There are probably any number of seats that will fit in your 544, although the last time I asked this question here I noticed a trend of people recommending older seats. The most accurate answer, though, is "any seat that fits."
This Autumn, after taking measurements of various seats in various junk yards, I installed a set of front seats from a 2000 C30 in my '63 544. I couldn't be more pleased with the results. To install I fabricated (read: had sheared to size at the steel yard, then drilled six holes in each plate) a quarter inch steel plate for each seat. I also ground the original bolt points off the rails and welded on half inch steel mounting points (read: a quarter inch thick flat bar with hole drilled in it at the end of each rail) being careful to not weld too deep and being mindful of the travel of the seat rail. I bolted the plates to the original 544 mounting platform, I bolted the seats to the plates via the mounting points, and voila!
The improvements in comfort are worth every penny. I can corner hard without flexing like I'm doing a sit up. I can drive for more that 45 minutes without feeling like I have to visit the chiropractor. The car is now safer due to the existence of a head rest (last year I was rear ended, and even though the accident was mild it left a sore neck for more than six months). And best of all, although I was worried that it might make my ride feel too rigid since I've converted from a coil spring seat bed to a solid state seat bed, the upgrade has actually improved my ride by yielding less of a "bouncy" feel and therefore contributing to greater control over the pedals and wheel.
It's true, it's a tight fit, but it works, and I'm very happy with the results. The main thing to remember is to find a seat with a fold forward/slide forward capability. My new seats also have lumbar adjustment, which is nice, and height adjustment, which I am satisfied with but which I also consider unnecessary.
|