Aircooled VW South Africa

Hi all,

I have a '70 Westfalia with the 1/3, 2/3 bench. My Westy did not have VW seats when I got it and I set out to find "original" seats.
I searched around and collected old seats from double cabs and what ever else I could find in that config. Unfortunately I don't know the years they came from and how the different years differ.

As I need to get covers I need to know if they will fit. i.e. I read you get closed back and open back. I also used the seat base with adjustment which I think might be a later model. For the bench I would require open back to latch at the top as the bottom fits into grooves on either side.
I could post pictures if required.

Thanks for reading and hopefully replies.

Alan

Allan
Not a Kombi Guru at all but Are You going to make covers that go over existing upholstery to protect or re upholstering?

You could always buy for protection some nice ones at retails shops or spare shop and just customize those for protection. Think that will work out a lot cheaper.

Yes slide adjustable driver seat can have full cover
Passenger 2/3 has to be open for those clips or you could just cut and seam in some nice holes where those clips go is suppose.

Post Some pics so we can see your end result please.

Post pics of seat rails to give us an idea on advice to help you with



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From the sideline, it looks like Alan is looking for info about how the correct original 1970- specific Westfalia front seats looks like.

Those had a non-walkthrough front setup like most split kombis or bay doublecabs. Third width driver's seat, two thirds seat for 2 front passengers. Reason for this was that Westfalia version now had space for spare wheel underneath, like bay doublecabs. So no need to mount tyre outside in front.

Thanks for the replies guys.
Dawie is correct I need to identify the correct seats to be able to order the correct covers. I already have new horsehair (which could be incorrect for my seats)
Let's start with the bench: And the drivers seat: Here I had two different backs and fixed one. Probably a later model that '70. One can see the frame at the back is a wire one one and a profile on the other.

Really appreciate your comments.
BTW. I have no covers at all. What you see is all I have except the new horsehair which is still in boxes.

Any verdict as to what year the seats are?

Hi Alan

There are 2 types of seats.

Baywindow from 1968 to 1974. This has the backrest adjustment with the round turn knob under the seat. The profile of the seat is quite flat.


Baywindow from 1975 to 1979. - These have a different track with the backrest adjustment lever on the hinge corner side. These seats have a deeper more bucket type profile.

They are not interchangeable.

With regards to the 2/3 seat, I cant recall if there are differences between single cab, busses and westies, but I believe them to be the same for the same year models.

That looks like the correct 2/3 seat for your westy.

Driver's seat as Sean says; you want the one with the wheel to adjust backrest angle.

Awesome, thanks guys. Seems like I have the correct stuff then.
The 2/3 I am happy with, the drivers seat has the round turning knob. I was worried that the backrest was a different shape to the original '70 model.
The old seatcovers that I got with the old seats are so hard and they hardly fit over the frame prompting me to doubt the frames.
BTW, Fig has your Westy also got the turn knob for adjustment?
This would mean the backrest cover goes to the bottom?
I think one of the sets I got must have been from a splitty? This backrest was only covered part of the back.

AlanH wrote: ↑Tue Oct 29, 2019 2:02 pm BTW, Fig has your Westy also got the turn knob for adjustment?
This would mean the backrest cover goes to the bottom?
I think one of the sets I got must have been from a splitty? This backrest was only covered part of the back.

Hi Alan

Just be sure you don't have a split bus or Fleetline driver's seat. The Fleetline seat has a small adjustment know, much like the heater knob on an early Beetle. The baywindow adjusting knob is bigger.

AFAIK, all driver's seats have a fully upholstered backrest.

Cool thanks the adjustment knob I have is about 80mm in diameter would think that is the larger one.

Just to put your mind at ease, here are some pics of the seats on my 1970 westy.

Thank you Sean,
I have two questions.
On the drivers seat is the rear top part of the seat a wire or is it solid. See my pictures of the seats above. Seems yours might be solid.
Secondly is that the original floor mat between the seats in front of the spare wheel? Those are like hens teeth. I am going to a place today that makes composites for molds etc. Will ask if they have something to be able to reproduce the mat. Will then just need a sample.

Thanks,
Alan

BTW. If anyone knows of covers like these in the photos I would be grateful for the lead.
And that small knob i front of the spare wheel, is that the original choke?

AlanH wrote: ↑Thu Oct 31, 2019 7:02 am Thank you Sean,
I have two questions.
On the drivers seat is the rear top part of the seat a wire or is it solid. See my pictures of the seats above. Seems yours might be solid.
Secondly is that the original floor mat between the seats in front of the spare wheel? Those are like hens teeth. I am going to a place today that makes composites for molds etc. Will ask if they have something to be able to reproduce the mat. Will then just need a sample.

Thanks,
Alan

BTW. If anyone knows of covers like these in the photos I would be grateful for the lead.
And that small knob i front of the spare wheel, is that the original choke?

I will check on the backrest for you.

The rubber mat over the spare wheel is no longer intact, 2 pieces are broken and missing. I don't have a perfect one. I also believe there are no replacements available.

The small black knob is for the heater controls. It is to open/close the vent which blows to the back. All baywindows had electric choke.

Thank you appreciate it.