Seat covers?

[jimrockford]

I'm trying to find a seat cover in white for the front bench seat in a 77 S. Not re-upholstering, but a slipcover that goes over the existing material. I can find bench seat covers in other colors, but not white, and I can find white for a smaller, modern pickup, which is too small. I already tried Bell seat covers (I see their products everywhere). Ideas?

[ragz442]

I've heard not so good things about JCWhitney but the last catalog I seen had a lot of different seat covers.

[jimrockford]

OK, dudes, after a great deal of searching, I found 2 seat covers that will fit. The colors might be off a bit, and the color scheme not quite to my liking, but the bigger problem is THEY'RE MADE IN CHINA! Is there a seat cover company that manufactures in the USA? I hope I'm not setting off a political powder keg here, but I would prefer to buy American (I know, I know, we did this to ourselves).

SO- recommendations?

[texxas8902]

The price difference in buying seat covers made in China by 8 year old Wang or India by or 10 year old Hajee and having the seat recovered in America by 48 year old Gary just isn't that big. I just had the bench seat in an 83 Dodge 4X4 truck covered in vinyl, in the original pattern and grain with a fully covered back side for $150 including tax out the door. It looks factory. Why use crappy quality seat covers? The only time I do is when I'm reselling a car with thrashed seats and I use the $19.99 covers that probably last about 2 months. By that time it's not my problem. Decent bench seat covers are about $79. I know money can be tight sometimes but which option will really cost less in the long run? Cheap seat covers are no more than a band-aid. If you're trying to protect the original seat upholstery because it is still good and still want the original color and look to show, check JC Whitney and get some of those "old man" clear plastic covers like they used in the 50s and 60s.:D
I just got prices today for doing the swivel buckets in my 76 442. With me supplying the material for the cloth inserts the trim shop wants $350 a seat. Damn, I know swivel buckets are a pain to recover but sometimes a bench wouldn't be so bad, at least when it's time to pay the trim shop guy. I'll be saving awhile to get that money.

[zodiacblue442]

Don't apologize for wanting to by something Made in the USA. It's getting harder to find products made in this country. :mad: We've all been to the stores where it seems like everything on the shelves has a made in China sticker or tag on it. I buy "Made in USA" or at least Made in Canada whenever possible.

Now... on to your question. I don't know where these were made, but check out the upholstery kits at http://www.1aauto.com/1A/SeatUpholstery/Oldsmobile/CutlassSupremeRWD/-/-/3

They have both bench seat and swivel bucket seat upholstery kits for `73-`77 Cutlass. Just do some checking before you order. The website lists they're made to original specs. I was looking at some of the pics of the upholstery kits and some have an Olds Cutlass pattern, and others have a Chevelle pattern, but they're listed as fitting Olds. The price doesn't seem that outrageous either. Like I said though, I've never seen their products so I don't know how well they fit, how well they're sewn together, the quality of the vinyl, etc. Just thought I'd throw this out there for a lead. May be something to investigate.

Good luck.

[Stocker]

Can't speak for the newest stuff, but my grandpa had a saddle blanket seat cover in the '87 F-250 he bought new, and that cover was still holding up when he got rid of the truck.
Probably came from Fleet Farm, but I'd guess it's the same stuff that JC Whitney has.

I was thinking about getting a set from JC Whitney to protect the near-perfect cloth in the Cutlass but the last thing I ordered from them (a few months ago) was never even charged to my account (but they can still manage to e-mail me every week with 15% off deals :rolleyes: )

[73431Cutlass]

I am looking into some seat covers for my 73 sson. I found a place called Custom Interiors that make covers for our cars. I dont think the will make it to the original specs and pattern but you could always ask. I have a buddy who used them for his 68 and 72 Chevelle a few yrs back. So far they are holding up and looking good, granted he doesnt drive them a lot. Decent prices too. I have an older catalogue which doesnt list a web site so here is there info:
Custom Interiors
P.O. box 51174
Indian Orchard, MA. 01151
1-800-423-6053
Mon-Fri 8am to 6pm EST.

[77 Cutlass]

http://www.onlineupholsteryandmore.com/charts.asp
Don't know much about them. I found them originally on ebay, I believe.