I'm about to purchase new seat covers for front (buckets) and rear seat in my 67. Are they all pretty much the same, as far as quality, appearance and ease of (or lack of) installation?

I bought new bucket foams from Ground Up a while back, Rear foam looks ok

NO
GO Legendary

Thanks Dean. They must be good, about twice the price of the ones at GroundUp (from what I remember - can't find them at GroundUp right now)

Probably order them today

They fit right the fisrt time,the other cover's are made by PUI and are not worth the money you will spend on them.And by the time you buy the other cover's and have someone fix them so that you can install them you would be at the same money as just buying the Legendary cover in the first place. 2 month's ago a customer brought in a set that he had tried to install,and the only thing I could reuse out of them was the insert's and they were kinda iffy.

I'd rather pay the extra than deal with the aggravation of the cheaper ones. Sure is lots of good info on these forums :yes:

I heard Distinctive Automotive covers are good. Made in the USA, I think that is the one that OPGI carries. I would think about using Legendary, however they seem to have a thing of only reproducing buckets, I guess they don't like us guys with bench seats

i order my covers from opg, they took three weeks to come and when they did come i found my the fronts came from one place in the midwest, i cant remember the guy name, but his covers are very nice. the back covers came from opg and, they sucked, one was built better with better materials, where opg looked like it came from china, opg tried to remove all the tags but i found out they came from the midwest, pui they suck

I'm waiting on the Legendary covers for my '66. I don't think they're ready for sale yet?

I ordered mine from npd, they were pui covers, they seemed to fit fine. I talked to a upholstery shop guy, he said they all need a little massaging to make it perfect. Ive read some of the horror stories, I thing maybe I got lucky. jim

Shawn, we do make the 1968-72 Chevelle bench style interiors. What year bench seat cover are you looking for? We would be glad to help you out with a new interior kit! Thanks. Eric @ Legendary Auto Interiors, Ltd.

Dean, Ground Up just started carrying our interior kits. If you call and ask them for Legendary Auto Interiors , you can purchase through them. Thanks. Eric @ Legendary Auto Interiors, Ltd.

Bill, please keep in mind that interior kits are not all made equal. Our kits are "as original" with exact grains, colors and they are guaranteed to fit. They also come with a Limited "Lifetime Warranty" . You can order direct or contact any of our great Dealers such as "Ground Up" and I know you will be happy with our interiors! Thanks. Eric @ Legendary Auto Interiors, Ltd.

Bill, please keep in mind that interior kits are not all made equal. Our kits are "as original" with exact grains, colors and they are guaranteed to fit. They also come with a Limited "Lifetime Warranty" . You can order direct or contact any of our great Dealers such as "Ground Up" and I know you will be happy with our interiors! Thanks. Eric @ Legendary Auto Interiors, Ltd.


I 100% agree with you Eric,not all kit's are created equal.I have been in Auto Trim for 19 year's now,and have used every kit on the market and by far you kit's have been the easiest to install and they fit right the first time.

Bill, please keep in mind that interior kits are not all made equal. Our kits are "as original" with exact grains, colors and they are guaranteed to fit. They also come with a Limited "Lifetime Warranty" . You can order direct or contact any of our great Dealers such as "Ground Up" and I know you will be happy with our interiors! Thanks. Eric @ Legendary Auto Interiors, Ltd.

Eric,
I checked your website, but I couldn't find any info on FINDING a dealer (just stuff for becoming a dealer).

I know you mention that we can buy direct, but I'd like to see if anybody carries your products WITH a package discount (didn't see that on your site). I will try to contact Ground Up later, as they also give a Team Chevelle discount (not sure if they do that on the interior "kits" though)...

Thanks...

Just wanted to double check here before I place my online order. This (http://legendaryautointeriors.com/webmodules/catcatalog/dtl_allcatalog.aspx?id=AA&make=G&year=67&desc=chevelle) is for a pair of bucket covers correct? Also anyone know what the discount is in the Appreciation Sale (http://legendaryautointeriors.com/webmodules/pages/Detail.aspx?PageID=69)? Oh, and are the SS seat covers different from the Malibu?

Eric, I am looking for covers for my 67 convertible, bench front seat, and convertible rear in red

Shawn my bench cover had panels replaced and was not usable as a pattern for a 67. Jason has obtained 2 or 3 more since then and the same thing......They need an all original 67 bench for the pattern. The rear for the 67 vert. is done and I believe the door panels as well.........As soon as they get a pattern they are willing to produce it. So if anyone has a good 67 Bench never been repaired or altered please contact Jason or Eric.

