ZZ3Astro

I'm not super thrilled with these covers. They are well made but I don't like the material or color. Anyway they do look better than the stained, worn and torn original covering so I'm going to use them anyway! Still, I feel like there must be some material out there that is a close match than "Pontiac Grand Am velvet" that I consider these to be.

Figured I'd post up some pics comparing the oem to these covers and the progress of my recovering efforts.


The original seats. The split rears were in decent shape (backs at least)


Removing the hog rings and pulling off the old cover.


Wow those old hog rings are strong! My hands are hurting already


Sliding new cover on


Three hog ring slots. Oddly both of my factory covers only had two installed (middle and one side)


Hog ring installed.


I used the old seat cover to line up the location for cutting a slot to mount the latch. I cut this easily with a razor blade.


Old on left, new on right.

ZZ3Astro

Old in back


Old in front.. see how nice that weave looks compared to the new stuff?


Old on left. Wrinkles in new because they roll the covers up and shove them in a long narrow box. I assume they will go away. Pretty big color difference. Not impressed.


Carpet similar but not exact. Workable.


Rear seat bottom awaiting my next batch of motivation!

'87IROCZOWNER69

iTrader: (1)

Not a fan of that new material. I like the old stuff because it is thick and tough! It's almost like sitting on kevlar!

MI ROC-Z

The main difference I can see is that the new seat covers are made from a fabric resembling tweed. Do you like the feel of the new covers or does it feel cheap?

ZZ3Astro

To me they feel cheap. I haven't sat in them and driven around or anything, but the material feels like it will be hot compared to the original.

Also the round vinyl stuff around the edges (dunno what it's called!) is very rough feeling - like 80 grit sandpaper rough. The oem stuff is smooth.

drknow90rs_ss@y

iTrader: (3)

They look good, But I think I agree with you on the fabric. The original is more like a tweed and the new stuff is definately velour.

MI ROC-Z

Sorry to hear that... I hate the fact that there is little to no OER replacement stuff for the third gens. Something like the seat material not resembling the original stuff is something that would bug me too. I bet you paid good money for those and were expecting a heck of a lot more quality/care when it came to how they were produced.

Just wondering while were on the topic of seat cover replacement... has anyone ever taken the passenger side cover and put it on the driver seat? The reason I ask is because my driver side lumbar support is wearing thin and I don't want it to tear, so my thought was to take off the passenger cover and put it on the driver seat.

ZZ3Astro

I wasn't expecting too much based on things I've read, but I was fairly disappointed with the color difference more than anything else. I might go leather or 4th gen seats at some point. I just wanted to keep the 80's vibe going.

drknow90rs_ss@y

iTrader: (3)

I think on a camaro the upper part might be interchangable...

scooter500

iTrader: (1)

it's called piping

Camaro Z Man

I would have sent them back ! I am not a fan of that kind of fabric they used to make those. I know the original kind of fabric is still around. I just had the driver seat in my 87 IROC repaired a few weeks ago and the fabric they used was a perfect match to the original. I have gray interrior also.

scottmoyer

I also noticed the rear seat back angle stitching is opposite than factory.

IBrockZ

iTrader: (3)

I have the same seat fabric in my iroc. Looks like a grey weave/tweed. I found a company that reproduces the original fabric. They're called SMS fabrics I believe search it on Google. They are located in Portland, OR. They will send you sample pieces as well to make sure it is a correct match. They have sent me a sample it looks just like OEM maybe a tad darker.

82tarecaro

iTrader: (4)

You could probably get the original fabric from a place like SMS, but it is expensive.

mantaguy

iTrader: (5)

What is the name of the company that made them???

IBrockZ

iTrader: (3)

Well if you are complaining about cheap feeling fabric like he is above you might just consider paying it. You get what you pay for I guess Idk what yo tell ya. Sms has reproduction fabrics that other companies don't make. So they can charge what they want basically. I just thought id mention them because he thought his looked cheap and sms has nice fabric. If you want your correct fabric they should have it.

82tarecaro

iTrader: (4)

I am not disagreeing with you. I am trying to get the correct fabric from them for my car. I am having a hell of a time getting the correct color from them though.

IBrockZ

iTrader: (3)

They are pricey tho for sure. And I think I got a sample and it was a tad darker too. I'm pretty sure it was the right color tho. Idk if I'd be able to put a piece into an existing portion of a seat and expect it to match in my particular situation. It would look off I think for my color. I think I can get away with taking the fabric from my door panels since they aren't stitched. I'm hoping I can do that and just have the door panels done in stuff from sms.

80schild

iTrader: (5)

I bought mine from Larry Dennis Co., they were a bit cheaper then SMS.

thecovergirl

That is what I always tell everybody is you get what you pay for. When you think the price of factory OEM seat covers is high, that is exactly why because your getting exactly that.......(factory OEM). I hate that velour crap. If some of you like it..............fine, but I don't like the velour because it looks and feels cheap. Just my 2 cents! Larry Dennis has the factory OEM fabric and they are cheaper than SMS.

navy02ws6

It just amazes me that no major manufacturer makes the correct pattern for GM cars. It's not like it was a one year only thing on one make/model, GM uses pretty much the same pattern/weave for cloth since it was first available in the mid-70s all the way up through the mid-90s. Not cool. Glad my originals are in nice shape, I don't want leather, and I wouldn't pay money for the wrong pattern.

mantaguy

iTrader: (5)

I bought mine from Classic,they were manufactured by PUI.they had the exact fabric for the 86 TA,(Pallax fabric).The Carmine color is spot on,the Graphite appears to be a little darker,but I think it's right,I forget what it looked like when it was new.When I look at some of the old pieces(under the seats and under the head rest)it's correct.

