Author Topic: Early 230SL seat re-shaping  (Read 2210 times)

col320ce

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Early 230SL seat re-shaping
« on: February 19, 2021, 10:34:53 »
Has anyone successfully reshaped the replacement foam/horsehair seat base to fit the early 230SL seats? I've bought them but looking at it I think it's going to be much harder than it sounds and still require corrective padding.
Col

1964 230SL
1965 250SE coupe
1993 320CE Sportline

Sead

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  • Bosnia and Herzegovina, Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Sarajevo
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Re: Early 230SL seat re-shaping
« Reply #1 on: February 19, 2021, 12:12:28 »
Just done this on my seats.
As early Type1 seat pads are not available, my upholstery guy modified new style pads. These are a  NO-GO in my 03/63 230.
1964 230SL

gtait

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Re: Early 230SL seat re-shaping
« Reply #2 on: February 22, 2021, 05:35:07 »
I purchased new pads and old style leather covers from KHM in Germany. The upholstery service I used in Canada converted the pads to conform to the early style shape without any difficulty. To add to the difficulty we had to convert the seat frames from newer style to the older style. They turned out great. This was pretty much the only thing out sourced on my restoration and I felt it was money well spent.

Gil
Gil
1964 230SL Standard

col320ce

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Re: Early 230SL seat re-shaping
« Reply #3 on: February 22, 2021, 05:59:36 »
I ended up using the originals with extra support. I felt I was more likely to make a mess with cutting the replacement pads. I'll see how they look and feel after a bit of use... I may end up trying to reshape them at a later date but they look and feel pretty good at the moment.
Col

1964 230SL
1965 250SE coupe
1993 320CE Sportline

Nicolas Aristodemou

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  • 280SL Auto 1970 W113, 380SL Auto 1982 R107
Re: Early 230SL seat re-shaping
« Reply #4 on: March 08, 2021, 03:55:33 »
I think KHM in Germany will provide you with an excellent replacement seat and seat back. They are made of a formed polyurethane and horsehair blended together. They provide excellent support. I would recommend getting the covers also from them since they are a perfect match.
Nicolas Aristodemou
Nicosia - CYPRUS
280SL Auto 1970 US spec (W113), 380SL 1982 R107, Citroen DS23 Pallas 1973, Triumph TR4 1963, Triumph Stag 1973, Mini Cooper S Mk1
1965, Jaguar 3.8 Mk2 1962, VW Beetle 1978 Karman Converible, 1987 Ferrari 328GTS