My vote is for legendary...I won't even go into the fiasco I had with PUI covers

I also had extremely good Luck with PUI Covers and complete interior kit.

Although mine were custom color matched so they may have had more attention than most. (or I got Lucky)

I believe alot of it has to do with the skills of your apholsterer.

Dean, Ground Up just started carrying our interior kits. If you call and ask them for Legendary Auto Interiors , you can purchase through them. Thanks. Eric @ Legendary Auto Interiors, Ltd.

I just called GroundUp about the seat covers. Seems it's not "official" until the 1st of the new year. Nothing in stock yet and no prices :(

I also had extremely good Luck with PUI Covers and complete interior kit.

Although mine were custom color matched so they may have had more attention than most. (or I got Lucky)

I believe alot of it has to do with the skills of your apholsterer.


I have done upholstery for 19 years now and I still think they (PUI) are JUNK...................

Shawn my bench cover had panels replaced and was not usable as a pattern for a 67. Jason has obtained 2 or 3 more since then and the same thing......They need an all original 67 bench for the pattern. The rear for the 67 vert. is done and I believe the door panels as well.........As soon as they get a pattern they are willing to produce it. So if anyone has a good 67 Bench never been repaired or altered please contact Jason or Eric.

Bill, my 67 interior is all original, never molested. The reason I want to change it out is, the red is faded badly, mainly from being a convertible, and there is a cigarette burn in the seat on the drivers side, and the piping where the two pieces of vinyl are sewn together on the drivers side is worn, other than that, the seat covers are 98% there. I don't have any way of getting these seat covers off and sent away to get patterned. I'm kind of surprised there are no other original 67 interiors out there.

Shawn my bench and interior appeared the same way (never molested all original) except someone laid a drop lite and burnt a hole in it. I had a local shop remove them (found another trim card) because i didn't want to screw them up and Chris @ Legendary arranged for pick up and shipping.....I was to say the least disappointed to hear 2 panels had been replace earlier in its life (quite nicely I might add). Finding seats that have not been repaired I guess is harder than I once thought. They will only pattern their new covers off of a 100% original cover to ensure quality and fit. If you remove the covers or have them done Chris will arrange for pick up and have their people make a pattern from it. Although I cant speak for them .....They had offered me a free seat cover for my effort and to use mine as a pattern.....Your cover sounds as if its in really nice shape and may be exactly what they are looking for.....Chris is a real nice guy you should give him a call if you want new cover. They are looking but have not found any other to date.....I spoke to Chris yesterday.

Just an update. I received an email from Ground Up stating that they can order the covers directly from Legendary. I ordered mine today. Hopefully they will indeed be Legendary covers and not something else. Said it would probably take a week or so

A friend who does interior work will not order from certain companies due to the poor quality. Guys who come in and have ordered their own kits give him the worst junk out their expecting miracles. If you had to put up with some of the crap and customers you would go insane from all the cheapskates.

I also had extremely good Luck with PUI Covers and complete interior kit.

Although mine were custom color matched so they may have had more attention than most. (or I got Lucky)

I believe alot of it has to do with the skills of your apholsterer.


I can tell from just looking at your pics that you have pui covers. (the pleats are flat as a board.) just like the pui crap in my car but that will change real soon.

the apholsterer cant turn crap into gold.

All of the threads I've seen with complaints on PUI Covers was that they are sewn poorly, or even flat out incorrectly and simply don't fit.

In real life, with your hands on the pleats on my seats, they're pretty decent. When I looked at the photo's, and went out to look at my car, the photo's are misleading.

There is decent detail in the pleating.

I think with Legendary, as well as PUI, that the pleat height, compared to the originals, aren't as pronounced as the original.

I have heard of comparing reproductions to originals before like "Reading brail" with your hands running over the originals.

As always however, I am open to further clarification if someone can show me otherwise.


Here is some detail on the pleating for comparison.


I'm pleased with mine. But I could be 1 in 100, or be ignorantly bliss.


I'd would say that perhaps "Look's like Crap" is slightly exaggerated in my case however.

A good apolsterer can't make a poorly sewn cover fit, but a bad apolsterer, can certainly make a good cover "look Like Crap".

Aside from your question of pleat height, I think you'd have agree that my PUI covers aren't loose or sagged and fit reasonably well.

Perhaps attributed to my Apolsterer.

Either way, I remain pleased with the outcome.


.

I think with Legendary, as well as PUI, that the pleat height, compared to the originals, aren't as pronounced as the original.
.

