Body / Glass: Chrysler Sebring Convertible Front Seats

[JoeHall]

A couple of years ago, I bought a set of these seats off ebay, to put in the wife's car. They did not look near as good upon arrival as they did in the ebay pix. In short, they needed to be recovered, so I just never got round to it. Yesterday, in interest of safety and comfort for the boys in an upcoming trip, I installed the passenger side in the 62GT. Went to FLAPS and bought a cheapie cover for it, for now.

I/we tried it out and love it. It sits very comfortably, and adjusts easily, and the headrest & shoulder strap seat belt are as good as it gets, safety-wise.

Hmm, guess now I have another project to do before leaving on the trip next Friday, gotta install the drivers side too

Will get round to getting them recovered professionally later.

[Timj]

I was thinking of trying this swap as well. I did find important information about the electronics that are required to make sure the seat belts operate correctly, on this site http://www.corvairkid.com/sebring.htm .

[JoeHall]

I was thinking of trying this swap as well. I did find important information about the electronics that are required to make sure the seat belts operate correctly, on this site http://www.corvairkid.com/sebring.htm .

I am concerned about the electronics on the driver's side too. The passenger side was w/o anything electronic, and very simple to mount. But I'm afraid the driver's side is gonna be a whole nother story.

I chose Sebring seats after seeing the ones in Pat D's beautiful 53 coupe. Pat advised getting 2001 and later, due to simpler electronics, so the ones I picked up are 2003 IIRC. I initially thought the only electronics' challenge was the 6-way switching, but it looks like seat belts are also in the mix. Guess I will find out this weekend.

Thanks,
Joe

[DEEPNHOCK]

I am pretty sure Sheba has those seats, too....

[BShaw]

I was investigating those seats as well a while back. Actually found a 1996 pair in a junk yard for $60! However, when I went for a look, found that the top was gone on the car and the fabric seats had been exposed to the elements for several years. I should have brought some butter and jam with me cuz they were toast!

Still, I remain intrigued with those seats and am looking for another pair at a decent price. Would love to see a pic of them in a C/K.

[Pat Dilling]

I have had them in my 53 for about 5 years now and am very happy with them. I have taken several long trips and they are comfortable even after a full day on the road. As Joe mentioned, the later model seats, after about 2001, do not need the separate inertia module that is described in the Corvair Kid article. They definitely lock up as they are supposed to. The only power required is to operate the driver's power seat. For safety I do recommend reinforcing the floor where you mount the seats as it has to be strong enough to hold your weight under G forces just like a seat belt does. I used steel plate and seat belt anchors. You may also have to build some bracketry for the rear inside mounts if you have still have foot wells. As for upholstering, I wish I had my guy cut the headrests down by about half as well as the top of the seat belt "tower". As original, they do block the view for the back seat passengers. My center armrest/console is from a late 90s Ford Taurus or Mercury Sable.



Foot well brackets.

[swvalcon]

Joe the wiring shouldn't be that hard. Just a couple wires under the carpet from the fuss box to the seats. Some of the stuff on the seats you dont need. I think theres one under the seat bottom that trips the light on the dash if you dont buckle your seat belt that you dont need.

[sweetolbob]

Joe the wiring shouldn't be that hard. Just a couple wires under the carpet from the fuss box to the seats. Some of the stuff on the seats you dont need. I think theres one under the seat bottom that trips the light on the dash if you dont buckle your seat belt that you dont need.

Agree as long as the seats have the controls mounted on the seats not the console nor door. I always take any harness connections that go to the seats and then find the wiring diagram either on line or in the local Public Library.

[JoeHall]

Thanks Pat, I was hoping you'd drop in. After looking at the driver's side, the seat belt is not electrically influenced in any way. It is strictly controlled by an "inertia latch" as is the passenger side. Am confident I can handle the 6-way power-switch wiring without much problem. Sure glad I listened to you in getting the correct year of seats

Mounting the passenger side was fairly easy, and the seat straddled the heater core just about perfectly. With a few pieces of 1 1/2" x 1 1/2" angle iron, I was able to tie in to the existing mounts, and added the (1961 & later) OEM seat belt mount on the outboard side. Used factory size, 5/16" mounting bolts, for the OEM mounts. The extra (third) mount point on the outboard rail, provided by the seat belt mount, uses a 7/16" bolt.

The carpet flips over most of the angle iron. When the seats are removed later for reupholstering, will also paint the angle iron red, for better blend in.

Now, just gotta get my butt out in the garage and install the driver's side today.

[4961Studebaker]

I tore down some Envoy seats this past week I'll get some photos uploaded. It has an electric lock on the belt retractor with a sticker saying EXPLOSIVE MATERIAL WITHIN.

! I'm researching this. I'm assuming in the event of a crash these belts REVERSE and tighten up in milliseconds in order to restrain you better. I recall Volvo or Mercedes pioneering this??


All in all a simplistic plastic shoot to guide the belt up to your shoulder (just within the seat back)

[Pat Dilling]

I tore down some Envoy seats this past week I'll get some photos uploaded. It has an electric lock on the belt retractor with a sticker saying EXPLOSIVE MATERIAL WITHIN.

! I'm researching this. I'm assuming in the event of a crash these belts REVERSE and tighten up in milliseconds in order to restrain you better. I recall Volvo or Mercedes pioneering this??


All in all a simplistic plastic shoot to guide the belt up to your shoulder (just within the seat back)

I wonder if there is an air bag within the seat cushion? That would explain the explosive part.

Glad to help Joe.

[sweetolbob]

I wonder if there is an air bag within the seat cushion? That would explain the explosive part.

Glad to help Joe.

The explosive charge is in the retractor to take up slack and is fired when the air bag circuit energizes.

Bob

[5brown1]

I am think of putting bucket seats in the Speedster and having them recovered to match the original interior as I do not like the feel of the bench seat. I would like seats which look period correct - no high back. My search turned up 60's Mercedes seats. What have others used? Installation problems? Pictures?

[JoeHall]

I am think of putting bucket seats in the Speedster and having them recovered to match the original interior as I do not like the feel of the bench seat. I would like seats which look period correct - no high back. My search turned up 60's Mercedes seats. What have others used? Installation problems? Pictures?

That is one reason I've had more fun with GTs than 56Js (fun measured by miles driven). With a GT, I don't think twice about modifying or installing whatever seems like a good idea, i.e. these seats. With the 56J, I am OK with things that are pretty much invisible, i.e. HD suspension and cooling system components, radial tires, disc brakes, etc. But paint scheme and interior components I am much more picky about. I cannot think of any seat, except a 56J seat,I'd have in a 56J. Actually, with memory foam installed, my 56J seat is very comfortable. But I agree a modern seat would be safer and more convenient, when it comes to easy adjust ability.

I'd probably be just as picky with a Speedster as 56J, if Speedsters were my thing

[Gunslinger]

You have an option for bucket seats though not exactly CASO friendly. You can buy new bucket seats in a variety of styles from Procar. They also sell universal seat brackets to make them fit nearly anything. They're available through Summit Racing and other retailers and usually come in vinyl that can left as-is or recovered in whatever color/fabric/leather you want. Summit Racing also sells their own line of bucket seats.

I'm not saying this is the answer for everyone but it is an option. http://procarbyscat.com