65 Rivi seat covers

[Guest 40series]

Where can I find front seat covers for the front on a 65 (black)

[Mr Riviera]

Clarks Corvair

[Patrick91914]

The Clarks kits are identical to what came from the factory. I just had the black cloth/vinyl kit installed and it is a perfect fit.

[Guest waijo355]

The Clarks kits are identical to what came from the factory. I just had the black cloth/vinyl kit installed and it is a perfect fit.

Hello guys,

Ive seen a few posts regarding Corvair as a supplier for Riviera seat covers. Do their seat covers fit the 67 Rivieras as well? or just the 1st gen rivis?

Cheers

Jordan

[Patrick91914]

Hello guys,

Ive seen a few posts regarding Corvair as a supplier for Riviera seat covers. Do their seat covers fit the 67 Rivieras as well? or just the 1st gen rivis?

Cheers

Jordan

Clarks only offers 1st gen covers; however, you may want to check with SMS Auto Fabrics to #1 get original fabric and #2, determine if they can reproduce seat covers. I suspect they can. Here's their website: Largest Selection of Cloth, Vinyl & Leather Automobile Upholstery - SMS Auto Fabrics

It won't be inexpensive.

On a related note, SMS provided the vinyl top for my '65. It took about a month to receive and it's a perfect fit. It can be seen it this thread: http://forums.aaca.org/f177/65-gs-fresh-paint-279326.html

Edited April 29, 2010 by Patrick91914 (see edit history)

[RivNut]

Request an OPGI catalog. They list an upholstery kit for the '66 and '67 Rivieras. There is not a picture of the acutal kit, which would be nice, but there is a description of each kit.

[Guest rusty_bucket]

I am restoring a 65 Standard Rivi and had a similar question about seat covers.

I have found a full interior package to order for about $600 but I really like the deluxe seat covers better (they are $900). I've seen a few places say imply that the deluxe and standard seat covers aren't interchangeable but I didn't know for sure and can't find anyone who can confirm it for sure. The place I'm ordering the seat covers from :

Old Buick Parts - CARS. Inc.

said they didn't think there was a difference between the Deluxe and Standard Bucket seats, but I want to ask some rivi experts before I spent the cash. Were the Deluxe seats completely different or did they just have different padding / trim? Any help would be greatly appreciated!

[RivNut]

I'm sure the frames are the same, it's the back rest and seat bun foam that would be different.

One thing to consider if you're wanting to put the custom seat covers on and have the car appear as OE, you'll need to change out the door panels as well.

Ed

[Guest rusty_bucket]

Thanks a mil, that will help alot. I did know about the door panels. I already have the rear panels for the Deluxe and I think I also have a line on a very nice set of the front panels from a buddy in TX. It's not ultra important to be exactly factory correct down to the last trim screw, so if there has to be some mix and match it won't break my heart. Just want it to look nice and drive nice.

Is there a company that supplies precut seat foam or is that something I'll have to undertake myself or have a local upholstery shop do?

Thanks again

[Patrick91914]

Thanks a mil, that will help alot. I did know about the door panels. I already have the rear panels for the Deluxe and I think I also have a line on a very nice set of the front panels from a buddy in TX. It's not ultra important to be exactly factory correct down to the last trim screw, so if there has to be some mix and match it won't break my heart. Just want it to look nice and drive nice.

Is there a company that supplies precut seat foam or is that something I'll have to undertake myself or have a local upholstery shop do?

Thanks again

Any decent upholstery shop can build-up seat foam on the frame so that deluxe seat covers fit.

Regarding the door panels, you just need to find the armrests and hardware to apply to a Clarks covered door carboard kit. Have your upholsterer apply the new carboard to the metal top section of the your current door panel and you'll be good to go.

I imagine you need the two plastic arm rest sections for each door, the chrome end and center sections for them, door handles x 4, switchplates, power window switches (and perhaps p/vent switches), and the cushioned section with the metal insert. All of this stuff is out there and should be easy to find.

[Guest rusty_bucket]

I just received a reply from Clarksville corvair saying that the standard and deluxe seat frames are NOT the same. He said the delux frames are much wider and just building up foam won't work. So now I'm really confused. Does anyone know for a fact what the differences are between the STD and deluxe seats in 65? Thanks again for all the help

[Guest rusty_bucket]

I just received a reply from Clarksville corvair saying that the standard and deluxe seat frames are NOT the same. He said the delux frames are much wider and just building up foam won't work. So now I'm really confused. Does anyone know for a fact what the differences are between the STD and deluxe seats in 65? Thanks again for all the help

[Guest rusty_bucket]

Clarks corvair. Not Clarksville Mytypo

[Ron Luchene]

I have a standard and deluxe interior in my garage. I recently needed to replace my deluxe interior driver side seat back and can confirm that the seat back frames on the standard and deluxe interior appear to be identical. I'm pretty sure that the seat bottom frame is identical as well with a wider seat bunn installed for the deluxe interior. I think the seats just look bigger based on the way they build up the foam in the deluxe seat covers. I'm no expert but my deluxe seat cover fit fine on the standard seat back frame.

