Season Greetings to All.. Been looking here for about five years, but never really posted much. Now that I am retired guess I should open the storage building doors and start to get serious on my projects. This is a great place for info on two of my projects, a 1953 F100, and a 1951 COE. Would anyone know of a company that makes a seat upholstery/seat cover kit for the COE factory buckets? I would prefer to do the labor of recovering myself, but haven't seen any kits. The only original material I have is one seat back on the passenger seat. Thanks in advance for any and all help.

 

Mid fifties in Arizona sells kits for these trucks. I am not sure on a coe seat...is it like a panel truck seat? I would contact Sy, and ask him.

 

Welcome, and look forward to your becoming active. I've always wondered about and keep an eye open for COE seat kits when part shopping for other reasons, I have yet to run across one though. Good luck, hopefully someone will check in here and educate us both.

 

Another great source is LeBaron Bonney. They could probably do covers in either the base level "Five Star" brown fabric or in the deluxe level "Five Star Extra" grey/red combo fabric. Here's their link. LeBaron Bonney Company - Antique Auto Upholstery

 

Have you thought about just letting an upholstery shop in your area do the work?

Initially I did not and had priced a new stock vinyl seat cover for my F-1 that I would install. The cost including shipping was right at about $175. I found a couple of bad springs so I asked a local shop what they would charge to repair some sunken springs, add a little more foam, and then to install the cover that I would purchase. The shop’s concern with this was that the cover I buy may not fit well once they got the springs and new foam in. They gave me a price of $200 to do all the repairs and make a stock-looking vinyl seat, and they would guarantee the fit. For the extra $25, it was well worth it and the seat does look good.

Just something to consider. If you have some good shops in the area, getting a few prices couldn’t hurt!

Good luck, Fred

 

Any upholstery shop can do it ..

 

FYI: Him is a Her; the He is a She...

in other words, Sy is not a guy. She owns the Company and knows all about these trucks...

 

As stated, I don't know any one that makes covers.

I'm in the middle of redoing factory seats from a 48 COE now (same seats I believe). I repaired the springs, blasted, and painted them. I plan to find a local shop and have them cover them... to look as close to original as possible. Fortunatly I have an other pretty good pair that can provide an example for the upholster.

McKay356 Where are you located. If you are close to central florida, it might be worth taking both sets to the same shop. If not or if you need decent pictures send me an email at frankATinvirtuxDOTcom

 

Abe....Thanks for the clarification....

 

I'm located in N.Central Washington State. It would be great to know what year the COE's had the same seat as the 1951 model. I can't seem to find a part number for the spring assembly even in the 1948-1956 Ford Truck Master Part CD. Maybe I missed it somehow. My only option may be to find an old seat bottom (I have a pattern for the back) for a pattern and have it done in a shop. COE seat kits are available, but I have found them only up to 1947.

 

48-52 cabs were same (except rear window and dash). All the 51-52 COEs I have seen that had original seats had the same as 48-50.

These are from my 48.




Do you need parts of the seat frame and springs, or just a pattern for the material?

 

Not sure it'd be of great help to you, but a line drawing of the 48 - 50 COE interior is pictured in the 1944-1952 Ford Body Parts Catalog. It shows part numbers for seats and base parts and would give an upholsterer a pretty good point of reference. If it'd help I can take it out to copy then scan it for you. Stu

 

Thank you Frank for posting the pics. I have a lead on a set of seats within 200 miles of where I live. The fabric and foam is there for a pattern. I think this maybe my best solution. Shopping around for a craftsman to rebuild a set to original condition shall be an interesting adventure.

 

Another source, although not close to you, is Chuck Mantiglia at Chuck's Trucks in CT. I know he has a '51 COE sitting on his lot that he might be willing to sell seats from. Plus he has a COE he's restoring so might have extra seats. Also, he's had seat frames and spring sets made for his MH Ranger and would have info on who and what's involved there. Here's his link. Chucks Trucks LLC., Chuck's Trucks, Chucks Trucks

 

Thanks Stu for the offer. Does the 44-52 Body parts book also contain the COE cab parts too? If so, sounds as if I need to get a copy.