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Posted by: 73Euro911S Apr 14 2011, 11:15 PM

Ok, I'm just exploring some options here. I'm thinking about replacing the factory seats in my 73 for something a bit more comfortable and with more lateral support. My car will be 50/50 street/track. The street driving won't be commute type driving, it will be weekend fun driving and the track time will be local AX and DE type events, so not too hard core. I will save the seats and back-pad, don't worry.

I'd like a period correct look as well. Do Recaro LX seats from the 80's fit? Anybody here use those? What else? Please give me some ideas.

Thanks in advance.

Nick

Posted by: nsr-jamie Apr 15 2011, 04:29 AM

I like the GTS seats from Camp 914. I really wanted to order them but ran out of cash on other things....someday I will have them...but recently I kind of like the stock seats again and was thinking of getting them recovered with corduroy inserts.

Posted by: mepstein Apr 15 2011, 06:12 AM

GTS LeMans seat. Made to fit a 914. Camp 914 will get my order soon. mark

Posted by: nsr-jamie Apr 15 2011, 06:19 AM

There are other seats too. I have seen some on Ebay...and than there are seats from Renegade Hybrids with their logo in it, as well as GT type one from Auto Atlanta and used ones to fit the 914 from Koenig and I also believe Recaro made some limited edition runs many years ago but are rare. Personally I like the GTS Lemans seats in leather/corduroy but can not afford right now. Need to win the lottery first and than go on a big shopping spree with all of our favorite suppliers. Cheers!!

Posted by: jim_hoyland Apr 15 2011, 06:54 AM

I bought the GTS L Mans seats from Stephan in Texas. Had mine done in leather and seat heaters. Been in the car 3 years now and really snug and comfy. The seat bottoms are hung; the original 914 seats sit on the FG shell; you can say goodbye to the butt-aches with these incredibly confortable seats.

See: http://classiccarseats.com/




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Posted by: turboman808 Apr 15 2011, 08:34 AM

Man I have been putting off getting these seats for years. But not this time. Come hell or high water I will order these next month.

Posted by: MoveQik Apr 15 2011, 08:40 AM

Factory seats with the bolsters built up and double stitched.



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Posted by: pktzygt Apr 15 2011, 08:42 AM

Jim, you're braver than I with all that beige, but it looks great.

I'd love to have those GTS seats eventually. For now I'm going to plan on stock seats with a 4 point harness and a carpeted back firewall with the stock belts still installed for driving on the street.

I have been toying with the idea of building bolsters on a spare seat to see how it turns out.

Posted by: 73Euro911S Apr 15 2011, 08:43 AM

Thanks, Stephan does nice work, and I know the GTS seats can be spec'ed to include a sub belt. Also, they allow you to leave in the center console and back pad so I wouldn't not have to re- do the entire interior so those seats are likely the most cost effective option.

I do like those vintage Recaro LX seats though. I will get some measurements but I suspect they be will too wide.

http://images.craigslist.org/3k23m33la5Q15W35P6b4b44d8a893ef4911f9.jpg

Posted by: carr914 Apr 15 2011, 09:06 AM

Take the Stock Seat, Remove the Bottom Cushion, Take a Bread Knife ( Or Electric Turkey Knife) and slice about half the foam away. ReGlue the Vinyl and you're done.

You will have a seat that will grip your hips for no cost

Posted by: Bartlett 914 Apr 15 2011, 09:22 AM

I am using a Scheel (sp?) seat. It has cosmetic issues but soooo comfortable. I have nearly 5k miles in the last 30 days in my car. I could not have done it in a stock seat.

Posted by: jim912928 Apr 15 2011, 09:41 AM

I found a used set of Konig's that were made for the 914....wouldn't trade them for anything! Not a great pic but the only one I have on this pc...i can post a better one tonight.

Posted by: andys Apr 15 2011, 10:10 AM

Michael,

I'm curious how the bolsters were built up since I've seen or read about a couple of different approaches. Did you do the bolsters yourself beforehand? (Or) Did you have an upholstery shop do all the work? I'm trying to decide between modifying stock seats, or purchasing the GTS's so I'm wondering what it cost you to have all the work done.

