I believe overall comfort is critical in a Stude; seating comfort is at top of the list, and the drivers seat is at the top of the top of that list. Unfortunately, the driver's seat is usually the most worn and dilapidated, especially the bottom cushioning. It is also hard to replicate the factory shape & form, which is maintained by the cushioning underneath. About six months ago, I found myself studying other cars' seat cushions to see if there was something close enough to simply install under the Stude's seat cover. After looking at a million pix on ebay ads, it appeared the Mercedes' 1986-1992, "124 chassis" seat cushions were close in size & shape. Further, they are very well made, and have a woven "horsehair" bottom, that maintains support and structure. They are also inter-changeable from left to right, so instead of using a well worn driver's seat bottom, the often like new passenger side can be used on the driver side.
So I took a chance, and bought a passenger side cushion bottom for $25 off ebay, for the driver's seat on our 63 GT Hawk. When it arrived, it was like new, and when set on top of the OEM GT Hawk seat, it looked like it was specially made to insert below the cover. So I removed the cover, discarded all the Stude stuffing, and set the Mercedes seat cushion in place, directly on top of the spring frame. I then re-hog-ringed the cover in place.
The results have been astounding: before, I was proud of the driver's seat in the other GT, I had used "memory foam" on. It is indeed comfortable, but lost most of its OEM shape, and looked more like an overstuffed pillow. With the Mercedes' setup, it sits firmer than the memory foamed seat, but a very comfortable firm, that remains comfortable several hours later. It has a shape and form near identical to Stude OEM.
I liked the Mercedes seat so much, I have since snagged another one off ebay, and plan to find time during the Holidays to install in it the other GT, replacing the memory foam.
So I took a chance, and bought a passenger side cushion bottom for $25 off ebay, for the driver's seat on our 63 GT Hawk. When it arrived, it was like new, and when set on top of the OEM GT Hawk seat, it looked like it was specially made to insert below the cover. So I removed the cover, discarded all the Stude stuffing, and set the Mercedes seat cushion in place, directly on top of the spring frame. I then re-hog-ringed the cover in place.
The results have been astounding: before, I was proud of the driver's seat in the other GT, I had used "memory foam" on. It is indeed comfortable, but lost most of its OEM shape, and looked more like an overstuffed pillow. With the Mercedes' setup, it sits firmer than the memory foamed seat, but a very comfortable firm, that remains comfortable several hours later. It has a shape and form near identical to Stude OEM.
I liked the Mercedes seat so much, I have since snagged another one off ebay, and plan to find time during the Holidays to install in it the other GT, replacing the memory foam.
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