1. Registration trouble? Please use the "Contact Us" link at the bottom right corner of the page and your issue will be resolved.
    Dismiss Notice

Photos Of Original Seats

Discussion in 'Early Jeep Restoration and Research' started by maurywhurt, Jan 17, 2018.

  1. Jan 17, 2018
    maurywhurt

    maurywhurt Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Western North...
    Joined:
    Dec 12, 2009
    Messages:
    873
    I plan to have my '67's original, molded foam type seats professionally reupholstered at an excellent local shop soon. First, the old aftermarket covers and worn-out foam will be removed from the metal frames (which are fortunately still in good shape). New foam contoured to match the original will be installed on the frames, then covered in marine vinyl.

    I'd like to replicate the original seat cover patterns as closely as possible. To help ensure that this happens, I'm searching for photos of factory seats from the 1966-'68(?) time frame. Any such photos that could be posted here would be much appreciated.

    Along with the front seats, I'm also going to have an aftermarket (Rugged Ridge) rear seat reupholstered to match, to the extent that's possible. Photos of any original rear seats from the later '60s would likewise be very helpful.

    Below are the best photos I've been able to find online to date. The first is a zoomed-in view of this 1966 marketing shot:

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]


    I don't know whether the front and rear seats in these photos are factory original or not - but if not, they've been very nicely reupholstered to match the OEM seats:


    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Dec 10, 2018
  2. Jan 18, 2018
    1967 CJ5A

    1967 CJ5A Mike 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Raleigh, NC
    Joined:
    May 12, 2012
    Messages:
    723
    Those look close to oem, but not exact. I'm not sure if I have any photos of my originals before I replaced them. One thing to note is that the horizontal pleats are molded (melted) into the material, rather than stitched. I was told by the upholstery shop that it was unlikely that anyone could recreate that type of pleat.
     
  3. Jan 19, 2018
    mike starck

    mike starck Member

    salem,oregon
    Joined:
    Jun 22, 2006
    Messages:
    762
    Can't help with pics of early seats but thought I would pass along some info on my seat adventure.I did a pair of front seats about the same as you describe.Peel;ed away all the lower foam (back foam was good) and removed badly rusted springs.Cleaned rust from frames and removed broken bolts and chased threads on mounting holes.sourced like new springs from a spare rear seat.painted frames with por-15 and installed springs.returned seats to upholstery shop and they built up foam and recovered. The rear seat was recovered as well but didn't need any extra work. Very happy with the outcome as I now have the correct seats in my '71 ren II. the cost was about $1000. Good luck on your project . mike
     
  4. Jan 19, 2018
    BJHitson60

    BJHitson60 Member

    San Rafael, CA
    Joined:
    Nov 20, 2009
    Messages:
    214
    You may want to look at the seat covers at Jeepster Guru (do a Google search). The guy has covers for CJs as well as Jeepsters and offers several styles and colors.
     
  5. Jan 19, 2018
    zootin

    zootin Member

    SW Oregon
    Joined:
    Aug 29, 2016
    Messages:
    93
    Maury,

    Here is a photo of the original seats in my 6t6 CJ 5 V6.

    upload_2018-1-19_14-51-33.png

    The seats have since been recovered in Black as the tan doesn't go with the new spruce tip green paint job.

    upload_2018-1-19_14-53-25.png

    Frank
     
    Criss, Danefraz, Twin2 and 2 others like this.
  6. Sep 7, 2018
    JJBoogs

    JJBoogs New Member

    Willamette...
    Joined:
    Mar 3, 2015
    Messages:
    6
    Hi Frank. Congrats on completing your seat project! It looks great. I'm still searching for a back seat for my '55 CJ5.
     
  7. Sep 10, 2018
    jeep2003

    jeep2003 Well-Known Member

    Upstate NY
    Joined:
    May 30, 2006
    Messages:
    1,918
    These were in my 67 v6
     

    Attached Files:

    • 7.jpg
      7.jpg
      File size:
      35.8 KB
      Views:
      420
  8. Nov 17, 2018
    maurywhurt

    maurywhurt Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Western North...
    Joined:
    Dec 12, 2009
    Messages:
    873
    This page is from a Jeep Data Book for the 1967 model year. These books were printed by Kaiser Jeep Corp. for use by the salesmen at the dealerships.

    [​IMG]

    Here's an enlargement of the image of the seat:

    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Nov 20, 2018
  9. Nov 17, 2018
    tarry99

    tarry99 Member

    Northern California
    Joined:
    Oct 29, 2012
    Messages:
    3,784
    Not the best picture.........but 1965 original Vinyl 60/40 seating


    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Nov 17, 2018
    Hellion likes this.
  10. Nov 17, 2018
    Bowbender

    Bowbender I'm workin' on it!

    Northern Minn.
    Joined:
    Nov 14, 2014
    Messages:
    561
    My '67 seats. I can take more pics for you, let me know what you want to see.

    [​IMG] [​IMG]
     
    maurywhurt likes this.
  11. Nov 19, 2018
    maurywhurt

    maurywhurt Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Western North...
    Joined:
    Dec 12, 2009
    Messages:
    873
    Here's a pair of original seats reportedly out of a '66:

    [​IMG]
     
  12. Nov 20, 2018
    Bowbender

    Bowbender I'm workin' on it!

    Northern Minn.
    Joined:
    Nov 14, 2014
    Messages:
    561
    Looks like Mine too, I'd say that's the look your after. As has been said, you may end up with stitched seams if you have a shop do it.
     
  13. Nov 20, 2018
    maurywhurt

    maurywhurt Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Western North...
    Joined:
    Dec 12, 2009
    Messages:
    873
    Thanks, and yep, that is the plan. The local shop I'm having restore the seats has the replacement foam pieces made and installed now (on and around the parts with original foam that's being reused, since it's cast around the springs). They're about to start work on the covers, and having your and the other photos as examples is very helpful to them in coming up with new (stitched seam) versions to match the originals as closely as possible.

    I'll start a new thread including pictures of that process when they're done.

    Thanks again!
     
    Last edited: Nov 20, 2018
    Bowbender likes this.
  14. Nov 21, 2018
    maurywhurt

    maurywhurt Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Western North...
    Joined:
    Dec 12, 2009
    Messages:
    873
    Here's an original set from a '66 Tux in nice condition:

    [​IMG]
     
    Bowbender likes this.
  15. Dec 7, 2018
    truckee4x4

    truckee4x4 Grant Kaye 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Truckee CA
    Joined:
    May 30, 2008
    Messages:
    1,322
    Keep us posted Maury - I'd love to know the cost too as I got some estimates from some shops down in Reno to restore my seats (66 CJ5 Tux IV) which are in about the same condition as yours were (under seat covers):
    Photo Jul 09, 6 09 03 PM.jpg
    And I think the backseat appears to have been re-upholstered, as the diamond pattern doesn't match any of the above pics.
     
New Posts