cross at Elthem, he engineered my bug and is pretty savvy with VWs, even has a 356 speedster kit car in his shed.

Marilyn71 Seriously Crusin Dubber

124 posts · joined Aug 2011 · 14 Oct 2011, 10:06 am

#866921

Ah now Ray Cross was also mentioned. Be worth a trip just to see his the kit car! Thanks.

1303Steve Scirocco Rare

8,650 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 14 Oct 2011, 11:02 am

#866928

Hi

I have Honda Prelude seats in my sons bug, they are excellent and were only $200 for the pair. I've done many long trips in them and they are very comfortable. I think that they were from a 92 model, they have one piece back, as in no separate headrest.

Steve

Marilyn71 Seriously Crusin Dubber

124 posts · joined Aug 2011 · 14 Oct 2011, 11:38 am

#866930

Thanks Steve I'll see if can find something similar.

Joel Now containing 100\% E-Wang

9,368 posts · joined Feb 2006 · 14 Oct 2011, 12:01 pm

#866933

Mark I've PM'd you Dans number, he's got some seats that may be of interest to you.

Marilyn71 Seriously Crusin Dubber

124 posts · joined Aug 2011 · 14 Oct 2011, 4:15 pm

#866958

Joel thanks for the help. I'm off to see Dan tomorrow between tips runs after that hail storm we had. Those seats sound just the ticket. Cheers.