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-   77-81 Firebird & Trans Am TECH (https://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=441)
-   -   Modern retro Recaro seats (https://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=866372)

bobzdar 05-01-2023 08:28 PM

Modern retro Recaro seats
 
My '79 tata needs new front seat covers and they are back ordered by 8 ish months. I'm not a huge fan from a comfort standpoint so was thinking of instead going with the Recaro Classic LX line, has anybody tried this and know what would need to be done to mount them? They have a silver gray two tone that would match the interior and be period correct and I could always have the originals recovered later.

mzbk2l 05-02-2023 09:43 AM

Sounds like a great upgrade, especially if you hold on to the originals. I haven't done Recaro, but I had 1984 Fiero seats in my '77 Trans Am and it was a huge improvement. That car was a rust bucket and I just drilled new holes for the brackets that didn't line up. These days I'd make a nicer adapter if needed to go from the factory holes to the seats.

1965gp 05-02-2023 02:32 PM

Very nice upgrade. I would think it would be fairly easy to install. I have a set of vintage flo-fit seats I’m thinking of putting in my 87 Formula for that same vintage look.

Skip Fix 05-02-2023 05:11 PM

I had Recaro LS in my TA when I was autocrossing it . They were great. You have to buy a seat adapter. Looks similar to the generic SCAT and Summit seat brackets.

Plan it they are going back in now. Those factory seats are just too soft to corner in again.

Gator67 05-02-2023 06:49 PM

1 Attachment(s)
I'm running Recaro Specialist M's in my 70 (a version of the LX I believe). The regular Specialist/LX have taller side bolsters, but to me the M is much more comfortable on longer drives. Ordered the least expensive version (cloth) and had them upholstered to mimic factory pattern. The seat brackets/sliders are from Wedge https://wedgebrackets.com/pontiac-fi...-brackets.html No modifications necessary, fit perfect, super comfortable.

http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...1&d=1683067312

nUcLeArEnVoY 05-04-2023 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gator67 (Post 6425144)
I'm running Recaro Specialist M's in my 70 (a version of the LX I believe). The regular Specialist/LX have taller side bolsters, but to me the M is much more comfortable on longer drives. Ordered the least expensive version (cloth) and had them upholstered to mimic factory pattern. The seat brackets/sliders are from Wedge https://wedgebrackets.com/pontiac-fi...-brackets.html No modifications necessary, fit perfect, super comfortable.

http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...1&d=1683067312

This looks amazing - you'd think they were factory. This is exactly what I want to do for my '79,but with lombardy/hobnail so I'll have to get two different types of fabric along with piping. I was actually thinking of getting some used Pontiac Fiero seats. Saves a lot of money, and their styling is sort of reminiscent of Recaros. The headrest is just a little wider.

mzbk2l 05-04-2023 03:12 PM

1 Attachment(s)
Quote:

Originally Posted by nUcLeArEnVoY (Post 6425433)
This looks amazing - you'd think they were factory. This is exactly what I want to do for my '79,but with lombardy/hobnail so I'll have to get two different types of fabric along with piping. I was actually thinking of getting some used Pontiac Fiero seats. Saves a lot of money, and their styling is sort of reminiscent of Recaros. The headrest is just a little wider.

One thing I remember with the Fiero seats was that the original retractor assemblies for the seat belts didn't fit between the seat and the door any more. I ended up removing the factory belts and using lap belts only from a 240Z. They were fully manual adjustable only - no retractors at all.

Looks like I possibly could have moved the seats closer to the console when I mounted them? (Picture from a Virginia Beach hotel room balcony in ~1992.)

vertigto 05-04-2023 03:47 PM

Gator...those seats are fantastic!

Lee 05-04-2023 04:33 PM

My dad put some higher-end Recaros in his '79 400 4spd, back in the mid-80's. The freakin' Recaro adapter plates were expensive! Testing my memory, but I'm thinking the adapters cost him about $500 back then.

Skip Fix 05-04-2023 07:23 PM

Lee they were pricey back then! Why at first iI just put a new one on driver's side. Founf a used one and track for the passenger. But they look a lot like the newer less expensive ones.

TAKerry 05-05-2023 07:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gator67 (Post 6425144)
I'm running Recaro Specialist M's in my 70 (a version of the LX I believe). The regular Specialist/LX have taller side bolsters, but to me the M is much more comfortable on longer drives. Ordered the least expensive version (cloth) and had them upholstered to mimic factory pattern. The seat brackets/sliders are from Wedge https://wedgebrackets.com/pontiac-fi...-brackets.html No modifications necessary, fit perfect, super comfortable.

http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...1&d=1683067312

One problem with aftermarket seats is that for the most part they just look out of place. In this case they look fantastic. Having the upholstery done to the period style was a detail that made all the difference.

Skip Fix 05-05-2023 09:36 AM

My plan is to refreshen mine matching the 78 material.

'ol Pinion head 05-05-2023 10:23 AM

So SWEET when reupholstered to match an original interior.

bankbook 05-08-2023 05:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bobzdar (Post 6424945)
My '79 tata needs new front seat covers and they are back ordered by 8 ish months. I'm not a huge fan from a comfort standpoint so was thinking of instead going with the Recaro Classic LX line, has anybody tried this and know what would need to be done to mount them? They have a silver gray two tone that would match the interior and be period correct and I could always have the originals recovered later.

Same problem here.
Waiting on leather sample from LSeat.com on their $349.00 covers.. They have Deluxe patterns as well as 81 Recaro TA seat leathers.
My other option is to find a set on Ebay and find someone to recover.

Maxthe222 05-09-2023 01:06 AM

1 Attachment(s)
Doing similar. My '79 Fire Am had the VSE Recaro IdealSitz N's, they were missing when I got the car, but got the exact date coded seats locally here on our version of Craiglist. Having them trimmed like the other F/A Recaro seats and the K-Type prototype Recaro seats with the factory Hobnail inserts. This is a photo of that 1978-9 silver K-Type T/A that pops up occasionally

bobzdar 05-17-2023 07:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gator67 (Post 6425144)
I'm running Recaro Specialist M's in my 70 (a version of the LX I believe). The regular Specialist/LX have taller side bolsters, but to me the M is much more comfortable on longer drives. Ordered the least expensive version (cloth) and had them upholstered to mimic factory pattern. The seat brackets/sliders are from Wedge https://wedgebrackets.com/pontiac-fi...-brackets.html No modifications necessary, fit perfect, super comfortable.

http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...1&d=1683067312

Awesome, this is the ticket I think. I'm thinking gray leather specialist M with the artista insert to give it that late 70's early 80's feel.

https://www.maperformance.com/produc...20576944619590


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