SolarGoldRaptor

Really sad to see that the repro covers for third gens are not correct in any way. Color, piping, fabric...nothing is the same :/ Our cars are pretty popular, even though not many people restore them at the time.

I bought two large upholstery leather skins for my seats at a bargain price. I'm gonna do them myself. I should have enough for the seating areas. There's no reproduction covers for my seats anyway.

55ChevyMan

this for anyone I am working on 86 IROC Z left front bucket seat there a wire on side that wear out the seat is there a way to fix that most third gen seats wear out on there I have removed the seat cover and that wire put a hole in the corner foam I think two wires connect there I might go talk to an upholster cause that wire is the cause of the wear on right front seat the wire is on the right corner and left corner on a driver seat I was told to use a file on the sharp wires and to make sure to put canvas material on sides on top of the foam where they wear out

Ruckusz28

iTrader: (3)

Looks like a big improvement over what you had! Good install.

55ChevyMan

I talked to auto upholster and was told the repair on the corner spring to take a file and file them down and put canvass material on top my seat are grey so will use grey canvass I also remove one seat covers and washed them in washing machine and they came out a lot better nice and clean I hope this help some one

IBrockZ

iTrader: (3)

Just got off the phone with the Larry Dennis company and they said they do not carry the correct fabrics for our thirdgen cars. The gentlemen told me they only carry fabrics for vehicles 1994 and up. Just thought I'd share this info. They gave me a number for a place they think can help me but their office is closed for the evening so I will try them tomorrow. The name of the company they refered me to is Original Auto Interiors located in MI. Their website is http://originalauto.com/ I will keep you guys updated weather they have the correct fabrics for my car.

SMS might be the only company that makes the correct fabric for my 1987 Iroc-Z with Deluxe option interior. My OEM fabric is a light/medium grey woven fabric. If anyone knows where I may be able to locate this fabric besides SMS please PM me.

mantaguy

iTrader: (5)

Try PUI,not sure if they do Chevy,but they were spot on,on the Pallax fabric for my 86 TA.

http://puiinteriors.com/

IBrockZ

iTrader: (3)

Cool thanks! I will check them I see they make new seat foam for our cars! How did your foam look when you replaced the fabric? Did the foam look all stained and nasty under the fabric?

thecovergirl

Sorry but the last time I spoke with the gentleman at Larry Dennis he had the fabric for the third gens. It was about a month ago when I spoke to him. I don't know if maybe somebody called and bought what he had left before you got ahold of him, but if I thought he didn't have it I definitely would not have told you to call them. Sorry about that. The only other place I know of is Original Auto, but they are basically the same price as SMS. I have no idea where you could look from here. I wish I did because I have alot of third gen customers wanting original. If I do find anybody I will definitely post it here. Good luck.

IBrockZ

iTrader: (3)

Its ok you dont need to apologies I appreciate the recommendation! The only reason I said they dont have the correct fabrics for thirdgens is bc he told me they only have fabrics from '94 and up. That told me they did not have the OEM fabrics for these cars bc thirdgen are 82-92. Just thought I'd share my findings is all...

thecovergirl

Oh that's ok. I was just saying is all. I hope you find what you need.

mantaguy

iTrader: (5)

[QUOTE=IBrockZ;5644577]Cool thanks! I will check them I see they make new seat foam for our cars! How did your foam look when you replaced the fabric? Did the foam look all stained and nasty under the fabric?[/QUOTE,
It was a little more yellow,but it was still OK to cover.PUI don't sell to the public,so if they have what material your looking for,ask them who they recommend.I got mine from Classic Industries.

((Mike))

iTrader: (1)

Just a heads up about classic industries. If they don't show a part that you need in their catalog, try calling their customer service and asking anyway. I was in their showroom yesterday looking for a new coolant temp gage as mine took a dump. The guy behind the counter was about has helpful as a tree stump. I called today and they were able to order it for me. They were the cheapest too. $40 bucks! Its a shame that some of the parts for 3rd generation cars are nearly impossible to find.

scottmoyer

I'll have to call them today. I think my fuel gauge is on the fritz.

((Mike))

iTrader: (1)

You sure it's not the sending unit?

Twin_Turbo

iTrader: (25)

Lol ^

mantaguy

iTrader: (5)

Just a heads up Scott,Classic is having a 20% sale this week.

zenish

i see nothing on their website about 20 percent off.

mantaguy

iTrader: (5)

Use code RTC13,expires Oct.8th at midnight.

zenish

the seat covers i looked at at classic said discount exempt.i have 1997 camaro seats that need to be a better color and hopefully leather.

mantaguy

iTrader: (5)

Wow,that's a shame,they let me use it on my upholstery purchase.
SubTotal $497.94
Promotion/Volume Discount -$ 73.50
Tax $ 0.00
Shipping $ 42.95
Insurance $ 3.50
Total Amount $470.89

55ChevyMan

I looking for seat covers for a 86 IROC Z gray /black where can I get them from ??thanks