Seats

Problem: This was our biggest problem. First off, the seats that were installed in the wagon when we got it were wrong. The front bench appeared to be from a 1969 or 1970 model, and even though it fit in the car, the seatback was too high and it had period-incorrect headrests. The lower seat cushion for the back seat was also wrong and didn’t fit properly. The only part of the seats that was original was the fold-down back cushion, which retained its original upholstery.

Solution: Have the seats redone with reproduction or custom seat covers.

What We Did: We trekked up to Memory Lane Collector Car Dismantlers, where we found a correct front bench seat from a 1966 Bel Air sedan and a lower rear cushion in a 1970 Impala wagon that fit; the set cost $125, but the front bench had already been reupholstered in light aqua vinyl and gray tweed that was nearly new and almost matched the interior of the Bel Air. Eventually we’ll have the front and rear seats reupholstered with N.O.S. material from Ciadella or C.A.R.S. Inc to re-create a vintage look.