How to install New Beetle seats in a '73 Super Beetle

[jermnc77]

Hello everybody! This is my first post on here!

So, I've bought some seats from a 2000 New Beetle and I want to install them into my '73 Super Beetle.

Is there an aftermarket kit for this installation? Or will it need to be special-made?

I've seen New Beetle seats in an old Beetle, so I know it can be done. But how?

Thanks!!!
Jeremy

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[Glenn]

You'll have to make some sort of adapters.
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Glenn
74 Beetle Specs | 74 Beetle Restoration | 2180cc Engine
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[jermnc77]

Are you sure? Has anyone ever made these before? I'm curious as to how they look...
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[jermnc77]

I'm getting these seats today and I'm hoping to work on it this weekend.

I know I've seen pics on here with new seats in them....


Any suggestions or examples on how to make an adapter bracket for these?
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[DrDarby]

Having both a new & old beetles this 'aint going to be an easy feat. The NB seats are at least 4" wider and have different tracks. Is Glenn sure about needing to make an adapter ?! Yes he is.
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[jermnc77]

Do you have any examples or pictures of what this bracket will need to look like? I'm searching the internet for anything on this and coming up with nothing so far.

I know the NB seats have different tracks compared the SB.... I wonder if I just take it to a local welder if he could configure something for it?

Again, any info is greatly appreciated! Thanks guys!

Just need a bit more specific info now...
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[ach60]

So I compared my '78 Super 'vert to my 2005 New Beetle Convertible.
The seat tracks & mechanism in my old '99 New Beetle looks just like the 2005.
So it looks like the smart thing to do is cut the floor out of a NB so you get the matching tracks & center mount.
As the Doc said there is 4" difference in width in the seat tracks, the NB is 21", and the '78 is 17".
Looks to me like it will take a lot of cutting & welding to narrow the NB mechanism to 17".
And again as much effort to rebuild the center track mount to accept the NB center track.
The NB seat sits low in the car where the Beetle seats seem to sit about 4" higher.
On the plus side the seat pads seem about the same width, so may be the NB seats could be re-built onto the '73 seat bases.
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Good Luck
Al

[jermnc77]

Alright!! Now we're talking!!

Okay, so here's my next question... (I hope these are helping others too)

Is there a way to take the NB seats and mount them on the existing SB hardware?

Because, after getting the seats home, I realized that I didn't think to get the tracks for the NB seats. As you so greatly pointed out, they might not fit anyway on the floor since they are wider (?)

So I'm wondering if a bracket can be made to set the NB seats on the slider track of the SB assembly?

Hey, at this point, I'm wondering if I made a good purchase or not. It seems like I would have just been better off to get the old seats reupholstered.

BUT the driving force here, is if you look at my cardomain page, you will see my old beetle (76, red). It had Ford Escort GT seats in it... So, I'm waxing nestalgic on my old beetle and hoping to get this SB to a good spot like it was.

Whatever I figure out, or decide to, I promise you I will take lots of pictures!!

KEEP THE ADVICE COMING!!!
It's greatly appreciated!!!
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