Unobtanium Obtained (painfully)

[Maddog101]

My 20+ yr abandoned outside, topless, weather-beaten '72 Blazer:

Well, it would indeed be accurate to say I was very disappointed when I stripped the rotten seat covers off the bucket seats only to find the seat frames in poor condition. It would also be accurate to say I was even more disappointed to find only two sets of '72 bucket seat frames for sale across the entire continental US and they were quite ...ahem... PRICEY.

However, while perusing Craigslist and searching for "Blazer Parts," I saw an ad with a pic of a few odd a/c looking brackets. I clicked on the ad and saw there were additional pages/photos, and one of the photos displayed a pair of '72 seats and a console (in Houston ~3 hrs away).

Sadly, for me, the seller knew what he had, and the price was more than I paid for the entire abandoned Blazer (which granted wasn't very much). However, that was completely immaterial to the wife as she gave me the ole "eye roll" when I told her what I paid.....). My view.... she shouldn't have asked, right??? lol

Anyway, at least I now have something with which to work.... This little budget build is surely taking a wild turn....




(On Day One.... original seats)







The "new" stuff ......





And now, where's my upholsterer's hat ????

 

[KenzK5]

Congrats on what You have and what to work with. Now the Fun Begins!

 

[Wes Harden]

I take it you didn't tell her about the 6 figure sales of k5's on Barret Jackson
Congrats on a good find

 

[Maddog101]

For some strange reason Wes, she doubts my ability to restore this truck to a level that will increase its value 266.67 times what I paid for it! LOL

 

[Wes Harden]

Idk those 2 vettes looking pretty sweet

 

[Smupser]

I mean are the frames completely rusted through to the point that a good sandblasting wouldnt clean them up and if a couple pieces needed to be welded, so be it?

 

[matzell]

So for the unknown, what are seats going for these days?

 

[Maddog101]

I mean are the frames completely rusted through to the point that a good sandblasting wouldnt clean them up and if a couple pieces needed to be welded, so be it?

Here's what I've got. I only uncovered the passenger seat. They are fixable, but it's gonna take a lot of work and creativity.... I'll have a better idea of how to do it after I strip down the "new" seats for re-upholstering, and get a good look at what the frames are supposed to look like.....

 

[Maddog101]

So for the unknown, what are seats going for these days?

It's the old "what one person will give and what the other will take!" I've seen them for $1,000 up to $5,000. I don't mind admitting I paid $3,700 for the seats, console, passenger seat latch mechanism, and a steering wheel and full correct steering column. I know that's a lot of dough for these items, but I got to put my peepers and hands on 'em, didn't have to pay for tax or shipping, and only had to drive 2 1/2 hrs to get them. Plus, I don't have to search anymore....

 

[Big10]

hey look at it his way, in a few weeks you'll find something else to throw a couple grand at and you will forget about what the seats cost.

 

[Maddog101]

hey look at it his way, in a few weeks you'll find something else to throw a couple grand at and you will forget about what the seats cost.

Ain't THAT the truth!!!!

 

[Smupser]

Here's what I've got. I only uncovered the passenger seat. They are fixable, but it's gonna take a lot of work and creativity.... I'll have a better idea of how to do it after I strip down the "new" seats for re-upholstering, and get a good look at what the frames are supposed to look like.....


View attachment 439705View attachment 439706View attachment 439707View attachment 439708

Ok, those definitely are pretty bad. Looks like the majority of the rust is on the side skirts. Theres a guy who reproduces the side skirts for taking 73+ low backs and converting them to 69-72 style frames. I could ask him if he has any or knows where to get them?

 

[Maddog101]

Ok, those definitely are pretty bad. Looks like the majority of the rust is on the side skirts. Theres a guy who reproduces the side skirts for taking 73+ low backs and converting them to 69-72 style frames. I could ask him if he has any or knows where to get them?

Man! I would surely appreciate that! Working on these old vettes, I've become pretty good at working with fiberglass and was thinking about making laminate panels for the skirts, but if I could get steel, I'd surely jump on that! Thank you for your help! Also, I'm hoping there's enough solid metal remaining (to weld to) at the cross bar location at the lumbar area where the original crossbar disintegrated.... I wonder if this guy has a solution for that as well???

 

[radzzz1972k5]

You would be very surprised at what you can do at home. Dan Martin showed me how to put seat cover kits on at his shop. I did the ones in the corvette. Got the kit from LMC for the K5. Did the passenger seat. Looks pretty good. Did the Cheyenne too. They also sell the new plastic seat backs.

 

[Maddog101]

You would be very surprised at what you can do at home. Dan Martin showed me how to put seat cover kits on at his shop. I did the ones in the corvette. Got the kit from LMC for the K5. Did the passenger seat. Looks pretty good. Did the Cheyenne too. They also sell the new plastic seat backs.

Yeah, what ever I do, it will definitely be done by me at home. Your work looks very, very good.... love the tan/brown interior with the Medium Bronze.... I might give you a shout when I tackle the re-upholstery... ATM, I'm tearing out the inner cowl and lower cowl panels.... They were more rotten than the seats! LOL

 

[radzzz1972k5]

I like helping. [email protected]

 

[radzzz1972k5]

This place has great parts!

 

[Wes Harden]

Yeah what did you order and how is is it ?

 

[radzzz1972k5]

I ordered the carpet hold down trim for the front and back. Only place I could find it at the time.

 

[radzzz1972k5]

Lee. Just saw your YouTube video. Episodes 1 and 2. Excellent. I'll make sure to subscribe!