Is this saveable r32 gtr seat

[32pwwr]

Hey team,

paid peanuts for a pair of r32 gtr seats, passenger is in good condition but drivers has definitely seen some action….

wanted to brain storm if there was any way on saving it, or a shop that can do it.

the back bar is snapped on both ends and in the corner. 

[PLYNX]

Considering the price of GTR stuff now the answer is yes. That's a straight forward TIG or even MIG job. I'd put extra tubing inside, for extra strength and weld it up. Then use the spare seat as an example to get the bolster rails in the correct position and the re-apolster.

If you don't mind me asking what did you pay for the pair as they are?

[GTSBoy]

Yes, as above. The welding is an easy enough job.

Proper reupholstering, perhaps less so. These, and pretty much all seats of the same era (and probably still) rely on molded foam parts to make the shapes. That foam is the yellow detritus visible in the photos. And it is difficult to replicate.

I didn't want the pain, so went aftermarket seats instead. But for "saving a classic".... it's probably worth the kidney and left nut that a trimmer will want to redo them.

[32pwwr]

24 minutes ago, GTSBoy said:

Yes, as above. The welding is an easy enough job.

Proper reupholstering, perhaps less so. These, and pretty much all seats of the same era (and probably still) rely on molded foam parts to make the shapes. That foam is the yellow detritus visible in the photos. And it is difficult to replicate.

I didn't want the pain, so went aftermarket seats instead. But for "saving a classic".... it's probably worth the kidney and left nut that a trimmer will want to redo them.

I managed to get the foam will the original upholstery off in one piece, so will be an easy to re fit thankfully.

[32pwwr]

59 minutes ago, PLYNX said:

Considering the price of GTR stuff now the answer is yes. That's a straight forward TIG or even MIG job. I'd put extra tubing inside, for extra strength and weld it up. Then use the spare seat as an example to get the bolster rails in the correct position and the re-apolster.

If you don't mind me asking what did you pay for the pair as they are?

Just pulled the passenger apart so got a good idea, also the side bracket that pivots the top half is completely cooked.. how I don’t know.. haha

and paid $400

also included a photo of the passenger seat! She is mint

Edited January 3 by 32pwwr

[PLYNX]

Yep that's a superb price and ther is no way you will over capitalise on you investment. 

As to the bracket, again just use the passenger side seat  bracket ( obviously reversed ) as a sample to reshape it and in this case, TIG it back together.

[MBS206]

Those brackets are known for snapping.

Easy to fix the metal, and a good seat reupholsterer can fix the rest.

I'd potentially get them to look at making new foam too. Even if you've got the old, it will be partly compressed / not as supportive as it should be.

[32pwwr]

1 hour ago, PLYNX said:

Yep that's a superb price and ther is no way you will over capitalise on you investment. 

As to the bracket, again just use the passenger side seat  bracket ( obviously reversed ) as a sample to reshape it and in this case, TIG it back together.

What do you think it would cost to reupholster? definitely worth saving regardless, especially how much I paid haha 

will probably also look at welding a metal plate into the bracket for reinforcement.

Edited January 4 by 32pwwr

[32pwwr]

48 minutes ago, MBS206 said:

Those brackets are known for snapping.

Easy to fix the metal, and a good seat reupholsterer can fix the rest.

I'd potentially get them to look at making new foam too. Even if you've got the old, it will be partly compressed / not as supportive as it should be.

Will definitely ask, I’m expecting that I’ll need to sell my left nut 

[32pwwr]

Update:

pulled the passenger bracket off and looks some what universal.

the driver bracket is proper cooked and don’t see how I could get it fixed.

 

my thought process is, buy a cheap passenger seat and swap the bracket over and foams as mine are cooked  

Edited January 4 by 32pwwr

[GTSBoy]

Just remake the bracket. It's just bent steel with a nut welded to it.

It is thinner material than you might remake it in. You just have to get the thickness right in places where it absolutely must be (and there might not actually be any such places.

The same motor trimmer who you get to work on the outside of the seat would no doubt have done exactly this type of repair in the past.

[32pwwr]

11 minutes ago, GTSBoy said:

Just remake the bracket. It's just bent steel with a nut welded to it.

It is thinner material than you might remake it in. You just have to get the thickness right in places where it absolutely must be (and there might not actually be any such places.

The same motor trimmer who you get to work on the outside of the seat would no doubt have done exactly this type of repair in the past.

I sent off a message to a guy, waiting for his response if he can do it or knows someone.

[PLYNX]

How much is it to re-uploster? 

Well that's a "how longs a piece of string?" question ! 

And I answer thusly: "twice half its length! " . . . . . . 

Seriously you'll have to chase multiple quotes for that one from different uphlostrerereres ! 

Ask around, in your area and on the forums, chase reviews and most of all see the finished product in person cause photoshop is a wonderful thing !

Edited January 4 by PLYNX

[The Bogan]

Might be tricky matching the seat trim material 

If your got the funds you "may" want to get the rear re-trimed as well to match the front

[MBS206]

1 hour ago, PLYNX said:

How much is it to re-uploster? 

Well that's a "how longs a piece of string?" question ! 

And I answer thusly: "twice half its length! " . . . . . . 

Seriously you'll have to chase multiple quotes for that one from different uphlostrerereres ! 

Ask around, in your area and on the forums, chase reviews and most of all see the finished product in person cause photoshop is a wonderful thing !

For something like this, I'd skip just going for the cheapest, I'd find the place with the best experiences people have had, especially for restoration work.

Like everything, there is upholsterers, and then there is upholsterers.

Some really great upholsterers for automotive restos won't even appear to have an online presence.

 

My guide would be find some of the old school classic cars that have been fully restored and are immaculate, and ask the people who own them who did the work on their seats

[PLYNX]

On 1/4/2025 at 5:08 PM, The Bogan said:

Might be tricky matching the seat trim material 

If your got the funds you "may" want to get the rear re-trimed as well to match the front

Yes I as well would like to find out where I could get some of the seat material with the red or blue small squares in it

[32pwwr]

UPDATE:

was able to have the bracket repaired and base repaired, seat is like new now ;)