Coverking Wetsuit Seat Covers
07-30-09, 10:11 PM
#26
those look like DICK.
As I said, the ones I purchase back in the day were the originals, back when they did not have a website- you ordered it from a magazine ad in the back of Car And Driver.
The bottom straps you can only get by unbolting the seat, even mine were like that.
As I said, the ones I purchase back in the day were the originals, back when they did not have a website- you ordered it from a magazine ad in the back of Car And Driver.
The bottom straps you can only get by unbolting the seat, even mine were like that.
07-31-09, 04:51 PM
#31
When you said "original brand" I assumed that meant they were bought out or changed the name to Coverking. Instead, it looks like Coverking is just an imitator, and a bad one at that.
Now I'm thinking of either trying to find some nice used seats (maybe even from a coupe, since there'd be less sun damage), or going with a full-on reupholster job. I'll have to see what kind of price I'd be looking at for it, but at least I know it would look the way I want it to.
Now I'm thinking of either trying to find some nice used seats (maybe even from a coupe, since there'd be less sun damage), or going with a full-on reupholster job. I'll have to see what kind of price I'd be looking at for it, but at least I know it would look the way I want it to.
07-31-09, 06:11 PM
#32
I was worried about a recover, if they came out not as I would expect I would be staring at them everytime, I tend to get a little crazy about things sometimes and decided I would rather not even deal with it right now.
Im worried if I recover that the bosters will sit as-new and not flopped over like a pair of old seats.
Im worried if I recover that the bosters will sit as-new and not flopped over like a pair of old seats.
07-31-09, 07:10 PM
#33
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wow those seat covers look bad, and not in a good way.
rocket does your car have perforated leather inserts in the door panels? sorta looks like it in one photo.
if so, and it's got cruise/tilt/leather wheel, the key light and cd/6 speaker stereo with center controls for headrest noise....
then the most likely scenario, is that a previous owner RE upholstered the leather seats in cloth.
what's the production date? if it late 88, they may have unbundled some of the package options by then, but that's only a guess.
_______________
the cloth seats seen in that red chicago ebay vert were in fact exactly the base cloth seats, and they did NOT have speakers.
i drove one of those new on the lot, before opting for one with the upgrade package. it was more common on the red cars, i've not seen the base cloth with other color exteriors.
ALL convertibles came with electric windows, at least in 88.
________________
one idea b4 sending those covers back to costco is to flip them inside out, and make a template with the basic critical measurements.
then have microfiber or some other breathable covers made.
of course you need to finesse the template a bit given the poor fit in some areas.
i had double knit cotton over-covers made once (basically sweatshirt material) that worked well for the HOT leather issue and they were washable,
but they only lasted a few years, and had holes for the headrests...
based on a wag, my estimate is <10% came with cloth seats (sans leather/package), but some did.
the 'covertible option package' included leather seats/door inserts, cd/6 speakers AND headrest speakers, door/key illumination, cruise, tilt AND leather steering wheel.
it was priced ~22-2300$ before dealer tweaks and may have been different in the later s5 years.
henry
rocket does your car have perforated leather inserts in the door panels? sorta looks like it in one photo.
if so, and it's got cruise/tilt/leather wheel, the key light and cd/6 speaker stereo with center controls for headrest noise....
then the most likely scenario, is that a previous owner RE upholstered the leather seats in cloth.
what's the production date? if it late 88, they may have unbundled some of the package options by then, but that's only a guess.
_______________
the cloth seats seen in that red chicago ebay vert were in fact exactly the base cloth seats, and they did NOT have speakers.
i drove one of those new on the lot, before opting for one with the upgrade package. it was more common on the red cars, i've not seen the base cloth with other color exteriors.
ALL convertibles came with electric windows, at least in 88.
________________
one idea b4 sending those covers back to costco is to flip them inside out, and make a template with the basic critical measurements.
then have microfiber or some other breathable covers made.
of course you need to finesse the template a bit given the poor fit in some areas.
i had double knit cotton over-covers made once (basically sweatshirt material) that worked well for the HOT leather issue and they were washable,
but they only lasted a few years, and had holes for the headrests...
the 'covertible option package' included leather seats/door inserts, cd/6 speakers AND headrest speakers, door/key illumination, cruise, tilt AND leather steering wheel.
it was priced ~22-2300$ before dealer tweaks and may have been different in the later s5 years.
henry
Last edited by openrx; 07-31-09 at 07:34 PM.
