Ghia seat refinishing questions

[jkelsch]

I have these seats for my '69 Ghia. I know they're not original since they're low backs, and original lowbacks, not hacked.

I would like to know what year they are from. I'm thinking early '60s but I'm not sure.

I am in the process of reupholstering them and have some questions about the back cover. There aren't very many pictures of the backs of these seats out there. Mine have screws holding them onto the frame, and from the looks of the mounting holes I don't think those screws are original, and frankly I don't really like them.

Does anyone have a picture of a similar style seat with the original backing they could share? Also how were those backings held on at the factory, were screws all around standard?

Any suggestions I should look out for when recovering my seats?

[Redlabel6]

it's hard to tell from the picture. Are there nuts on the posts that hold the backs on? Also, is the frame for the back straight? I mean the vertical tube is not curved? You may need to pull the covers off to be sure, but they kind of look like recovered '57 Beetle seats.
I'm not sure if early Ghia's had the same seat or not.

If they are early Beetle seats PM me... I need a set for my '57 Beetle.

d
_________________
1957 Oval Window Beetle
1973 Karmann Ghia Coupe
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=666792&highlight=73+coupe

[Exnermobiles]

The rear covers of the early sixties front seat backrests are held in place with a set of metal clips:

Originally there were screws only on each lower corner.

Regards,
Exnermobiles
_________________
1962 Karmann Ghia Coupe
1958 Plymouth Belvedere Sport Coupe
1959 Dodge Sierra STW

[Braukuche]

Did someone put in earlier seat tracks? Low backs won’t fit the seat tracks on 69 up.
_________________
Go Reds! Smash state!

Retirement is here!
1956 Ghia
1959 SO-23 Westfalia
1960 double cab
1960 Baja Bug
1963 stretched double cab
1962 Golde sunroof Ghia
1963 356 B coupe
1963 Notchback
1967 21 window less rusty now

[jkelsch]

Exnermobiles: Those pictures are EXTREMEMLY helpful! Thank you very much.

I can see in the wood backing where those tabs would have been mounted, but they don't exist anymore. It also looks like the lower corner screw holes exist and appear to be factory.

Braukuche: I don't know. Here's a picture of the rails that are on my pan.

Also including a pic of the bottom of my seat where it would mount to the seat rails.

[c21darrel]

You need to measure the mounting rails before you put too much effort into the lowbacks, GL.
_________________
GhiaBuild
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=481184
1967 DC build
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=693583&highlight=67+dc
Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery!

[[email protected]]

[jkelsch]

[Exnermobiles]

[ELFRIED]

These are completely missing for my 2 Frontseats.Except them I have thé original ice Blue interior present.In a decent shape but off course not flawless.
Been basisrating for a new interior but like thé ice Blue so much, devices tot keep it.
Now on thé Hunt for those backs

[Rome]

jkelsch: my GUESS is that your black lowback seats are from a '66 Ghia. In '66 VW changed the steering wheel color from ivory to black, and IIRC the seat frames were also black instead of the previous color that matched other interior pieces such as ivory or ice blue. A '67 Ghia seat is also lowback but has a backrest release knob. Also, the shape of the seat position release lever knob changed over the years; yours is black and more of a "cone" shape; earlier ones were ivory and round. There are a few very detailed lists of body and equipment component colors for Ghias in German, but I can't find one for a '66.

Moogie32 has this photo of an original '63 Ghia seat in her gallery. Just like Exnermobiles mentioned, her '63 seats only had the 2 fastening screws down at the bottom of the backrest. The backrest rear cover uses those large clips to snap it to the backrest frame.

I don't remember if any lowback Ghia used all of those screws along the backrest cover perimeter as on your seat... Since they look to be evenly spaced on the left and right sides, and you found properly drilled holes in the seatback frame; they are likely factory original- at least for a few years. 67 Florida Deluxe has a lovely, low-mileage original '66 Ghia Cabrio with black interior. He does not have a photo of the backs of front seats in his gallery, but you could PM him and ask if he could take a photo; or at least see if his seats have all of those perimeter screws.

Be very careful about your '69's seat track. The '69's tracks were spaced closer together than on '68 and earlier. I think the inner track next to the tunnel was always in the same location; only the outer track moved closer in. You need to have sturdy welds for the wider track which your lowback seats need- it's a safety issue.

[csc23]

The hard boards on the back of the seat have been replaced. Originals were same material as door panels.(Masonite type material) With the new boards came non factory screws added to the perimeter. Rome is correct in assuming the two at the bottom are correct and factory. But only two, one on each side.

I agree that they look like 66 seats. It would be easier to tell with a photo of the seat base from a top view. My driver side 66 seat is stripped right now. Mine retain the original backer board with two sets of oval holes on each side for the clips shown previously. Then finished with two screws at the base. But like you the OP added self tapping screws to secure the perimeter. These will be omitted when the covers are put back on. I can take a few photos if you would like.

Hope this helps.
Cory

[bnam]

Are those clips available?
_________________
1971 1302LS Convertible (RHD) owned since '74
Click to view image
1965 Karmann Ghia Coupe - under restoration
1966 Fiat 1500 Cabrio (with 1600 Twin cam)
1952 Citroen TA 11BL

[csc23]

Karmann Ghia Parts and Restoration had them last time I looked, I think they are like 5$ a piece. I need some as well.

[csc23]

https://airheadparts.com/vw-part/clip-front-seat-upholstery-board-141-881-995/

[The aussie Trimmer]

This is a design flaw from factory; when people climb in and out of these cars, they put downward pressure on the back boards and the 2 screws at the bottom take all that downward pressure.

When I remake these panels; I fit the 6 locating prongs upside down, this way any downward pressure is evenly distributed over the whole panel and not on the two screws alone.
_________________
Cheers,
Kev.
Drive with your lights on (Be aware be seen) help others GIVE Blood

[hitest]

[The aussie Trimmer]

Another trick is; when your finished covering the panels, give it a light spray on the underside of the panel board with water, place 2 pieces of 2" pipe full length under the sides and place a weight in the middle of the panel (I use a house brick, but you could use a bag of sand) to give even distribution over the board, wait till the panel is dry. This will destress the board put the curve into the panel.