69 GTV seats

[BHIGGINS2@domain.elided]

Bob Brady writes:

I've seen two styles of '69 GTV seats.  The first (prettier, imo) seats have 
the "flying buttresses" only have one adjustable headrest (driver side?), and 
have large tufts in the seat cushions.  A member of the Houston AROC has a 
set of these in his '69 GTV that came from Canada.  His seats are what I 
really want!

I have a Euro '69 1750 GTV with the flying butress seats - it is the
passengers side that has the headrest - wish it was the driver's side.

I am assuming the "tufts" mentioned refer to the large padded pleats on the
center portion of the seat - I had my seats recovered back in 1991.  The shop
that did the work did a beautiful job - the tufts were apparently not easy to
duplicate and the butresses gave them fits - it took 3 months longer to
complete the job than the quote.  I didn't get seat covers - the seats were
recovered from scratch.  When I recovered the seats - the OEM basket weave
material originally used in the center of the seats was not available so I
went for black leather grained vinyl all around.  I had the choice of domestic
vinyl, premium german vinyl, or snowmobile seat vinyl (I was told it is the
most durable you can get - I think it is thicker) - I went with the snowmobile
vinyl - looks great!  Seats were recovered in Ottawa, Canada.

I was told that the guy who did the work could only work on the seats for a
hour or so each day before he lost his patience and had to put them aside.  I
was told that next time the cost for one front seat would be greater than what
I paid for both front seats and the rear.

My guess is that many '69 seats lost the tufts when they were recovered for
sake of ease and money - too bad as they look good with the tufts.

Ben Higgins
Scuderia Alfa Romeo, Houston
Galveston, Texas

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