| Author | Message | ||
| Eric Eiland (Eric308gtsiqv)
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Just wanted to follow up and let everybody know that the seatcovers are finally installed. The manufacturer told me that the covers would come with velcro seams around the headrests (so they would not have to be removed). Unfortunately, the covers arrived without the velcro option! Just my luck, I guess. Did try one more time removing the headrests, but still was unsuccessful. Even partially removed one of the seatbacks, but still couldn't access any internal release. Finally ended up cutting slits into the top of the covers and slipping them over. Still trying to decide whether to hand stitch the seam back together or use velcro. The seams are staying together as is, so I won't worry too much about it for now. One thing is for certain -- there's not a whole lot of room underneath those seats! My cut up hands and arms are testament to this fact. Sure do sit up higher and closer to the roof now -- it's a good thing I'm not very tall. Have a merry Christmas! | ||
| Eric Eiland (Eric308gtsiqv)
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Thanks, magoo, for the follow up on the headrest dilemma; and thanks to everyone who has offered suggestions, experiences, and input on this one! I never was able to successfully release the headrests simply by pushing on the back of the seat -- apparently, my seatbacks are to firm. Plan "B" was to follow the consensus and remove the seatback via pop rivets. But first I placed a call to Rocky Mountain Sheepskin to order the seatcovers.... They were aware of the fact that the headrests were not easily removed from many Ferrari vehicles; therefore, they manufacture their covers with sewn in velcro closures to facilitate the installation -- which is what I was considering doing in the first place. So, it appears that the problem is solved for now. The covers should arrive before Christmas. When they do, I'll let everybody know just how they turn out. | ||
| magoo (Magoo)
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Hey Eric, What did you find re: the removal of the headrests? Just curious. | ||
| Erik Jonsson (Gamester)
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On my 82 308, the seat backs were flexible enough to press on the release. It is a stiff piece of wire(spring steel) that catches the detent on the bottom of the headrest rod. I was able to work the headrest in a circular motion to get the left side to release, then it was a matter of pressing about 8cm down the back to locate and disengage the right spring. GT car parts has new sleeves for under $5 ea. | ||
| Eric Eiland (Eric308gtsiqv)
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Wow! You all have enlightened me on many of the ways to approach this. I have no reservations now about ordering the seatcovers. Edward -- thanks for the info on the headrest embroidery -- think I'll look into that since the headrests will be exposed. The embroidery provides a nice visual contrast (especially since the "embossed" horse is all but faded away). If I do end up removing the back seat panels, I'll try your tip first by using trim screws (since they'll be covered anyhow) -- sure will make it easier to do this again in the future. You read my mind, Peter -- I'm not that enthusiastic about dismantling my F-car :-) | ||
| Edward Gault (Irfgt)
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The headrests were done by taking a piece if the leather to an embrodry, embrodrie, embrodery, Hell, I can't spell it, shop and have them sew the horse into it. I then took the material back to the trim shop to fabricate it as a headrest cover. My seat backs were originally rivited on but we used trim screws to replace them and they look great to me. By the way many shops that do custom Embrodery can also do Ferrari shields on clothing as well as on leather seats. There are "Under the table" programs for these patterns. | ||
| '75 308 GT4 (Peter)
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I don't mean to ruin your fun discovering ways on how to take your Ferrari apart Eric, but wouldn't it just be easier and better to modify the cover, as what you said a few postings ago? Just a matter of cutting the top and you can sew in a zipper or velcro flap. | ||
| Eric Eiland (Eric308gtsiqv)
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Thanks again, Magoo... I'll follow your advice and use the rivet removal procedure. | ||
| magoo (Magoo)
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To answer your other question the earlier 308s have the hardbacks also and are pop riveted. | ||
| magoo (Magoo)
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Eric, Do it the right way. Carefully drill out the pop rivets and when you put them back just go to the hardware store buy a pop rivet tool and the correct rivets and re-install. That way you haven't forced anything and you can see what you are doing. | ||
| Eric Eiland (Eric308gtsiqv)
