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Tue Jun 19, 2012 8:43 pm

I just bought my first bus this weekend. It is a 1978 non walk through with a 1/3 2/3 split front bench. I love it, but have a question for the guys who know everything.

I am looking for seat covers for the bench, and have called around and searched the interwebs, but nobody seems to have them. TMI does not make them for Bays after '76 so they referred me to JBUG'S. The guy I talked to there said that there were no buses produced with a split bench front in '78 in the U.S. He thought that the '76 seat covers might work, but couldn't guarantee it. My research has turned up nothing on the subject.

Anyone know if the 1/3 2/3 bench was an option in '78? It all looks original. Tire in the well beneath the bench... No funny holes drilled for retrofitting the frame... Moreover, does anyone know if the '76 seat covers would fit this seat or where to find covers that do fit?

Thanks in advance.

Tue Jun 19, 2012 9:35 pm

a single cab or a double cab would have the same front seat sizes...and i dont see why 76 and 78 would be any different....its the same width seat....

Tue Jun 19, 2012 11:06 pm

My '78 has that setup, the seat covers were already done when I got it though.

Wed Jun 20, 2012 1:41 am

I have a chocolate brown 78 with the 1/3, 2/3 non walk thru bus that I bought from the daughter of the original owner. It was originally bought in San Diego. and it has the bulk head and tire stored under the front seat. So having the front bench seat was an option available in 78. Will have to take and post a few pics. 8)

Wed Jun 20, 2012 5:23 am

encsdaddy wrote: I have a chocolate brown 78 with the 1/3, 2/3 non walk thru bus that I bought from the daughter of the original owner. It was originally bought in San Diego. and it has the bulk head and tire stored under the front seat. So having the front bench seat was an option available in 78. Will have to take and post a few pics. 8)

I decided to use an M-code reader to see what I could find out about it. Turns out this was a U.S. buyer pick-up from the factory (code UT).

encsdaddy - Any chance you have found a source for seat cover replacement?

Wed Jun 20, 2012 5:46 am

Skoolboy76 wrote: Tire in the well beneath the bench... .

Would it be possible to post a pic of this? Or maybe there's one here someone knows about? This is the second post I've read about the spare and I just can't imagine how it fits here. Thank you.

Wed Jun 20, 2012 6:24 am

Not a great pic but you can see the tire well.

Wed Jun 20, 2012 6:26 am

Did you try sewfine?

Wed Jun 20, 2012 7:12 am

VWsArent4Hippies wrote: Did you try sewfine?

Yes, Sewfine only makes them for up to '73. I know I can go full on custom. I have an upholsterer in the family even, but I would rather have OE style.

Wed Jun 20, 2012 7:29 am

Hmmm... that's a tough one.
I'm not aware of anyone who offers 77+ covers off the shelf for an M500 bus, they'll be the same dimensionally as a late truck but have the heat seams if it's a stationwagon, if it's a Kombi they're the same as the truck with no seams.
I suspect you'll have to pick up the phone and ask TMI, Sewfine, etc.. if they'll make them, or try some European suppliers as the bench bus is far more common there.

Please post how you resolve this as I might just need some one day in the future myself.

Wed Jun 20, 2012 8:46 am

Is this thread still alive? Figure this out?

Yes, that's an original configuration for a 9 passenger transporter. I have one and can help you if you need reference pics, compare notes, etc.

But just to be clear. Are you looking for seat UPHOLSTERY (DIY slip on replacement of original) or seat COVERS (Sheep skin, etc)?

I only ask because I've searched hi and low for sheep skins and it seems they are not readily available off the shelf. Not for internet ordering anyway. And 3 local upholstery shops all directed me to one guy in Seattle that is supposedly the only guy in town who can get them. Who knew!

I was surprise to see these on Bus Depot yesterday. Looks very close to original:

http://www.busdepot.com/J14971
http://www.busdepot.com/J14968

Wed Jun 20, 2012 9:45 am

Owch!, kinda spendy but they do look nice and claim to fit a late seat.
I wonder if the Kombi pattern is all they offer or can you get the stationwagon horizontal seam version too?

Wed Jun 20, 2012 11:42 am

babysnakes wrote: Not a great pic but you can see the tire well.

Still not seeing it? Does it sit flat against the front side of the bulkhead like the indent here shows?
[/img]

Wed Jun 20, 2012 11:50 am

Maybe this will help. This is my '78. It looks to me like the PO either used earlier seats (and recovered them) or possibly redid the original seats with these covers.

Wed Jun 20, 2012 11:57 am

Thanks Stuco,

Well stocked spare tire well in use. :D

Wed Jun 20, 2012 12:09 pm

babysnakes wrote:

Well stocked spare tire well in use. :D

Yeah, things to tend to 'collect' down there. :)

Wed Jun 20, 2012 12:52 pm

Wow, I wasn't expecting that! I didn't think there would be room that way. I like it though. Not a simple modification for sure. Either you have it or you don't! Thank you.

Wed Jun 20, 2012 1:42 pm

[quote="Daverham"]Is this thread still alive? Figure this out?

Yes, that's an original configuration for a 9 passenger transporter. I have one and can help you if you need reference pics, compare notes, etc.

But just to be clear. Are you looking for seat UPHOLSTERY (DIY slip on replacement of original) or seat COVERS (Sheep skin, etc)?

I only ask because I've searched hi and low for sheep skins and it seems they are not readily available off the shelf. Not for internet ordering anyway. And 3 local upholstery shops all directed me to one guy in Seattle that is supposedly the only guy in town who can get them. Who knew!

I was surprise to see these on Bus Depot yesterday. Looks very close to original:

http://www.busdepot.com/J14971
http://www.busdepot.com/J14968

Rock on Daverham! I was just going to send you a PM as I came across your bus this morning. We do have the same bus right down to the original color scheme. Mine has been painted the orange/creme combo, but I was considering going to Reef Blue when I do repaint.

You are correct. I am looking for OE style seat "upholstery". I looked on Busdepot, but missed these somehow. Even better, I searched "Newton Upholstery" and found the seat upholstery direct from them is close to $200 cheaper (+ shipping). Check it out. I am going Tartan Red.

http://www.newtoncomm.co.uk/cars/vw-camper-van/model-131/seats/3086-products-3086/

Fri Jun 22, 2012 5:11 pm

Just for reference, I checked and can feel headrest mounting holes through the seat upholstery so I believe these are the original seats recovered. I assume that earlier (or generic?) bay covers will work. You could make the holes and install headrests easily in mine. This may be a cheaper option, I'm not sure what all is currently available.

Fri Jun 22, 2012 7:07 pm

Those are 76+ seats, I can see the late style adjuster handle peeking out.