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> I'm gonna try and build my own Sport Seats, because why not?
tygaboy
post Aug 4 2021, 03:19 PM
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I have a set of GTS Classic LeMans seats but wanted more upper torso support during spirited driving.
I bought these Renegade seats but really don't like the look of the head rests or how they shaped the bolsters. Don't get me wrong, these are both great sets of seats (and may all be for sale) but I want the best of both worlds.

So, rather than mess with these, I figured I may as well try and make my own.

The plan is to start with the stock "frame", build up the bolster area, lop off the head rest section and work out some sort of separate headrest.

As you'll see, the donor seats are pretty trashed so I don't feel too badly about cutting them up. Sorta like the rest of my build!

I'll post as I go. Let's start with pics of the LeMans (black w/grommets and their oval head rest) and Renegade seats (in the classic 'Tan & Tweed!)


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rjames
post Aug 4 2021, 03:23 PM
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(IMG:style_emoticons/default/popcorn[1].gif)
Watching with interest as I have a spare pair of seats I've been planning on rebuilding and adding bolsters to. Thanks for documenting your build.
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tygaboy
post Aug 4 2021, 03:25 PM
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Stocker, pre surgery


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tygaboy
post Aug 4 2021, 03:29 PM
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I did my best to carefully remove the upholstery and foam since my upholsterer may find the parts helpful in pattern making.

And here's proof that EVEN THE SEATS RUST! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/av-943.gif)


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tygaboy
post Aug 4 2021, 03:31 PM
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Hey Porsche, nice job getting the foam pieces in there correctly. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/poke.gif)

(OK, maybe that one piece somehow moved over the past 50+ years. But I dunno, it was still glued on there pretty well...)


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BIGKAT_83
post Aug 4 2021, 03:31 PM
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Did one 20 years ago. Even sewed up the covers.
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tygaboy
post Aug 4 2021, 03:32 PM
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First frame, ready for the hacking up to begin.


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914werke
post Aug 4 2021, 03:33 PM
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(IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) Ive wanted to find the time to do this myself. Watching.
Q: why remove the headrest section?
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tygaboy
post Aug 4 2021, 03:34 PM
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QUOTE(BIGKAT_83 @ Aug 4 2021, 02:31 PM) *

Did one 20 years ago. Even sewed up the covers.
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@BIGKAT_83 Bob - of course you did! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/pray.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smilie_pokal.gif)
- Do you happen to have any pics of the frame, pre-upholstry?
- Did you just build up fiberglass to the desired shape? We need to know details!
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tygaboy
post Aug 4 2021, 03:39 PM
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QUOTE(914werke @ Aug 4 2021, 02:33 PM) *

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) Ive wanted to find the time to do this myself. Watching.
Q: why remove the headrest section?


@914werke I don't like the blocky-ness of the "all in one with the seat" stock head rest.
The separate head rest is one of the things I like most about the LeMans. The interior just looks "lighter" and less crowded with the separate head rest. In the end, I think it's just a personal taste thing.
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roblav1
post Aug 4 2021, 05:55 PM
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Cool thread. I always saw the bare seats as a great base to build up a personal fitting driver's seat. Put 1" of foam in the bottom of a really big trash bag, fill it with liquid mixed 2 part foam, then sit on the bag on the seat frame. The foam will get hot and expand like crazy and form fit around your butt. Then trim and cover in vinyl. Voila...
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rjames
post Aug 4 2021, 06:24 PM
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QUOTE(roblav1 @ Aug 4 2021, 04:55 PM) *

Cool thread. I always saw the bare seats as a great base to build up a personal fitting driver's seat. Put 1" of foam in the bottom of a really big trash bag, fill it with liquid mixed 2 part foam, then sit on the bag on the seat frame. The foam will get hot and expand like crazy and form fit around your butt. Then trim and cover in vinyl. Voila...


(IMG:style_emoticons/default/blink.gif)
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914sgofast2
post Aug 4 2021, 06:33 PM
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How limber and/or thin are you? The higher bolsters on sports seats make it more difficult to get your legs under a stock sized steering wheel, as as more difficult to get up and out of the seat. As 70 years fast approaches, my physical ability to easily get in and out of my 914 is diminishing.
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Chris914n6
post Aug 4 2021, 08:55 PM
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The bolsters are aluminum sheet cut to shape and riveted/bolted to the fiberglass. Thick enough not too bend easy but thin enough that they could be "shaped" for wider or narrower folks. The upholsterer handled the new foam. Inserts are stock 914 so you can use a 914rubber tartan kit.

Be careful about getting too high on the drivers side or you'll rub on the steering wheel getting in & out. I think I basically doubled the fiberglass height.

I think when the bottom pad was constructed it was flattened an inch, but that will also change the arch in the back. Felt better for me because I'm 6'0 but YMMV.

Fiberglass isn't going to be strong enough to take the impact of a 11lb noggin against a separate headrest attached by 2 steel rods unless you add a significant steel support structure. In other words I wouldn't bother with it.
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ValcoOscar
post Aug 4 2021, 09:08 PM
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Great idea Chris

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/popcorn[1].gif)

Here are the seats going into Chucky.
Stock 914 seats with built up bolster sides.


I like the removable head rest idea.

Oscar

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TRS63
post Aug 5 2021, 12:27 AM
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Now this thread got direct in my "subscription" list as I also have the same project. The examples in the last post are awesome! Looking forward to see more and how you do it !
(by the way, love the idea with the foam getting the exact size of my butt, but as I am not tall/quite thin, it might avoid that anybody else can drive my car (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif))

Antoine
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ConeDodger
post Aug 5 2021, 07:15 AM
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Chris,
One of your neighbors over in Napa, Trekkor, did this about 10 or so years back. It looked terrible but his car is a track car so I’m sure looks weren’t high on the priority list. He has a tile company called Trekkor Wills tile. When I have more time I can search for how he did it.
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Shivers
post Aug 5 2021, 07:28 AM
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QUOTE(ConeDodger @ Aug 5 2021, 06:15 AM) *

Chris,
One of your neighbors over in Napa, Trekkor, did this about 10 or so years back. It looked terrible but his car is a track car so I’m sure looks weren’t high on the priority list. He has a tile company called Trekkor Wills tile. When I have more time I can search for how he did it.


http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?sho...28&hl=seats

@ConeDodger @tygaboy
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tygaboy
post Aug 5 2021, 08:56 AM
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QUOTE(Shivers @ Aug 5 2021, 06:28 AM) *

QUOTE(ConeDodger @ Aug 5 2021, 06:15 AM) *

Chris,
One of your neighbors over in Napa, Trekkor, did this about 10 or so years back. It looked terrible but his car is a track car so I’m sure looks weren’t high on the priority list. He has a tile company called Trekkor Wills tile. When I have more time I can search for how he did it.


http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?sho...28&hl=seats

@ConeDodger @tygaboy


@Shivers @ConeDodger Thanks guys! Those pics really help.
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mate914
post Aug 5 2021, 01:52 PM
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QUOTE(roblav1 @ Aug 4 2021, 07:55 PM) *

Cool thread. I always saw the bare seats as a great base to build up a personal fitting driver's seat. Put 1" of foam in the bottom of a really big trash bag, fill it with liquid mixed 2 part foam, then sit on the bag on the seat frame. The foam will get hot and expand like crazy and form fit around your butt. Then trim and cover in vinyl. Voila...



Say What! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blink.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blink.gif) I need this done for both but and back.
Where do you get the stuff?


Matt
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