OK.. I'm a pontiac guy but I lerk around in these forums because you guys know ALOT about A body stuff. :D I posted this on another forum and the pictures I reference below are there. Apparently I can not upload pics to thsi site..

http://forums.performanceyears.com/forums/showthread.php?p=3684431#post3684431


I just bought a set of front/rear interior from legendary, ordered in a 1965 GTO pattern to cover the seats in my '64 tempest custom. My bucket cores are supposed to be from a '64 tempest custom.

The interior shop says the covers are too small, and measure quite a bit smaller than the originals - and will not fit. They say that the legendary covers are the same size as the 66-67 seats, but not the 64-65..

Legendary is claiming that the cores are from a '64 corvair, which are a different size. They are not being very helpful, and consider themselves to be "GTO" experts.

I need to verify some measurements to figure out what is going on.. Legendary is not providing what the measurements for these seats "should" be.. Can you guys with '64 and '65 buckets take a measurement for me?

The pictures show the bottom (butt) and top of the seats and measurements.

The original seat bottom (pictured) measures 25 1/2" from seam to seam, and the original top measures roughly 21 1/2" from seam to seam.

The new seat bottom (pictured) measures 22 1/2" wide from seam to seam, and the new seat top measures roughly 19.5" from seam to seam.

In addition to the problems with the front seats, the rear covers are also about 1 1/2" too short and do not fit. We are using the original foams which are in very good original condition on the front and rear seats.

Can any of you guys put a tape measure to your bucket seats to verify these measurements? THANKS IN ADVANCE!!!

i can't answer for the front seats, as i don't have a 64/65-

But on the backseat- I know that Some oldsmobiles and buicks (and possibly pontiacs) used two different back seats. One which was full width- and had armrests similar to the front seat ones- this was usually used in the low end model cars- and a nother narrower rear seat which was the same as the convertibles, and went in the higher end cars along with some snazzy convertible like armrests.

Since you have a tempest- its likely that you have the full width rear seat- and the GTO covers are the smaller size rear seat which works with the armrests on the sides.

at least that is my guess as to what is going on.

I'm sure the guys on performance years will be able to better answer your questions as they actually have GTO's and such.

hope this helps some.

60-64 Corvair seats are wider than '65 Corvair seats. I believe (not 100% sure) that '65 Corvair seats are the same as '65 GTO, but I think '64s are different. Do your seatbacks fold straight forward, or do they swing in towards the console? I think the correct seat fold straight forward. The covers in your picture do look like 'vair seats.

I have a '65 Nova and I can tell you that the '65 Nova seats are different than '62-64 Nova seats. They are narrower and fold straight forward. The earlier ones are wider and the backs fold to the inside. In '66 they all went to the strato-bucket.

John

By the way.... glad I could help a Pontiac guy. I have learned a LOT about tuning q-jets hanging on that other site. ;)

Poncho :D Name?
It sounds like you want to use the cores you have regardless of what year/car they are from. Did you ask Legendary if they can provide you with seat covers that match the dimensions of your old covers and be done with it? Even if you had to send them your old covers. Just a thought?

I can't help with measurements since I do not have them... but Ive been doing auto upholstery for many years. I know you are after the embossed centers with the heat sealed pleats and arrowhead logo. So rather than guessing for a size and cover to fit your seat... what about having your upholstery guy match the vinyl color and then make new pieces that he can sew to the legendary inserts with the design you want? Might sound complicated, but it should not be an issue. As long as they can match the color, they could make a seat cover using the insert That is assuming that the insert will reach from front to back as needed.

Anyway, just a thought.

It does not sound like you are having problems with Legendary seat covers as your thread title suggests. It sounds like you ordered seat covers that are not correct for the frames you have in your car. I believe a couple different guys from our tech. dept. have tried to help you out with this situation. We know our seat covers fit perfectly when used with the proper frames because we have installed and test-fitted them several times ourselves.