Projects New threads for the FiddyFive

When I got my '55 Chevy pickup it had a split bench seat out of a Lincoln in it, with the good ol' mexican blanket on it. Here's a 'before' pic.



I wanted an original seat so I put a ad in the classifieds here. 'Yardmanstephen' replied that he had one that needed recovering, but the frame and springs were in very good shape.

Here's what came on the bus -



It's sat in the corner of my garage since January. I'd thought of going custom and even got a few quotes, but this is my daily and I've usually got my Jack Russell pup Rascal with me, so a simple cover more sense. I ordered a cover from www.carandtruckupholstery.com You can get several different colors, pleats or no, vinyl or velour, etc. I chose the basic black with pleats.

Per the directions I sat the seat covers out in the sun to let them soften up while I tore the old seat down.






As promised the frame and springs were in very good shape - just needed a couple of minor repairs and a fresh coat of paint. As you can see all the padding was nasty and full of mouse shit - and even a couple of dead mice. Man did it stink!!!

I went over to my buddy Ray Eller's upholstery shop to pick up some supplys and get some advice on rebuilding the seat. Here's how he told me to do it:

First, burlap to protect the foam, just as original:




Then a layer of dense jute underlayment; this replaces the original horsehair:



Then a layer of 2 inch thick foam - this replaces the original cotton batting. The edges were cut and glued with contac cement.



I won't bore you with a bunch of pictures of me hog-ringing the covers in place, so here's the finished product:





The covers were $179 and Ray cut me a smoking deal on the foam and stuff. I bought a 4x6 area rug from wal-mart for $17 and trimmed it to fit - the 'carpet' before was a shop mat.

Not bad eh?

 

Nice work, looks great!

 

Way cool, probably a lot more comfortable too.

 

Nice work Gator...The 55 is looking good. Did I see dog hair on the seat? That must be your pal Rascal.

 

Looks great. Nice job!

 

Thanks for the feedback guys. Yeah, He thinks it's his truck. Dusty paw prints on the seat before I even got it bolted down - like I said that's one of the reasons I kept it simple.

 

A fine job you doned didded.

 

Did yourself proud dude!!!
The Rock

 

nice work and thanks for the pics I have to face the same issue with the olds I fell alittle better about it now.

 

man it looks great

 

really great update for your truck, looks great!