07-31-09, 07:25 PM
#34
If the foam sags a bit, you could always opt to have it redone as well. The whole thing probably wouldn't need it; just the trouble spots. Some of the kits available for other cars even come with replacement batting / foam to give it that new-again look.
07-31-09, 07:51 PM
#35
wow those seat covers look bad, and not in a good way.
rocket does your car have perforated leather inserts in the door panels? sorta looks like it in one photo.
if so, and it's got cruise/tilt/leather wheel, the key light and cd/6 speaker stereo with center controls for headrest noise....
then the most likely scenario, is that a previous owner RE upholstered the leather seats in cloth.
what's the production date? if it late 88, they may have unbundled some of the package options by then, but that's only a guess.
_______________
the cloth seats seen in that red chicago ebay vert were in fact exactly the base cloth seats, and they did NOT have speakers.
i drove one of those new on the lot, before opting for one with the upgrade package. it was more common on the red cars, i've not seen the base cloth with other color exteriors.
ALL convertibles came with electric windows, at least in 88.
________________
one idea b4 sending those covers back to costco is to flip them inside out, and make a template with the basic critical measurements.
then have microfiber or some other breathable covers made.
of course you need to finesse the template a bit given the poor fit in some areas.
i had double knit cotton over-covers made once (basically sweatshirt material) that worked well for the HOT leather issue and they were washable,
but they only lasted a few years, and had holes for the headrests...
based on a wag, my estimate is <10% came with cloth seats (sans leather/package), but some did.
the 'covertible option package' included leather seats/door inserts, cd/6 speakers AND headrest speakers, door/key illumination, cruise, tilt AND leather steering wheel.
it was priced ~22-2300$ before dealer tweaks and may have been different in the later s5 years.
henry
rocket does your car have perforated leather inserts in the door panels? sorta looks like it in one photo.
if so, and it's got cruise/tilt/leather wheel, the key light and cd/6 speaker stereo with center controls for headrest noise....
then the most likely scenario, is that a previous owner RE upholstered the leather seats in cloth.
what's the production date? if it late 88, they may have unbundled some of the package options by then, but that's only a guess.
_______________
the cloth seats seen in that red chicago ebay vert were in fact exactly the base cloth seats, and they did NOT have speakers.
i drove one of those new on the lot, before opting for one with the upgrade package. it was more common on the red cars, i've not seen the base cloth with other color exteriors.
ALL convertibles came with electric windows, at least in 88.
________________
one idea b4 sending those covers back to costco is to flip them inside out, and make a template with the basic critical measurements.
then have microfiber or some other breathable covers made.
of course you need to finesse the template a bit given the poor fit in some areas.
i had double knit cotton over-covers made once (basically sweatshirt material) that worked well for the HOT leather issue and they were washable,
but they only lasted a few years, and had holes for the headrests...
based on a wag, my estimate is <10% came with cloth seats (sans leather/package), but some did.
the 'covertible option package' included leather seats/door inserts, cd/6 speakers AND headrest speakers, door/key illumination, cruise, tilt AND leather steering wheel.
it was priced ~22-2300$ before dealer tweaks and may have been different in the later s5 years.
henry
07-31-09, 08:49 PM
#37
My 2 cents:
I put a set of Leatherseats.com leather on my vert. I rebuilt the driver bottom bolster and reinforced all 4 of the bottom bolsters so they wouldn't fail again. I had to fill and resurface the damaged foam on the driverside back bolster so the old damage wouldn't show through the new leather. It was alot of work but it turned out really nice.
I also modified the angle of the drivers bolster by bending the support rod outward toward the door while the frame was completely stripped. It still supports well, but because the left bolster is much lower, the entry angle is much kinder.
This allows me to sit down into the seat without sliding down the back bolster or crunching down on the bottom bolster. Going on 4 years since the 'new' leather went on and it all looks great.
