275GTB Seat Material Question | FerrariChat

275GTB Seat Material Question

Discussion in 'Vintage (thru 365 GTC4)' started by d.brum, Apr 17, 2010.

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  1. d.brum

    d.brum Rookie

    Apr 4, 2008
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    Ithaca, NY
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    David Brumsted
    #1 d.brum, Apr 17, 2010
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Greetings; I would like confirmation from the experts as to whether the vinyl basket-weave center seat insert material is original to the seats from my GTB (06983). I've taken them to an upholsterer who examined the stitching and believes that this is the case. The vinyl material has degraded to the point where it can't be reused. I have seen pictures of seats of this type with cloth inserts, and would prefer to use that material when the seats are restored. Is there a present day source for the cloth material that would match seats of the leather/cloth type? Thanks for your input. Dave B.
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  2. 275GTB

    275GTB Formula 3

    Jan 12, 2010
    1,967
    London
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    Mark McCracken
    Hi, from your chassis number your car is a very early 275GTB. My car is slightly later 156th production, but still a shortnose.
    My seats were originally vinyl - of the exact same design as your seats in the picture, with the perforated weave finish - my seats had black center sections and red side bolsters.
    I have an old photograph that i will find and scan for you, but if you have Keith Blummel's V12 Ferrari book, there is a very good photograph of a silver 275GTB with a black and red interior (identical to mine) - it shows very clearly the weave finish on the centre sections.
    My car has just arrived in Italy for restoration, they are still doing the initial assessment - one of the things I want during the restoration is the seats returned to original - I will let you know if they are able to do this as soon as I know.
    regards
    mark
     
  3. Ed Niles

    Ed Niles Formula 3
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    Sep 7, 2004
    2,493
    West Hills, CA
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    Edwin K. Niles
    #3 Ed Niles, Apr 19, 2010
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Here's a shot of 6935 (sorry about the quality). It was a grey fabric, not vinyl. I'm not sure how much uniformity existed in those days; I suspect it was more a matter of what was available, or what some dealer ordered.
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  4. d.brum

    d.brum Rookie

    Apr 4, 2008
    9
    Ithaca, NY
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    David Brumsted
    Mark and Ed; Thanks for the replies. The fact of the matter is that I'd rather sit on leather w/cloth than leather w/plastic. It may be sacrilegious to some, but I'm going to go for the cloth inserts even though it may not be original to the car. I just saw a copy of Cavallino #173 with article about GTB # 06449 - here again with cloth inserts and like Ed's car, in a contrasting color. The material looks like corduroy. I guess the next question will be what color cloth with the red leather. I'd still be interested to know if anyone has recently sourced a material that matches an original sample. Thanks again, Dave B.
     
  5. Rubi

    Rubi Formula Junior

    May 4, 2009
    404
    Pacific Northwest
    Not a criticism but if you're going with something that's not original why not just go with leather?
     
  6. John Vardanian

    John Vardanian F1 Rookie

    Jul 1, 2004
    3,080
    San Francisco Area
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    John Vardanian
    Hi David,

    My friend's car had those types of seats. A photo of his car's interior ended up on Page 31 of Keith Bluemel's "Original Ferrari V12 1965-1973". It's a nice book to collect. Incidentally, the early Miuras almost all had these hideous covers in the centers of the seats.

    In some ways, the advent of the 275 model seems to mark Ferrari's quest for cutting corners: Fibreglass replaces metal, Borranis disappear, vinyl covers areas that used to be covered in leather, cast suspension gives way to stamped sheet metal, and on.

    john
     
  7. 275GTB

    275GTB Formula 3

    Jan 12, 2010
    1,967
    London
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    Mark McCracken
    Hi sorry to go off the context of the original thread, but where in a 275 is fiberglass used, I recently stripped one and did not see it? unless it is under the interior covering, which i did not take out.
    As far as I am aware, Borrani's were available on all 275's, as was leather, you just had to opt for it.
    A few firsts on the 275 for a road going Ferrari - independent rear suspension, alloy wheels, rear mounted transaxle - sure there are a few more.
     
  8. buurman

    buurman Formula Junior

    Sep 21, 2004
    267
    Full Name:
    cornelis leendert
    Hi John,
    Not everything in the past is or was better.
    This design is of the 50th.
    Scaglietti simply put the seat of the TDF in the GTB.
    Lusso chairs are very similar.
    Its a pity that this kind of orignality is disssapiering at new owners.
    ther are good reasons NOT to do this:

    1. full leather is very slippery at hard cornerdriving
    2. It does not adsorb heavy excessive sweating.Those man were working at the TDF.
    3. Its not so cold every morning on my backbone and ash.

    I think every 250GTO has this combination fabric/cloth and leather

    Cornelis
     
  9. buurman

    buurman Formula Junior

    Sep 21, 2004
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    cornelis leendert
    #9 buurman, Apr 20, 2010
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    John,
    in the 60th and 70th sheepskin covers were very popular.
    warm in winter and not burning you back in high summer.
    here a pic of these org" hideous covers" without sheepskin.

    all the best

    Cornelis
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  10. Edward 96GTS

    Edward 96GTS F1 World Champ
    Silver Subscribed

    Nov 1, 2003
    11,098
    cornelis,
    you have a great photo reference of history. are these your personal cars? thanks for sharing your knowledge and contributions.
    ed
     
  11. lancia

    lancia Formula Junior

    Jan 18, 2004
    576
    Torque tube 275GTB has fiberglass floor and I think footwells too.
     
  12. BIGHORN

    BIGHORN In Memoriam

    Sep 18, 2006
    733
    FLORIDA/NEW MEXICO
    Full Name:
    JOHN F KELLY
  13. buurman

    buurman Formula Junior

    Sep 21, 2004
    267
    Full Name:
    cornelis leendert
    #13 buurman, Apr 20, 2010
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Hi ,
    exactly the same material can be found on the 1957 #0763gt TDF.
    This car has an unrestaurated interior and is highly orgiginal except the nose.

    Cornelis
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  14. 275GTB

    275GTB Formula 3

    Jan 12, 2010
    1,967
    London
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    Mark McCracken
    That will be why i never found any fiberglass on my car, I have an early shortnose with the plumbing pipe as a prop shaft! Mine is definitely a steel floor, unless fiberglass rusts!
    I have never dabbled in such modern exotica as a later car with a torque tube.

    cheers Mark
     

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