My '65 1800S has the same front seats that came with the car when I took delivery on the dock in San Pedro over 35 years ago. While that is great for authenticity it is not so great for comfort or safety. The original seats are only shoulder high and have no neck/head protection, and virtually no lateral support. This car is now and always has been a daily driver and my principal means of transportation, and I would like to replace the seats with a safer unit that would be kinder to my aging body. I have been told that the seats from a '69 - '72 164 would be a good candidate but another person says they would be too high and would not fit on the existing mounts. I have also looked at some Saab seats from a wrecked coupe (at least they are Swedish) that seem to be a good bet if I fabricate new mount brackets. Does anyone out there have any suggestions as to what would fill the bill with a minimum of metalwork and other mods? The dimensions of the original seats are: 27" high (measured from floor to top of seat back), by 22" wide at widest point, by 28" front to back. There is only about 2" to play with in width, but the replacement could go as high as 38" without hitting the headliner. Also, I need to have the lever that releases the back to fold forward and permit access to the rear cargo shelf/kids seat. Thanks guys.

Bill;

Some years ago, successfully replaced the seats of my 66 1800 with headrest seats from a later 1800 (I dont know what year, but it was definately injected, I presume they were o.e., originally supplyed to Volvo by Recaro, the German seatmaker as their logo is on the seatback release knob). Perhaps you can find some of these seats also...check with Don Thibault in Sandwich Mass, or better yet someone closer who is parting out an 1800E. The holes and hardware lined up perfectly, so the upgrade went with little difficulty - no farbication or reinvention of the wheel required - and I highly recommend it for all the reasons you stated. I had the cushions reapolstered with a fiber type material which gives excellent lateral friction. I also replaced the (already at that point)aged rubber band suspension with a homemade metal wire and spring upgrade donated by a decommissioned bedframe...ipd offered a similar kit at one point, I dont believe I saw it in their latest cat...this permanently cured the saggies...and I thought my spine was shrinking!

Regards,

How about a pair of late (69-73) 1800 seats with original headrests? They should be ok, related to the over all safety of an old car like the 1800, and requires less modifications than other brands/models.

/Martin

First off...great choices in cars!

As for seat upgrades, I'm pretty sure that whatever you go with will require some mounting modifications, so I'd just sort that out after you find seats that you like. I put seats from a 1800s in my 65 coupe, and even then I had to do some metal work.

I kind of think that 140/160 seats are a bit too wide for an 1800. 240 seats might be a better choice. Then again, if you like the saab seats, go for it!

I'm all for originality with cars, but when it comes to safety and comfort...well....you know.

Good luck!

Matt B

65 1800S, 71 145s