I am currently reupholstering a pair of 71 Grabber bucket seats. The button in the backrest is made of vinyl and bonded to the seat trim cover. I have the opportunity to have these reproduced. They are the same for the front bench seat. Since the process involves having the button bonded to the new vinyl insert section I have to supply the correct color/grain vinyl to the manufacturer. The cost to do just one pair is too high , but if I can have more done the cost per pair would be reasonable. I have not received a cost estimate from the manufacturer yet. These would be identical to the original and bonded to a padded vinyl strip that is large enough to do either the bucket seats or the bench seat. You do not have to have me reupholster your seats. Any upholstery shop can use these when doing the job. I can make new covers in most of the original colors. Prices vary due to the various suppliers prices of the vinyl. The set I am doing now are black with Ruffino grain vinyl inserts. A set of these covers for a pair of bucket seats would be about $300.00 without the vinyl buttons. I am trying to keep the cost of the vinyl buttons to $20.00/pair max. There are metal buttons that can be used that are close in size and style that can be installed in the covers once they are made. I would like to know how many people would be interested in a pair and in what color. If the numbers are sufficient to keep the cost reasonable I will have them made. I have completed the cushion covers and installed them. I will post some photos shortly. Fred
What color vinyl? I am making the whole covers. I have the cushions done but am waiting to do the backrests until I make a decision on the buttons. I have had inquiries in the past on doing the covers but the buttons have been an issue. Now that I can get them made, price will be the deciding factor. Fred
I would be interested in a complete set of bucket seat covers and rear seat for a 71 Grabber in black. Do you have an approximate cost for that?
I do not have the patterns for the 71 rear seat. I think the 72 is the same. If so there is one in a local salvage yard with a good rear seat which I could use as a pattern. Post a photo of your rear seat for me to compare. The rear seat would be considerably less than the front buckets. less labor and less materials. The labor for a set of rear covers would be $100.00 and approximately $85.00 for the materials if done in black Corinthian/Ruffino. I can do some of the other colors for the same price as long as I can get the vinyl from by normal distributors. If I have to get it from SMS the cost of the vinyl is higher. They are the only source I know of for the Comfort Weave vinyl. Original Auto Interiors in Michigan may also have it, same pricing. If you purchase the vinyl from SMS directly I would only charge the labor and material cost for the backed foam needed to make the pleated inserts. I will update as progress is made. Fred
The 71 and 72 rear seats are totally different. 70-71 are the same and 72-77 are the same. I have heard some early 72s are the same as the 70-71. It depends on if you have the retractable seat belts.
I believe my 72s are the same pattern, just a different material. Mine are plain vinyl, not comfort weave. How much $$ are we talking for a pair of covers? I may be interested too.
I would be interested in a a set of high back covers w/ buttons for a 72 in Med ginger!! Front and rear!!
I will check the availability of each color/grain. I know the medium blue Corinthian vinyl is available through my distributors and both the medium blue and the ginger Ruffino were last year. The ginger Corinthian was not but I'm sure it is reproduced and available through SMS or Original Auto Interiors. There seems to be enough interest that making the original vinyl buttons should be possible. I will contact everyone with prices. Any covers that can be done with vinyl available through my distributors would be $300.00 for a pair of front covers and an additional $185.00 for the rears. This does not include the button. If I can get them done it would probably be around $20.00 for the pair. I was quoted a minimum of $200.00 for the set up cost so if I can get at least 10 pair it will bring the cost down to a reasonable amount. Thanks, Fred
I would definitely be in for at least 2 sets of buttons and potentially two sets of upholstery as well, black '72.
If the seats are like the original ones with the cloth, I would be interested in a set, front and rear for a '71 Grabber, with the buttons. My inserts are cloth. I would also be interested in 2 sections with buttons and vinyl for front buckets in white to use in my Sprint, or if you were able to get the blue lambeth cloth from SMS, I would like front buckets and a rear seat in the red, white, and blue Sprint theme. Can you do that, too? Jim