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Sorry...no luck pulling them out :-( Pulled upwards with both arms, but 1-1/2" is all they'll go (without tearing something up perhaps). Maybe it's the fact that this vehicle is an '85 QV with hard seatbacks like the newer 328's? Just grasping for straws here, as I've never seen an "earlier" model 308's seats personally. | ||
| Eric Eiland (Eric308gtsiqv)
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Thanks, Edward for the info. -- I'll run out in the garage and give it a try right now -- wish me luck! By the way...fine looking 308 you have yourself there! I really like the "dark" prancing horses on the headrests -- how did you do that, if you don't mind me asking? It really adds a nice touch. | ||
| Edward Gault (Irfgt)
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The headrests can be removed by pulling straight up with a strong force. The nylon guides are inexpensive from T.Rutlands if they should break. I replaced mine when we did my seats.  | ||
| Eric Eiland (Eric308gtsiqv)
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You're precisely correct, Magoo...I checked / tried to find a release, but to no avail. The hard backing must be removed (via pop rivet removal) in order to access the seat insides -- what a bummer! I also tried raising the headrest as high as it would go. Only got it up about 1-1/2" high, and no further. I'm not certain as to what affect this will have on possibly covering the seats (sans headrest). Looks like I'll need to give Rocky Mountain Sheepskin a call tomorrow and find out the particulars. Push come to shove, I could "slit" the covers at the headrest bars, and then re-sew the slits back together on the backs -- this would still enable me to pull the cover up from the bottom so as to condition the leather periodically. Has anyone succesfully covered their 308 seatbacks (not the headrests) with seatcovers? Just curious. | ||
| magoo (Magoo)
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Eric, If you find the button let us know because the seatback on the 308 GTS is a hard backing and no way can you push through that to hit a release button. I think pop rivet removal is the way to removing them. I would be interested in your findings. | ||
| Eric Eiland (Eric308gtsiqv)
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Thanks all for the suggestions and "heads-up" on this topic. I tugged a little harder on one of the headrests last night, and it did raise one notch -- but boy are they stiff! I'm hoping that the seat covers that I'm considering won't require a headrest removal in order to fit them over the seats. Someone did mention that there is a "release mechanism" approximately 8 inches or so down from where the headrest bars go into the seat (inside the rear of the seat). Apparently, pressing this release will allow you to adjust the headrest -- and possibly remove them as well? Haven't tried it yet, but will tonight. I'll keep you posted. | ||
| Mike Grande (Grande)
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Hi guys, I am in the middle of an interior restoration on a 328 and I have a little experience with these darn headrests. Magoo is correct in that you have to pop the rivets and go into the innards to get the headrests completely out. PITA if you ask me. Regards, Mike | ||
| david schirmer (David)
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Eric, one of my headrests was stuck to the seat back like you describe. It took some gentle prying to get the leather unstuck. I would guess you are right about too much leatherique over the years. I am not sure about whether you can remove the headrest. I've never tried it. I have seen reupholstered seats though, so I would suspect that the headrest can be removed. | ||
| magoo (Magoo)
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Eric, I haven't found a way to remove them either. There is no button to push on the seat back of a 308 GTS so I think to remove them completely you would have to remove the pop rivets from the seatback and work on it internally. | ||
| Eric Eiland (Eric308gtsiqv)
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Wow...that was a dumb question, wasn't it! Did a little more research: (1) various pics on my hard drive show 308's with headrests at different heights, and (2) my 1978 version Parts Manual (sure wish it was a 1985 QV version!) also depicts the headrest mount "bars" with notches...so it's obvious now that they can be adjusted, and possibly removed entirely. Mine must be stuck for some reason -- guess I'll have to cross my fingers tonight and give them a huge tug. Sorry for the dumb question, though! | ||
| Eric Eiland (Eric308gtsiqv)
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This is probably a dumb question, but can the headrests be adjusted / removed from the seatbacks in a 308? The reason I ask is that I'm contemplating tailormade sheepskin covers for just the seats & backs, but not the headrests. I tried pulling up on them last night, but they didn't want to move except about 1/16th of an inch (perhaps they're all gummed up from too much Leatherique :-)). I was afraid to really yank on them for fear of any terrible consequences. Thanks for any help. |