John,
apparently you haven't see Legendarys covers they are just as pronounced as an original. (pui is flat)

I am talking about the center section of the seat the area between waffle grain. There is four 1" to 1.5" pleats. I can see in your pic they are flat. I can also see your back seat pleats are puffed up like they should be. for some reason pui cant get the front seat pleats puffed up.

I see what your referring to now.

But certainly there must be worse issues than that to substantiate them as "crap" :D

I'm not arguing that Legendary isn't a better cover overall, just that I'm happy with the fit and finish of the PUI.

I'm certainly not an expert in Seat covers, but can tell the difference between saggy/loose and crisp/tight.

It's kind of funny beause if you read enough of these threads, you can find both complaints, and accolades for both companies.

I still think much of it stems from unskilled apholsterers.


I would say, order from whom your apholsterer prefers, he'll be more motivated to get them right if he suggests the manufacturer, and more inclined to "Give-up" if working with a cover he dosen't like.

I used PUI for my 71 and they were of very good quality. I did the install myself, with plenty of tips found on this very site, and I'm very happy with the results. It's definitely WORK, but fun when you see the first piece done. You get quite a sense of accomplishment when you've never done one before.
I'm sure Legendary is very good but the PUI kit is very good also. JMHO!

Legendaries are the best from what I have seen. The rest on the market are just seat covers. Legendaries look as good or same as originals.

One more vote for Legendary. I just finished my back seat with a Legenday kit. I picked up a very nice front seat to replace my ragged, spring popped, beat up bench. Someone had replaced the back rests with a "brand x" cover. No comparison. The Legendary panels are padded and not flat. I will eventually order Legenday for the front but other priorities are calling. Here is a picture I took comparing the 2 kits.

http://pic1.picturetrail.com/VOL1111/9909036/17945494/293250549.jpg

There is another problem with people posting that pui stuff is nice.
and to answer that, it probably is nicer then what you had, but do you know what an original interior looked like?
If not you cant give an informative comparison. All you know is it looks better than what you had.

There is another problem with people posting that pui stuff is nice.
and to answer that, it probably is nicer then what you had, but do you know what an original interior looked like?
If not you cant give an informative comparison. All you know is it looks better than what you had.

While this is probably true, and I am no expert with 1970's (mostly owned 1966s, but around alot of others too), but using Calvin's (cglomstad) comparison photos (2 posts back), the pleats/covers on the left side look TOO puffy, they look like a poor upholstery shop "custom' job... All the originals I have seen (that I recall, and other years), were a little flatter, but not quite as flat as the one the right... Even in some with rarely used rear seats going back more than 25 years... I recall with my '66 PUI's, the centers were about 1/4" or so tall...

Again I am not familiar with 1970 covers...


I am looking to get covers for my new '70 project, so I'd like to get a good quality cover that looks good... Are the '70 cover really supposed to be that "puffy"??? (as per cglomstad's picture).


Its almost one of those things where the "flatter" cover (not completely flat) looks "better" and actually looks more 'correct', if only because pretty much every original or repro I see out there doesn't have the overly-puffy covers... Even if the originals were that puffy, its going to look out-of-place to all but a few that can remamber back that far...

yes, they should be that puffy. heres pics of an original

yes, they should be that puffy. heres pics of an original

Amen

Definately looks puffier.

So then as we look at the waffle pattern on the original, and the waffle patern on both the PUI and Legendary, would you not agree that neither are as pronounced as original?

If you were focusing on the Depth of the Waffle pattern as apposed to the panel depth, you'd be stating both were crap

I would think that very experienced individuals would easily be able to pick out either reproduction from an original.

I guess there's different degrees of perfection, and if a seat cover can cost twice the amount of another, simply for a degree of puffiness in the raised panels, than by all means.

Original 38 year Old interior in excellant condition is few and far between for comparison.

If it's worth double the cost for puffy panels, then by all means.

I still haven't seen however, substantiation for the description of "Crap" with the PUI Covers.

Perhaps a lesser degree of correct Detail in panel depth would be a better informative comparison as apposed to stateing "they're Crap".

SImply dismissing one or the other as garbage is not a responsible response to the question.

I'm still not stating Legendary is not the better cover, but one must weigh in all factors, including material, stitch, fit, detail, price and service to make thier descision.

I've got a set of PUI's in one of my 69s and just sent a set of seats up to Legendary a couple of months ago. I'm sure glad to see that someone from Legendary posted here. That means they are still in business. :D


I was going to call Jeff Stewart after the first of the year.

Definately looks puffier.

So then as we look at the waffle pattern on the original, and the waffle patern on both the PUI and Legendary, would you not agree that neither are as pronounced as original? Not true, Legendary's waffle pattern is very pronounced.

