[bad]

I need to redo the seats in my 69 XR7 vert. The originals are leather(white). Price is substantialy different(375 vs 950 -1100min) for just the buckets. Rktmn prefers leather because of the look, feel, etc. John's cougars puts vinyl in his driver & Ken's cougar prefers leather. I personally have never owned a leather interior, so I don't have a clue to maintenance, etc. Can anyone else share their experience? Sure I would like to keep it leather, but the price!!! Also, is it more difficult to install leather covers over vinyl? I have not redone any seats yet.
Thanks all for sharing! Bob

 

[itow]

I'd like to hear opinions on this as well. I am going to be re-covering the seats for my 67 in a month or so and have to make a decision (but unless there's some REAL good opinions on the leather, financials will limit me to vinyl!!!)

Scott

 

[69SCODE]

You can get repro leather seat covers for less, I have heard the autokrafters are pretty good. I have a set of vinyl seats right now and I'm going to use them untill I recover the xr7 seats. as far as care, you should use leather conditioner and cleaner. There is something about leather seats that is a real nice feel. Good luck.

 

[droptopcat70]

I put a set of repo vinyl`s in my 70 convertible, the difference is the material, there are a few ways to keep the condition of leather in good shape from dryrotting out, and cracking.Where the vinyl you can use a soft rag and some soap and clean them and use a little armour all and they be in ok condition. I was thinking of putting leather in my 70 eliminator but thought after a while , i live in florida and it gets really hot and i dont feel like burning my legs and butt and back off sitting on a hot seat..Not to mention pricewise as well its more in leather then vinyl.
thanks
pat

 

[Royce Peterson]

Auto Krafters only offers vinyl XR-7 seat upholstery.

 

[jimk351c]

As I recall, John's Cougars offers leather.

 

[69SCODE]

I thought autokrafters did, I guess I'll stick with my vinyl seats for a while longer, 1000 bucks for leather is going to take some time.

 

[catman]

leather vs vinyl seats???

Leather has a big advantage over vinyl or cloth. It's the only one that doesn't obsorb odors or stains and is water proof.
Leather is actually easier to maintain.

 

[ssmorby]

Leather vs Vinyl

I had torn up leather in my previous Cougar. My new one has vinyl replacements and they are just fine. There is nothing like real leather but for me, the cost was not worth it. The vinyl has correct grain and whatnot and looks better than torn up leather

 

[wvcat]

I had cracked leather in wvcat and couldn't afford to replace it with leather so I installed the vinyl from autokrafters. I am very pleased with the vinyl and it looks 100% better. check out my page to see a pic.
John
wvcat

 

[xr7gt]

Vinyl is good for me as well.
My XR7GT I would probably have gone w/ leather eventually had I still owned it. $1350 is a lot of money for the 67 Xr7 Saddle Leather. I only want the skin not the whole cow, right?

 

[bad]

Boy, you got that right!!! I guess that I still am having a real hard time with seat recovering costing more then half of my body, paint work. Granted, the body will not be "concours" but the work has been first rate for a driver. Not to mention the fact that my wife will want something comparable "pricewise" for her hobbies.
However, I plan on going to Columbus for the swap meet(my 1st ever), so I might not have to worry about making a decision due to lack of funds once I return! lol! Bob