356 GT vs 911 GT "Ferrari" seat comparison

[jimhuiz]

I've been on the search for a pair of 911 GT seats (aka "Ferrari") seats for years. In that process I temporarily ended up with a pair of original 356 GT seats and a single original 911 GT seat, all with original upholstery. I know there are a few threads out there about these seats and certainly some confusion around what's the same and what's different. I thought I'd try to clarify with the following images:

First image requires a bit of explanation. Depicted are both seats side by side with two measurements. The 20 3/4" measurement was done over the upholstery but from metal ridge to metal ridge at the first seam in the bolsters. This required wrapping the tape around the curve of each bolster but proved to be a reproducible location and method for each seat. The leg measurements are bolt hole to bolt hole.

The rest of the images are labeled and self-explanatory.

Hope this helps those who think they might have one or the other. Missing are the measurements at the same points for a 356 speedster seat but perhaps someone can add that data.

Best,

Jim H.

[Cliff]

Thanks for the education & pictures, too..I have been waiting for these to fall into my lap for years! They are rare! I asked a seat guy if he would be willing to reproduce these and he said he didn't think there was enough interest!....I think there would be a few people interested..cliff

[jimhuiz]

Jim,
Is the back of the 911 version truly a perlon? I always thought it was a short (or worn) velour. From the looks of it, it appears to have a pretty distinct weave.

Eric

I may be confusing my terms...a short nap velour could describe it better than perlon. In fact, that sounds better and more accurate.

Truth be told...I haven't seen perlon and was assuming this was it. Perhaps it is more accurate to say "not square weave"...

[jimhuiz]

Here is a close up of the front and back of the "Perlon".

Thoughts?

Jim

[911kiwi]

Hi Jim,
My thoughts are the same as Eric, looks like velour.
Perlon doesn't have a carpet-like backing. Perlon is similar to the grey felt-type lining of the luggage compartment, and was used instead of carpeting in the 912s, as the standard offering in the 911T and as a lightweight alternative in the Carrera RSL.
Thanks for the side by side comparison. Subtle yet distinct differences.

[jimhuiz]

Velour it is then, original pics updated. Next question...was this velour used in other applications as well or unique to these seats?

[acoupe]

Jim.......what makes your 356 Speedster seat a "GT" seat? Is it aluminum or steel? How is it different from a standard 356A Speedster seat? I measured my original Speedster seat and it measures 20"-21" width.

[jimhuiz]

Jim.......what makes your 356 Speedster seat a "GT" seat? Is it aluminum or steel? How is it different from a standard 356A Speedster seat? I measured my original Speedster seat and it measures 20"-21" width.

My understanding is a GT seat in either the 356 or 911 is about 1" wider than a 356 speedster seat. I don't have one to measure but if you could measure by hooking the tape measure over the edge at the first bolster seam (furthest forward) and then wrap the tape measure across the seat (around the bolster) to the first bolster seam on the other side and measure the distance to the edge, that would duplicate the technique I used.

[jimhuiz]

I added a picture of an original 911 GT seat with a perlon backing.

Thanks to our resident expert Don Ahearn for clarifying...turns out if the car was an "S" spec then the back of the seat was velour and if the car was a lower spec with perlon carpeting then perlon backing. Makes sense, floor covering = seat backing.

For me, my TA car came with a simplified interior from the factory (912 spec) so I'd need perlon backed seats.

[acoupe]

My seat measures 17 1/2" outside to outside on the bases.....where the rails mount. Top at 1st seam 20 3/4" like you measure.....see pics