[MartyWorld]

Clarks only offers 1st gen covers; however, you may want to check with SMS Auto Fabrics to #1 get original fabric and #2, determine if they can reproduce seat covers. I suspect they can. Here's their website: Largest Selection of Cloth, Vinyl & Leather Automobile Upholstery - SMS Auto Fabrics

It won't be inexpensive.

On a related note, SMS provided the vinyl top for my '65. It took about a month to receive and it's a perfect fit. It can be seen it this thread: http://forums.aaca.org/f177/65-gs-fresh-paint-279326.html

I ordered samples from Clark's Corvair and SMS for my 65 Buick Riviera, dark green vinyl interior. The SMS material is much thicker, much like the orginal seats. I am going with SMS. The material from Clark's is very thin.

Marty

[Guest ahhh65riv]

I hope you are not in a hurry. Although I am very pleased from the materials from SMS, their service was far less than my expectation. It tood TWO YEARS to get my door panels back! Oh, and don't forget your checkbook! On top of that, I found out they use Clarks for a supplier of their own.

Erik

[MartyWorld]

I hope you are not in a hurry. Although I am very pleased from the materials from SMS, their service was far less than my expectation. It tood TWO YEARS to get my door panels back! Oh, and don't forget your checkbook! On top of that, I found out they use Clarks for a supplier of their own.

Erik

I would go with Clark's due to their very fine reputation. It is just that the SMS materials are much thicker and appear to be identical to "stock".

Marty

[Desmc14]

I just replaced driver's seat (foam seat & back and cover) for my 65 standard interior from Clark's... perfect all around...looks great and matches well with the original blue...

[Patrick91914]

I ordered samples from Clark's Corvair and SMS for my 65 Buick Riviera, dark green vinyl interior. The SMS material is much thicker, much like the orginal seats. I am going with SMS. The material from Clark's is very thin.

Marty

I compared the Clarks and SMS black fabric samples. Their appearances were identical except that the Clarks was slightly darker. The difference was insignificant and probably typical lot variation. The clarks fabric was also slightly smoother.

I also purchased the clarks door panels and had my upholsterer intstall a new wood kit and cover the armrest bases in vinyl. All clarks products are high quality. Nothing against sms...they did a perfect job on my vinyl top, but if you want seat covers indentical to what came from the factory in about a week, Clarks is your best choice.

With that said, i believe clarks will accept sms fabric, but you may not get a credit for the sms material

Edited June 4, 2010 by Patrick91914 (see edit history)

[Guest Kingoftheroad]

Clarks is the only way to go !!

I bought much of the materials needed for my interior from Clarks, timely service & a quality product that still looks great after many years...

[MartyWorld]

I compared the Clarks and SMS black fabric samples. Their appearances were identical except that the Clarks was slightly darker. The difference was insignificant and probably typical lot variation. The clarks fabric was also slightly smoother.

I also purchased the clarks door panels and had my upholsterer intstall a new wood kit and cover the armrest bases in vinyl. All clarks products are high quality. Nothing against sms...they did a perfect job on my vinyl top, but if you want seat covers indentical to what came from the factory in about a week, Clarks is your best choice.

With that said, i believe clarks will accept sms fabric, but you may not get a credit for the sms material

I believe the color of material is a consideration. Clark advertises there green color is "close" (not an exact match as their other colors). SMS is an exact match for the dark green seats. Also the SMS material is thicker just as the original seats.

In your case, Clark's has the exact match for the color black.

This is no criticism of Clark's. I have purchased several items from them. Excellent products and service.

Its just that their vendor(s) for the green vinyl is different than the original.

Thanks,

Marty

[Guest Kingoftheroad]

When I bought from Clark's I was told they didn't have the exact green for my Riv either so, I got as close as I could & dyed the door panels & stuff to match the seat covers.. I put my interior back the way it came from Buick or as close as I could get it anyways

Edited June 8, 2010 by Kingoftheroad (see edit history)

[65VerdeGS]

Marty is right. The Clarks dark green vinyl is not an exact color match. I bought seatcovers for my front seats from Clarks and the color was slightly lighter than stock. Under certain lighting conditions you could tell the difference from the back seat which is stock. I fixed this by having an upholstery specialist recolor the vinyl to match the stock rear seat. Just my 2cents.