In a word, NO, the '83 back foam and upholstery will not fit the '86. The '86 frame is a bit longer, nad also has the different headrests. What you can do, however, is unbolt the back from the '83 and attach it to the seat bottom frame of the '86, or just swap the seats out. I went the other way when I was redoing the interior on my '80 242. Took the backs from a 1993 245, and attached them to the bottom frames from my 1980 to preserve the tilt mechanism from the 2-door. My experience is that the parts are relatively interchangeable and relatively straightforward. It all is pretty obvious how they attach and interchange once you get the upholstery and foam off.

Mike

Hi Bob:

Rob Bareiss is the guy to ask-- but my feeling is it won't work. I know the seat back foam is different pre '86, but I know absolutely nothing about leather seats and how they are/aren't different from cloth...

If I remember correctly, the seat back mechanism from later seats can be bolted onto the earlier ones and vice-versa...

Good luck!

--
Herb Goltz, London, Ontario, Canada '92 245 w/109K mi