Understanding Scheel seats for Porsche 914, 914-6, There are a lot of threads, not a lot of answers… Options

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I just found a pair of Scheel seats for my 914 that I couldn't pass up. They are thought to have never been installed, and the underside and 914 seat rails suggest that might be true. The little damage that the seats do have topside looks like it could indeed be shop wear. Whatever the case, the price was right and the corduroy looked good, so I decided to buy them.

I've sat in Scheels here and there over the years, and some seemed really nice while others were pretty tight. Well, wouldn't you know it: The one wearing the driver's side 914 seat rails is very nice but a bit tight while the one wearing passenger seat rails is loooooovely. That's funny, as taking a tape measure to the width of the seat centers suggests it should be the other way around. And that's when I started to notice the differences between the heights of the pleats in both the back rests and the seat bottoms.

But both seats have 914 headrests that exactly match the material on the bolsters and backs (which looks super original and in generally great shape...in line with the underside of the seats) and both seats came on 914 seat rails that look like they could be NOS. I know all that may not prove much, but…

I've looked through a lot of threads on Scheel seats, and looked around the internet too. Not a lot of great information so far—though maybe you know a better source? Gerrit looks to have let his website go, and the Scheel Austria site seems to be focused on later Scheel seats for Ford Escorts, etc. Any go-to sites or experts now?

I will be installing these seats in my 1973 914 in the weeks to come, and will report back about fit with the factory back pad. And while the corduroy is nice now, I am thinking about buying some of the stuff used in the 991.2 GT3 Touring, as it looks very similar but is sure to be quite a bit more durable given modern wear requirements.

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They mystery with these seats (mostly in that one is more comfortable than the other) continues.

Stopped by Franzini Bros, a well-liked upholstery show around here, to discuss addressing the bolster damage. Looking at pics, one of the brothers noted that one or both may have been opened up due to the hooks in different colors—noting that a lot of shops don't have the right tools and you end up with rusty hooks. Back home and looking at the hooks...the "rusty" ones appear to be copper, while the others are stainless or galvanized. Going to bring both over to get some eyes that "see" things with seats I'm sure I'll miss. Beginning to wonder if these are both 114s, and one was widened. If so, the other is getting widened. On the other hand, the seat back and seat bottom "breaks" in the corduroy are different.

On a separate note, he said Scheels always were a cut below the standard setter of the era (Recaro), and that the problem with the corduroy on Scheels getting loose really starts with the underlayment. Interested to see what he sees and says about this pair of Scheels...as I am with Wes: Period Scheels are VERY comfortable, and I like the big bolsters and quality just fine. Also like that they are period correct.