Thanks,

Andys

Posted by: jim_hoyland Apr 15 2011, 11:57 AM

See: http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?showtopic=104658&hl=seat+bolsters

There are some pics of improved bosters made from copper pipe. I remember Steve Grider ( aka Ahdoman) make some of these too. They really come out nice

Posted by: jim912928 Apr 15 2011, 12:21 PM

not affiliated..but you'll get the idea of the Konig's....one on ebay now in black:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Porsche-914-Racing-Seat-Konig-Ultra-Light- _W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem588855b5d8QQitemZ380244440536QQptZVintageQ5fCarQ5fTr
uckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories#ht_500wt_975

and another one in factory brown:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Porsche-914-factory-Koenig-racing-seat-nice- _W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem4cf605baa3QQitemZ330545085091QQptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTru
ckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories#ht_614wt_732

Posted by: Drums66 Apr 15 2011, 12:44 PM

......These are cool(no hot seat!)

Posted by: RFoulds Apr 15 2011, 12:52 PM

the GTS L Mans seats from Stephan in Texas.

That is the nicest 914 seat I have ever seen. LOVE that it is sprung! Don't need heat here in SoCal though...

Posted by: 73Euro911S Apr 15 2011, 06:36 PM

Thanks everyone. I will check the GTS, Recaro LX and LS, and Koenig options as replacements. I'm also going to see about recovering the original seat inserts in corduroy to provide some grip and lose some slip! I'm close to Tony Garcia at Autobahn Interiors so maybe he will have an idea or two for beefing up the bolsters.

Nick

Posted by: eric9144 Apr 15 2011, 07:02 PM

Here's a pic of my Konig seats in my 914 (sorry for bad pic) These are the ones w/o cloth inserts, IMO a little closer to the stock look. The big difference between these and the other options is the amount of padding they've worked into them without causing you to sit high in the car. These aren't for fat guys, more than a 34" waist or so and you will be quite pinched. I've had them for years and love them!

Posted by: 76-914 Apr 15 2011, 07:06 PM

Hey Mike, I like your seats. Minimal and very 914. They look like they might have been a factor upgrade.. How much did that cost?

Posted by: AZ914 Apr 15 2011, 07:57 PM

I'm really considering the GTS Nurburgring seats. They look like the LeMans, but a shade wider, and the bolsters aren't quite as high.

I sat in SOCALANDY's Konig's and although they look outstanding, they were a little tight on my upper back. The Nurburgring seats have the lateral hip support but are more open up top. Just my .02

Posted by: PRS914-6 Apr 15 2011, 08:22 PM

GTS Nurburgring seats..... I love mine. A little wider and taller and require custom seat brackets. I mounted mine on 911 ball bearing sliders....do a search

I would NOT get the black corduroy. Mine are fading to a gold/brown color and they aren't that old and the car is always covered. I'm already dying them.

Posted by: Steve Apr 15 2011, 08:29 PM

GTS seats are awesome!! I have the Lemans leather seat. Just like a pair of shoes, you need to sit in the seat to make sure it fits right. The Lemans seat is a little tight, but fits nicely into the backpad and uses the stock brackets. I have a 32" waist and barely fit. If you have a bigger I would recommend one of there other seats.

Posted by: AZ914 Apr 15 2011, 08:49 PM

Paul, that is a bummer to hear about the fading. I was definitely thinking the corduroy would be the way to go as I don't want a vinyl type surface. I know Stefan can do custom inserts, perhaps a black tweed would be nice.

Posted by: Steve Apr 15 2011, 08:53 PM

I got the leather option and so far I am quite happy. I think i bought it about 3 years ago.

Posted by: 73Euro911S Apr 16 2011, 06:32 PM

Seat update: I sourced an old Recaro brochure that had seat dimension for their LK, LX and SR seats. All 3 seats are 34" overall height, the base width is 21" (LX) and 22" (LK, SR) and depth of 18.5" (LX), 19.5 (LK) 20.9" (SR).

It seems like the LX and LS will work if whatever mounting bases don't raise the seat height too much but the back pad will need to removed regardless. The center cushion is also in the way so that goes too. E brake function could also be compromised, darn I like the old school look of these, but I see several issues that make this option too complicated and expensive.

I think I'll be calling Stephan next week.

Nick

Posted by: jim912928 Apr 16 2011, 08:11 PM

Finally got around to scrounging up a good pic of my Konigs....these are great seats if you can find them...made for the 914...come with the seat rails already on...just slide them in...fit the backpad...brake lever works....and you stick in them like glue!

Posted by: carr914 Apr 17 2011, 05:15 PM

Here are my Factory Recaros

Posted by: r_towle Apr 17 2011, 06:36 PM

Hi,

What is your waist size and what is your opinion on the fit.
also, what year and how does the ebrake work with those seats?

Rich

Posted by: jim_hoyland Apr 17 2011, 07:19 PM

[/quote]
Hi,

What is your waist size and what is your opinion on the fit.
also, what year and how does the ebrake work with those seats?