I guess there's different degrees of perfection, and if a seat cover can cost twice the amount of another, simply for a degree of puffiness in the raised panels, than by all means.
its not just the puffiness THEY HAVE THE WHOLE PACKAGE. here again John you havent seen them.

I still haven't seen however, substantiation for the description of "Crap" with the PUI Covers. look at it this way. theres halfass and wholeass pui is halfass.

I'm still not stating Legendary is not the better cover, but one must weigh in all factors, including material, stitch, fit, detail, price and service to make thier descision. bottom line Legendary will out perform pui in all areas.

but, if your happy with your pui's thats fine its your car.

Looks like too many Legendary promoters here. It's all in what you're happy with, and afterall these aren't museum pieces, they're drivers, built in a 2 car garage by guys without limited budgets.
Let's face it- nothing beats original equipment from GM and most of the cars owned by participants that need replacement 'whatever' are happy thier dollars have improved thier cars. Here's hoping both Legendary and PUI stay in business, improve thier products and give us better parts to enjoy our cars even more!

FWIW I have what I believe to be the original interior in my '69 Malibu (Parchment vinyl bench). My '69 SS (Black vinyl bench) has PUI covers. I looked closely at the Legendary covers at CB '07. The original Malibu covers look to be about halfway between the PUI and Legendary in "puffiness". The Legendary padding in the pleats appears to be squared off some, or rectangular in cross-section. The Malibu padding is rounded.

All of the threads I've seen with complaints on PUI Covers was that they are sewn poorly, or even flat out incorrectly and simply don't fit.

In real life, with your hands on the pleats on my seats, they're pretty decent. When I looked at the photo's, and went out to look at my car, the photo's are misleading.

There is decent detail in the pleating.

I think with Legendary, as well as PUI, that the pleat height, compared to the originals, aren't as pronounced as the original.

I have heard of comparing reproductions to originals before like "Reading brail" with your hands running over the originals.

As always however, I am open to further clarification if someone can show me otherwise.


Here is some detail on the pleating for comparison.


I'm pleased with mine. But I could be 1 in 100, or be ignorantly bliss.


I'd would say that perhaps "Look's like Crap" is slightly exaggerated in my case however.

A good apolsterer can't make a poorly sewn cover fit, but a bad apolsterer, can certainly make a good cover "look Like Crap".

Aside from your question of pleat height, I think you'd have agree that my PUI covers aren't loose or sagged and fit reasonably well.

Perhaps attributed to my Apolsterer.

Either way, I remain pleased with the outcome.


.


Yes a good upholster can make a crap (PUI) seat cover look good,but they will spend 3-4 times longer making them look good.I know that for a fact.I spent 6 hour's tring to make a PUI seat cover look acceptible.That's just 1 bench seat cover,as with the Legendary I can install front and rear cover's in about a 3rd(or less) time and not have to worry about them fitting right or looking right.
If you ask the person that installed your cover's they have alot more time spent on them than you know.And if your upholster had to alter the cover's in anyway PUI WILL NOT stand behind the warranty of a year. And if I remeber right Lengdary has a Life Time warranty as long as you own the car,as long as they have not been alted in anyway.

Who made the seat covers for GM in the late 60's early 70's when these cars were new??

They have it all planned.......:yes: And know it will be at least a year to more :clonk: before were actually to that point in the restoration......Me anyways....So much for a quick engine swap :wacko:

I for one welcome anyone who will stand like that behind their product. A box arrived last week and I didn't even need to open it.

My Legendary covers will hopefully be here this week. I just hope that they actually are from Legendary and not another maker. They were about $100 less than the advertised price on the Legendary website, so I was a little skeptical. I have a friend that does upholstery, so I'm going to take the seats to him

So, how did you fix that lopsided seat issue you had???
You end up getting new tracks or what??

Just curious.

Bryan

So, how did you fix that lopsided seat issue you had???
You end up getting new tracks or what??

Just curious.

Bryan

After I welded in the new floor brackets, I put about 5 washers under the rear inside bracket, Looks good now :) I'll have to replace the tracks on the driver seat eventually I guess

yes, they should be that puffy. heres pics of an original

I know photos are difficult, but that "original white" rear seat does not look as puffy as the previously shown "black Legendary" rear seat...

FWIW I have what I believe to be the original interior in my '69 Malibu (Parchment vinyl bench). My '69 SS (Black vinyl bench) has PUI covers. I looked closely at the Legendary covers at CB '07. The original Malibu covers look to be about halfway between the PUI and Legendary in "puffiness". The Legendary padding in the pleats appears to be squared off some, or rectangular in cross-section. The Malibu padding is rounded.

