Corrado seat install in a Mk1 (long)

[gforbess at attglobal.net (Gordon Forbess)]

I got lots of opinions when I asked about this, so when the
opportunity to check out a set locally and test fit them, I jumped.

The seats are the cloth/vinyl variety from a G60.  The seat belt
system, which I didn't need, detached easily with a 17mm wrench.  It
was encouraging to see that the plastic sliders for the rail were
exactly the same part as my 75 seats.  Because the mounting points
(not removable) for the belts also run in the rail, the Corrado seats
go in from the front, not from the back as my original seats did.

Biggest difference is the center rail.  Same design, but heavier metal
and at a slightly different "angle of attack" which required
application of a pipe wrench to align the center mounting point on the
body.  Also, the holes in the rail for the pin that secures the seat
at the desired distance from the wheel need to be elongated down about
3/16 inch so the pin will pass through it.  Since only I and
(occasionally) my wife drive the car, I picked two appropriate holes
and left the others alone.  The adjustment mechanism which pulls the
pin back to slide the seat is the same - plug and play on that.

One other difference regarding the rail is the Corrado seats had a
small metal piece attached to the bottom surface of the rail at the
very front.  My 75 seats do not have this.  It made it impossible to
put the seat into the front mounting point.  No problem when the
seller is a Marine and we were at Miramar NAS auto shop.  Air tools
and a cutting wheel took care of those in a hurry.

I just finished the final tweaks and have them in the car.  I am
impressed with how good the seats are compared to the originals.  The
side bolsters are impressive and the adjustable height feature is neat
- still playing with that looking for the perfect combination with the
back rest tilt.

The major concern I had was whether I would wear out the headliner
because the seats would be too high or have to join the lowrider club
and not see over the steering wheel.  Answer was:  I can do both.  The
highest notch puts my head against the roof.  The lowest puts my butt
on the floor.  The two in between are very close to perfect.

I have to add a small nylon slide in the center mounting point to
correct a very small forward-reverse rock, but it's barely noticeable.
I have some upholstery work to get done on a few vinyl panels and then
new cloth inserts for both front and rear seats.  Seriously
considering a retro plaid..



  
Gordon

75 Mk I/Drake 1.9
http://pws.prserv.net/gforbess/scirocco/scirocco.htm