Rear Seats

Technical Information and Restoration Parts for the 928

Rear Seats

The original design of the convertible conversion deleted the rear seats in favor of some very large speakers. I assume with the top down the normal speakers where just not powerful enough to wake up the neighborhood. So in place were two amplifiers and some 12" boomers.

No one likes my taste in music and since from time to time I have to transport more then one passenger, I decided to remove the speakers and reinstall the factory back seats.

Clean and ready to paint

Fortunately, the design of the boot cover is wide enough to accommodate the seat backs. The support for the top fits above the normal frame allowing the same bolt holes to mount the seat backs. The only limitation comes when folding the seats down. The release handle contacts the side of the boot.

Trial Fitting

There is a difference in the design of the older seat backs and those in the S4 and up. The S4 seat backs are reversible by swapping hinges. Swapping the release handle to the other side offers clearance with a minimum of inconvenience.

The shape of the seat back still interfered with sides but since they are made of wood they were easily trimmed. The leather re-attaches with no loss of functionality of looks.

The seat bottoms fit fine but the side panel had to be trimmed and a new replacement made for the quarter panel. This I fabricated out of aluminum and covered with foam and leather.

The speakers were mounted on the rear posts and top support in about the same position as they are in the coupe.

Progress

After a lot of fitting and trimming the back seats are finally fitted. I had to make up for about an inch in width that was lost to the convertible mechanism. The seats were also moved forward an inch to allow for the extra bracing and to clear the boot cover. A trim here a pinch there and wow it actually fits and folds down like a real back seat.

As an upgrade shoulder harnesses were added. Rear bolts supports were added, but later it was discovered that the factory chassis mounts were still in the car.

On to the next project -- the five speed and maybe a electrically operated top.