C5 drivers seat

[Krusty]

As the title says really

The drivers seat in my 2001 C5 has a small tear in the base which is increasingly getting larger and larger!
So I'm looking for a replacement... or a nice condition pair of seats?
It's the only thing that lets my car down visually
Alternatively, does anyone recommend a good upholsterer?
Also open to the idea of aftermarket seats maybe??? But I have no knowledge of what seats and rails will fit, etc.

Thanks

 

[teamzr1]

If your seats are like the ones on my 1999 C5, the seat covers have zippers so would be easy to
take off and stitch up what is needed



I took the driver's seat apart and fixed the bladders for the bolsters and it was easy getting the covers off

If you're thinking of going with like sports or race seats as they are much lighter in weight
If seat has all the features they weigh like 70 pounds each and to go faster, get rid of the weight

 

[Krusty]

That's brilliant advice.
It is only the base that I have a growing split in at the moment (thanks to 24 years of age... teamed with my fat ar$e sitting on it).
The rest of my seats are in fairly nice condition.
Is there a way to remove the base layer of leather easily?

 

[teamzr1]

Here is a 45-minute video on taking off and on seat covers for C5, C6s

After seeing what you need, maybe with seat in car to lifting just the part of seat cushion needed to do your repair ?

 

[Krusty]

This is PERFECT!!!!
Looks like I'll easily be able to remove the base layer and maybe buy myself a replacement for a direct fit

 

[teamzr1]

You can get from like Amazon iron on patches

Amazon.com : iron on patches

Once you do the stitching, then use a patch on the backside to make it stronger from coming apart in the future ?

 

[Krusty]

The video you posted is very informative and I'm wondering if I should just buy myself a set of replacement seat covers???
They are nowhere near as expensive as I thought they'd be on etsy, in all sorts of different colour combinations... plus with brilliant reviews from other buyers.
I think I'll go down that route as I've just seen a lovely set of black replacement covers that have red stitching, red 'corvette' on the upper back piece, and the corvette emblem on the headrest.
Can't complain really

 

[teamzr1]

Sometimes you get what you pay for
Doing a search for real leather C5 seat covers for a pair is like $1,000 to $1,500 US like :

C5 Corvette Seat Covers - 1997-2004 | Top Flight

Shop high-quality and stylish C5 Corvette seat covers at Top Flight Automotive. Protect your seats while adding a custom look. Buy now!

www.topflightautomotive.com

 

[2vettes]

Once you've got them replaced, then ban anyone from wearing jeans in your car!
It was the studs that gradually wore holes bigger and bigger in my C5 leather.