Rich
[/quote]

Waist 34 35. The fit is just right, holds me in but doesn't pinch like some of the seats with high bolsters. Installed in my '75, no conflict with the ebrake.

Posted by: PRS914-6 Apr 17 2011, 11:47 PM

Here you can see the fading in the corduroy that I mentioned in my post above. Compare the colors....Only 6k miles

Posted by: carr914 Apr 18 2011, 04:53 AM

I had a pair of those as well, The Drivers Seat faded to brown

T.C.

Posted by: AZ914 Apr 18 2011, 07:42 AM

Thanks for the pic.. (mental note.. don't get the corduroy)

Posted by: r_towle Apr 23 2011, 07:19 PM

So, when you use houndstooth for the seats, what do you do with the door panels?

Rich

Posted by: MikeInMunich Feb 1 2014, 04:30 PM

Very cool thread here gentlemen. Looking for a pair of seats and like the OEM sport seat and especially the Koenig seats from Eric. Eric, might you have a model number on those you could share with me?

If anybody knows of any for sale I'm interested. Have black and brown stock seats in great condition to throw into a deal. Need them in SoCal.

Thanks!

Mike in Munich

Posted by: SKL1 Feb 1 2014, 08:37 PM

In the old days when I autocrossed the silver car, I'd take out the lower cushion and sit on a folded up towel and get a lot of extra side support. The idea above of thinning the bottom cushion would work, but probably not be real comfortable for a long trip. But realistically, how many of us go on long trips anymore in the 914? (Back in the day, I'd think nothing of driving from Iowa to Daytona for the 24 hour race though...)

When redoing the seats in my '73, I went with gray Alcantara to avoid having black seat cushions if the sits out in the sun at all...

Posted by: barefoot Feb 2 2014, 08:49 AM

Beware, some nice Porsche seats are WAY too tall for a 914.
When i got mine, it had these nice looking Porsche seats but I couldn't get my head under the top or legs under the steering wheel. had to get rid of them and go back to stock. They were also so wide that the handbrake had to go !!

Posted by: r_towle Feb 2 2014, 09:23 AM

Houndstooth on the door panels???

Posted by: Java2570 Feb 2 2014, 09:46 AM

I just ordered a GTS LeMans seat from Craig @ Camp914 to replace my driver's seat.
I've found that even in short trips of spirited driving, I slide around too much in the stock seats...I can't imagine that they would be all that comfortable for long distances.
I'm about a 33-34" waist so I think the GTS will be a great fit and it drops right into the 914 interior without fuss or mods. I'm hoping it will improve the driving pleasure....maybe next year I'll get one for the passenger side. Jon

Posted by: monkeyboy Feb 3 2014, 09:54 AM

I am running the Watkins Glen from GTS classics. I love them so far.

Just understand that these seats are made to order. They aren't on a shelf, and you will have to wait for them.

Posted by: GTS Feb 6 2014, 05:58 PM

Hi Guys, we also have the Watkins Glen for the more track and canyon carvers.....others have installed the Sebring like in the GT's or the Rallye into their cars.Last picture is of the Monza with a driver in it for comparison.



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Posted by: mgp4591 Feb 6 2014, 06:07 PM

Looks like Walter Mitty to me...

Posted by: r_towle Feb 6 2014, 06:32 PM

Any suggestions based upon waist size?

I like all of them.

Posted by: BuddyV Feb 6 2014, 07:46 PM

.... thought I was the only one who tried that. Nice.

Posted by: ClayPerrine Feb 7 2014, 11:04 PM

The Koenig 914 seats are nice, I had a set. I replaced them with stock seats because I couldn't see out of the car with them.



http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?showtopic=48342&hl=

Posted by: nsr-jamie Feb 23 2014, 11:58 PM

Are the GTS seats made in the USA? Look very nice to me...I did not know so many colors were avaiable....I was going to go with black leather with the corduroy but after hearing what happened to another owner with fading so early it might be better to go with another option like suede or maybe even Alcantara.....that would be nice !!

Posted by: CptTripps Feb 24 2014, 04:56 AM

I'm trying to find someone that can modify the stock seats like this.

Stripping the old seats and then adding padding cubes like the old Recaros would be real cool.

I also have 4-Yards of Alcantara for this, and a few other pieces of the interior.

Posted by: seanery Aug 11 2018, 10:39 AM

This is an interesting thought. Did you have any luck with it?

Posted by: seanery Aug 12 2018, 05:53 PM

Stefan sent this to me earlier today, I think this is just right! GTS Hockenheim in houndstooth!


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