The only real criticism I have for the leatherseats.com Vert covers is that the headrest speaker locations were not properly perforated. They do make them out of standard perforated leather, but that is inadequate open area for the sound to get out. I used a 7/64" drill bit in my Dremmel to open up a speaker grill pattern over the speakers. It took high rpms to 'zip' right through the leather without snagging.
And Rocket-
I hate wet sticky back and heat-rashed-*** at least as much as anyone else could possibly hate it. I am pretty happy living with the perforated leather on the covers (the original were perfed but totally ragged when I bought the car). I don't think you would hate it as much as you think you would.
I also modified the angle of the drivers bolster by bending the support rod outward toward the door while the frame was completely stripped. It still supports well, but because the left bolster is much lower, the entry angle is much kinder.
This allows me to sit down into the seat without sliding down the back bolster or crunching down on the bottom bolster. Going on 4 years since the 'new' leather went on and it all looks great.The only real criticism I have for the leatherseats.com Vert covers is that the headrest speaker locations were not properly perforated. They do make them out of standard perforated leather, but that is inadequate open area for the sound to get out. I used a 7/64" drill bit in my Dremmel to open up a speaker grill pattern over the speakers. It took high rpms to 'zip' right through the leather without snagging.
And Rocket-
I hate wet sticky back and heat-rashed-*** at least as much as anyone else could possibly hate it. I am pretty happy living with the perforated leather on the covers (the original were perfed but totally ragged when I bought the car). I don't think you would hate it as much as you think you would.
07-31-09, 11:06 PM
#38
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...I also modified the angle of the drivers bolster by bending the support rod outward toward the door while the frame was completely stripped. It still supports well, but because the left bolster is much lower, the entry angle is much kinder. This allows me to sit down into the seat without sliding down the back bolster or crunching down on the bottom bolster. Going on 4 years since the 'new' leather went on and it all looks great....
I hate wet sticky back and heat-rashed-*** at least as much as anyone else could possibly hate it. I am pretty happy living with the perforated leather on the covers...
This allows me to sit down into the seat without sliding down the back bolster or crunching down on the bottom bolster. Going on 4 years since the 'new' leather went on and it all looks great....I hate wet sticky back and heat-rashed-*** at least as much as anyone else could possibly hate it. I am pretty happy living with the perforated leather on the covers...
the left thigh bolster bothers me NOW more than 20 years ago...
from assspreaditis
so this post motivates me to have a go at tweaking the bolster support rods come winter.
and looking at one of the leather recovers. problem is the car has a blue interior.
and i agree the perf'd leather works pretty well and that's in 90+ temps with 80+ humidity...
and NO ac in the car either.
i do cover the cockpit if parking in full sun and throw a towel over the seat base, so as to not fry a thigh.
Production date is 3/88. It does have leather inserts in the door panels, cruise, tilt wheel, key light & a leather steering wheel, but it did not have a CD player. It had the standard tape deck + equalizer. The previous owners did not modify a single thing on the car, so I'd rate the likelihood of them removing the CD player and getting rid of the leather seats pretty low, but not impossible. If they are re-covered, the shop that did it made it look 100% factory. I've had the car since 2000, so it would have had to of come in the first ~12 years of its life.
it's always fun guessing about the car history and subtle mods.
could have been the dealer did the seats or tweaked the stereo prior do delivery, but the cloth i can see in your pic doesn't look 20 years old.
what material is used for the seat backs, that large sectional piece?
both the leather seats AND the cloth oems are VINYL on the back side.
also the mazda cloth (fabric types) options were limited to 2 or 3 finishes so it would be easy to compare that fabric to what was oem.
as for looking original, i was in a shop last week that makes custom convertible tops, seats, interiors AND restores old seats, dash and interior bits...
the work was amazing and i couldn't tell which seats were new on a variety of cars from the 50s to 90s, u.s., german and british makes.
one nice option they offered was redoing the seats in leather EXCEPT for the center section which can be done in microfiber or a variety of other durable cloths...
this might provide the best approach to NEW custom covers, with comfort, look and ventilation.
henry
Last edited by openrx; 07-31-09 at 11:10 PM.
07-31-09, 11:52 PM
#39
ok, that's still early in the product year.
it's always fun guessing about the car history and subtle mods.
could have been the dealer did the seats or tweaked the stereo prior do delivery, but the cloth i can see in your pic doesn't look 20 years old.
what material is used for the seat backs, that large sectional piece?
both the leather seats AND the cloth oems are VINYL on the back side.
also the mazda cloth (fabric types) options were limited to 2 or 3 finishes so it would be easy to compare that fabric to what was oem.
as for looking original, i was in a shop last week that makes custom convertible tops, seats, interiors AND restores old seats, dash and interior bits...
the work was amazing and i couldn't tell which seats were new on a variety of cars from the 50s to 90s, u.s., german and british makes.
one nice option they offered was redoing the seats in leather EXCEPT for the center section which can be done in microfiber or a variety of other durable cloths...
this might provide the best approach to NEW custom covers, with comfort, look and ventilation.
henry
Side note: the S4 NA coupes were also supposed to all have velour, except for the GTU, which had twill like the TII.
Brochures here, post #22: https://www.rx7club.com/2nd-generation-specific-1986-1992-17/restoring-stickies-after-passing-icemark-850967/.
So it's a bit of an unknown. It seems to be the appropriate type of fabric, but it's not the "herringbone" pattern listed in the '88 brochure. It's just solid black.
08-01-09, 12:57 AM
#40
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The entire seat is covered in the same cloth; there is no vinyl at all. But I believe it was the same way with the cloth seats in my TII. I don't think there was any vinyl on them either. The two pairs of seats are also different material, which falls in line with the S4 brochures. The vert's seats are a very soft fabric which I believe is velour, while the TII's fabric was more durable and is listed as twill.
Side note: the S4 NA coupes were also supposed to all have velour, except for the GTU, which had twill like the TII.
Brochures here, post #22: https://www.rx7club.com/showthread.php?t=850967.
So it's a bit of an unknown. It seems to be the appropriate type of fabric, but it's not the "herringbone" pattern listed in the '88 brochure. It's just solid black.
Side note: the S4 NA coupes were also supposed to all have velour, except for the GTU, which had twill like the TII.
Brochures here, post #22: https://www.rx7club.com/showthread.php?t=850967.
So it's a bit of an unknown. It seems to be the appropriate type of fabric, but it's not the "herringbone" pattern listed in the '88 brochure. It's just solid black.
i've got one in my lap now, it's ~30 pages, Rev 2, printed jan/88.
this is the one with the red vert on the cover w/ an invisible hood, followed by a 3 page fold out of the red topless.
most of the smaller perimeter pics feature the leather interor/package upgrade option,
BUT there is one interior shot (about the windblocker) with the base/cloth convertible that shows the seat uppers...
smaller head rests, withOUT speakers in cloth, vinyl sides/back and piping, cannot see the herringbone but it sure looks velour-ish...
just like the red vert 4 sale in chicago, and nothing like your seats which really do look like the leather/speaker seats in cloth.
even the leather seats/headrests have vinyl backs on the convertibles.
there are also really nice interior shots of...
- the turbo II FULL leather (no vinyl like the verts) and pleated leather door inserts, nice leather and NO vinyl bits...
-the gtu full cloth (including piping) 2 tone seats...
-the glx leather front and back seats (2+2), another pattern entirely
-the glx 2 tone cloth seats (vinyl piping and back/sides)
- the se one piece backs (integrated headrests) in horrid 2 pattern/shade blue, with vinyl backs and piping...
while each model is depicted, NOT every color option is shown,
-gray for the vert in leather or cloth
-black or dark gray for the tII leather
-gray/black 2 tone cloth for the gtu
-red leather and gray-black cloth for the glx
-2 tone blue (dark blue/scary teal?) cloth/vinyl for the se...
________________________
i can scan and post the photos of the original interiors if they'd be useful, OR i can send you the cloth vert pix if you'd like...
henry
Last edited by openrx; 08-01-09 at 01:06 AM.
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