mattbhm

Hey, I'm back. I'm going to start a thread somewhere(Where would you start a thread for a build start to finish?) about my Trans Am, I started one in Tech/Engines when I had an engine problem but now it's just an overall restomod.

So, we tore out the interior which I'll photograph when I make a new thread, and are working on fixing up the little bit of rust and stuff. But as always, I am always looking around for good deals on stuff even if we don't need them right now. The seats that were in it are pretty trashed. They'd definitely need a recover, but the driver side latch is broken so the seat is just loose.

So I found these on CL: https://bham.craigslist.org/pts/5406826376.html Which look extremely nice, and we wanted to switch the interior from black to tan anyways.

So I guess my questions are;

Would they fit? Although I've done bucket loads of research and it seems like they'll drop right in. My Trans am does have the split back seat.

Would they look right? 4th Gen Camaro seats in a 3rd gen Trans am? Would they look good with the tan carpet that supposedly was stock in these from Classic Industries? Would they match the door panels? Could we find a plastic paint to paint the plastic trim pieces that would match?


Are they a great deal that definitely shouldn't be passed up at $500 for front and rear?




Thanks guys!

jkris53406

iTrader: (5)

Yes these bolt right in. They look like they are in very nice shape, BUT, he did not show a picture from the drivers side. Make sure to get shots of that before you go look at these.
Being these are Camaro seats they are different than the bird seats. Usually they are nicer and have better bolsters on the sides.
As for the color, I am sure you can find dyes for your panels and such.

mattbhm

Awesome! I'll wait for a few more answers before contacting him. $500 for me is still a lot, but if it's a good deal I'm all happy with it. Because if I don't get seats now, I'll have to get them later.

Some more pictures he sent me yesterday;

naf

iTrader: (7)

You can recover the original seats for less than $500. I would recommend finding a good passenger seat foam bottom to replace the certainly saggy driver's seat bottom.

Classic sells a PUI seat cover that is near the factory style pallex. Catch them near a holiday and you will likely get 20% off.

If you install those, DO NOT paint the plastic trim pieces at the bottom near the seat belt retractor. Fourth gen seats will likely rub there, check for clearance first.

mattbhm

Yes, but like I said the latch is broken in the driver side, and my neighbor(who gave me the car and owns a body shop) looked at it and said it's probably not worth fixing.

Now, that's because the time it would take to do it, if I could do it I may. That and they're just plain old beat. Every part of them is worn down. According to my neighbor they've been in there for the last 150k+ miles, and he thinks more like 200k+. And not used by someone who cared about the car.

mattbhm

Well, he said he'll throw in the seat belts for free, and I need seat belts so..


Will 4th gen camaro seat belts bolt right into a 3rd gen firebird?

If so, I think I might take the seats.

naf

iTrader: (7)

the seat belts aren't a perfect fit except for the 82 model that does not have the floor mounted seat belt retractor

mattbhm

Can you get like 82' sill plates or something? I can't seem to find them but I would think there would have to be some..


But see, if I don't use these, it means I have to find a good set of tan seatbelts for this car which seem to be extremely hard to find..

mattbhm

Final opinions on whether or not I should get them? I'd like to send him a yes or no this afternoon. I'm still thinking yes, but of course want opinions.

Will new door panels match ok? My father said worst case he has to make a new set, but at $100/e from CI, if they would match they'd be better.

Any other things to watch out for?

I really want them if they're as good of a deal as they look, but..

Dyno Don

iTrader: (7)

If you have the split rear, the back won't fit.
The mountings are welded in.

mattbhm

I have the Split rear bottom, but the back is one piece.

That back seat won't fit? I hope that's not the case.. We just called him and said we'd pick them up Sunday..

Dyno Don

iTrader: (7)

If you have the the one piece back you're good to go.

mattbhm

Yeah, I do. Whew, I was scared for a second there!


I guess we're gonna get them on Sunday, I'll post some pics when we get them!!

mattbhm

Just got home with them(4 hour there and back) and they look beautiful! There are some small small(And I mean small) imperfections, and one little cut almost, but I mean they look good.

We're going to go eat dinner with a friend, so I'll get pics when I get back/tomorrow. We stuck them in the car, and let me just tell you, getting them lined up and ready to bolt in is literally setting them in and putting the bolts in. I mean no trouble at all.

johnbhm

iTrader: (1)

Some pictures.

One question, what should I put on the seats? My father said they seem a little to dry, but I didn't want to put anything on them without asking you guys.

EDIT: Sorry, on my fathers account cause my PC doesn't have an SD card reader. I should mostly be using my account.

WTR388

Nice find. There are lots of leather moisturizer products out there, I'm not an expert, but I know some of the guys on here know their products.
I use a maguires leather cleaner/conditioner and it helps my black leather seats in the summer time (mine came from a saturn of all things). It's a good product for general cleaning, but there are some deep down products out there.

nhgator

Those look good,when I got my bird the interior was trashed and I got a good deal on leather camaro seats from a member here but they are wearing out now,a set of those would be a nice upgrade.

mattbhm

Thanks, I ended up with a Lexal cleaner and a Lexal Conditioner. We tested it on the back seats and it really brings them back to life! They were very stiff before using it..

Thanks haha!

mattbhm

I'm just curious as to what you guys think looks best with these Neutral Tan leather seats? As in Carpets/Door panels/headliner.

It's a budget build, but the interior was so bad, it all needs to be replaced. So we're getting brand new all of that. I'd love for it all to be at CI or Hawks(CI is cheaper, and we wouldn't be getting all of this if we didn't need to). My father used to be a professional auto/marine upholsterer, and some of his work was unreal, but without a machine it's difficult to do. Not to mention, he said between time and the materials it would cost more than $200/set for door panels. I've been told Pewter looks good, need some opinions. We'll be painting the plastic trim also.

The only good thing is that paint won't cost much, or possibly anything when it comes time. Like I've mentioned before, our neighbor who gave me the car, owns a body shop. He just wants it to be at it's former glory, and also said it would take near no time to paint because 80% of the car is glass!!

Thanks!