Any ideas about these seats?

[1974Carrera]

Hey all, not sure what seats I have here and trying to decide if they are worth restoring. I'm the second owner of a 1974 Carrera I bought 24 years ago. The previous owner had done some mods to the car back in the '80s (replaced engine with a 930/10 ROW sourced from Olaf Lang at Porsche, Germany, and installed by Anderson-Behel Porsche where his father, Paul Lang, worked; also has a Carrera 3.0 whale tail...dunno when that was sourced and installed), but the seats remain a mystery. I think they are Recaros but have never seen the lower bracket on any examples online. And I'm assuming the top post is missing a big, round knob to adjust the shoulder area (any idea where you can find those)? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Oh...my Porsche Production Specifications doc shows that the car was built 10/73 and came with "Sport Seats - L/R". Thanks!

[1974Carrera]

After a more exhaustive search, I did find the lower bracket style in Show Your Seats on page 85. However, the backs and bolsters on my seats still appear to be different than shown...

https://www.early911sregistry.org/fo...ghlight=recaro

So, still looking for any info the experts here might have to offer.

[recarno]

hi, you have an early Recaro ideal LS. take a look at page 86 of the old thread you quoted. You can see your seat (the middle one) in the Recaro brochure I have shown.

regards uwe

[1974Carrera]

I had an idea you would reply, Uwe! Thank you. I guess I didn't zoom in close enough! So, am I correct that this would be an aftermarket Recaro Ideal LS...not a factory option but period-correct for a 1974 Carrera? And would you say they are valuable enough to warrant a restoration? Also, any idea where I might find replacement parts? Both shoulder adjustment knobs are missing as well as the backrest adjustment dial on the passenger seat (appears to be broken off). Again, than you so much for your reply and expertise.

[recarno]

hi, so that you don't have to ruin your eyes when zooming in, here is a data sheet for your seat from October 1974. Otherwise, unfortunately I can't help you much, as my collection from 1966 - 1973 does not include such newer seats. Of course, you can no longer order any parts from the manufacturer; your only hope is to find a defective seat as a parts carrier. I hope I could be of some help.

regards uwe

[1974Carrera]

You have been immense help, Uwe. Greatly appreciated. You think the seats are worth refinishing or would you be inclined to sell them as-is and buy some nice replica Porsche-style sport seats (BF Torino, Vintage Seats, Classic Touring Seats, etc.)? Unfortunately, the price of authentic Porsche sport seats from this period are way too much money for me to spend unless I'm doing a proper (and expensive) restoration of the whole car.

[recarno]

Unfortunately I can't tell you anything about the value of these seats - not my collecting area, sorry - but I think that a complete reupholstery and a parts search will unfortunately exceed the value. You have to finally decide whether it's worth it to you.

your other question: I generally don't believe in replica seats :-)

regards uwe

[1974Carrera]

Great. Thanks again, Uwe. Kind of figured you weren't a fan of replicas! ;-)

[joegt3cup]

I'd restore these seats as they have been with the car a long time and go with the period upgrades.

[1974Carrera]

Yeah, it's a hard call, Joe. On the one hand I do want to keep the seats because, well, they were presumably added to the car in period, and I've connected with the previous owner's son (his father has passed). And the "upgrades" done to the car were done—correctly—by someone who knew what they were doing. On the other hand, they were/are not original to the car and, by many accounts, not that "special". Yet again, on the other hand (yes...I have three hands), they are INSANELY comfortable and supportive. Probably some of the best seats I have ever had in any vehicle...including three other Porsches. I'm also not made of money and don't want to throw good money at bad. My Carrera is a survivor and will probably always remain that way. I appreciate a beautiful, correct, restoration but, to me, there's also something beautiful about a car that wears its age. I don't know. I'm in no hurry to get rid of them—I have a set of Cobra Classic RS seats I got from a very generous Porsche Club member as temporary replacements, but it all comes down to cost and effort in order to find the parts to refurbish the Recaros. I'll update here depending on if/when I decide to restore them. Or sell them. Stay tuned...