Your observation concurs with this previously posted opinion that the original covers panel height, falls inbetween the height, of the two aftermarket brands.

Dale sent me some additional examples of original interior that also agrees with this observation, but they are in Win Dat format and I can't convert them to jpg to post.

Of the additional photos provided to me of original interiors, I'd say this opinion is likely spot on which concurs with your observation that original falls inbetween the two.

But, have you taken into consideration that someone has been setting on these seats for 37 or 38 years?
which would cause the foam in the seats to brake down and there for fall inbetween.

Agreed, but then how would you determine what is correct to begin with?

I'm not trying to argue, just seeking the truth and being Devils advocate.

You use NOS seat inserts like this

Well I have to agree that's interesting, where did you find that?

I would have posted that right off the bat.. They appear to be cut-off?

I am not 100% certain on this but I believe that the factory seats were made on various metal dies in order to achieve perfect uniformity...if so then it would follow that modern reproductions...which are probably made with a slightly different less expensive smaller scale process...would not be exactly like the factory ones...so the manufacturing technique is what determines the outcome...apparently Legendary has a better process than the others...

Guys, I can't speak as to the quality of Legendary seat covers but I soon will. Have just had a terrible time with PUI bucket seat covers. Followed PUI's website tech tips to the letter and passenger seat cover tore at a seam. Ordered new PUI seat foam for the drivers side, it was an awful fit, and tore that side also upon installation using bare hands only and a heat gun! I don't know if Legendary covers are better but they can't be much worse than what I have tried so far. Sorry for the negative post. -Dan

Malibu and SS are the same covers.

Guys, I can't speak as to the quality of Legendary seat covers but I soon will. Have just had a terrible time with PUI bucket seat covers. Followed PUI's website tech tips to the letter and passenger seat cover tore at a seam. Ordered new PUI seat foam for the drivers side, it was an awful fit, and tore that side also upon installation using bare hands only and a heat gun! I don't know if Legendary covers are better but they can't be much worse than what I have tried so far. Sorry for the negative post. -Dan

IMO, its hard to blame a product for failing if you are a novice... Too many variables to even get an idea if it was product on installer...

I am a novice, but I have covered several sets of my own Chevelles seats, always using PUI covers..

I have NEVER had a problem with PUI covers not fitting well, or tearing seams, and even my "White" seats in my convertible looked great after 12+ years until I sold the car (10+ of that with absolutely NO top on the car)... I didn't take particularly good care of those seats, and only did a thorough cleaning once in all that time ( I had to clean up some grease here and there), and they still were in great shape... AFAIK, they are still in great shape 4+ years after I sold the car ( I saw the car last year, and still nice then)...

I have not needed to use a heat gun/hair dryer to get my PUI covers to fit well. On my latest, I even installed them at night (no "sitting in the sun" to loosen them up or make them more pliable), and the fit is still great... I would guess by NOT heating them, I had to pull harder than typical to get them in place, but still no problems...

I have not used Legendary, but I have several friends that did (mopars), and there were complaints from those guys.

Puffy? PUI looks closer to the originals I have seen. Legendary always looks too puffy, even in the areas where there should be no wear (places where originals shouldn't have flattened)...

"Maybe" Lengendary are more concours correct, I really don't know... Maybe overall Leg has better quality, but I have never seen quality problems from PUI. Of all the people I know with PUI, I have never heard or seen any problem in person, just on the internet... Of the installers I asked, I don't recall anyone having a problem with PUI, or recommending Legendary over PUI...

Guys, I can't speak as to the quality of Legendary seat covers but I soon will. Have just had a terrible time with PUI bucket seat covers. Followed PUI's website tech tips to the letter and passenger seat cover tore at a seam. Ordered new PUI seat foam for the drivers side, it was an awful fit, and tore that side also upon installation using bare hands only and a heat gun! I don't know if Legendary covers are better but they can't be much worse than what I have tried so far. Sorry for the negative post. -Dan

Dan,
nothing negative about it.
nothing wrong with speaking the truth!
and you'll be Happy with your new choice. Night and Day difference.

Guys, I can't speak as to the quality of Legendary seat covers but I soon will.

Have just had a terrible time with PUI bucket seat covers.

I don't know if Legendary covers are better but they can't be much worse than what I have tried so far.

Sorry for the negative post. -Dan



Dan,

We've preferred Legendary for many moons. :thumbsup:

Like you, we made bad choices before finding Legendary.

You'll be pleased! :yes:

SS and Malibu are the same.:yes: