that's a sorry sight in almost any DD Camaro.

seems like some of the GM SUV's had "auto back" seats, where when you cut the key off, the power seat went all the way back, and then you could enter & exit without wearing out the bolster.

but that would make it tough for rear seat passengers to exit a Coupe,
unless you had a button on the power seat, flip rear for back allway, then forward for all way forward, to let kids exit.

or maybe just spec a thicker piece of material there.

 

I think you can buy seat covers for less than $40.
But your saying you want an automatic seat recliner?

 

Its a Camaro, not a Cadillac

 

Have a little more respect for the bolster...don't scrub it with the fat of your buttocks every time you get in and out.

 

Hello Mr. Storie! Hope all is well with you.

The bad part about seat bolsters is that God didn't make cowhide tough enough.......

All seat bolsters show wear -- (go to an autoshow after it's been open for about a week....)

The problem is intensified when you get to sports cars like Camaro/Firebird/Mustang/Corvette --where:

a) the car sits lower to the ground
b) there is limited room
c) people are wearing denim -- (which is pure hell on leather)

We have spent stupid money on Seat Covers (warranty) and stupid money on trying to fix the problem.

Go watch a few people get into and out of a Corvette --

....they "drop" (sometimes at alarming rates.......) onto the seat -- and then rotate to get behind the wheel - and the bolster takes the brunt of the "drop and turn" -- -- and the seat-back bolster also gets snagged by belts/clips/ and whatever else is attached to the jeans.......

We have tried (just to name a few attempts at solutions.......)

.. double layers of leather (didn't work)
..water buffalo hide (helps, but has a very rough feel)
..vinyl under the leather (didn't work)
..and using vinyl bolsters (helps quite a bit -- but is not leather -- and doesn't match the leather very well...........

.....plus a gajillion other attempts --

........the bottom line is that the best defense is to put removable seat covers on the car IF you're going to show it at car shows.

 

Carbon Fiber seat covers? Just don't use resin .

 

Woohoo problem solved thanks Scott. Ok everyone, if you don't want to wear the bolsters on your seats just start wearing some silk slacks.

It is highly recommended by the manufacturer that in order to avoid unnecessary wear to your seat bolsters thou must wear leather sensitive slick pants.

 

Yes sir, doing fine, retired out of the Navy and living the good life in Charleston ( ahem, cough cough )

so you are saying it's really the mechanics off it, the turn, drop & slide. like a 3 way application of sandpaper.

the wife still has her red SS with the tan leather, and hers is in remarkably good shape (~50k miles).

but she usually wears smooth clothes (no denim, dress slacks) and is pretty small.

well at least you tried. that's all we can ask for.

be good, my brother.

 

Just a crazy idea, but make the bolster cover replaceable, seperate from the main seat cover. Owners can simply replace a part we know is going to wear if we want to, and GM has an item they can sell to make up the cost of the initial design and make money down the road.

Thinking out loud here, but seems like a win/win.

 

HA! I never realized it was a common problem... I tore a hole into my fabric one after several years (I'm a jeans wearer) and brought a beautifully maintained SS from a lovely grandmother with leather seats that had similar wear on the same spot... (Although strangely I never had this problem with my 86 Z28...)

 

how would you attach it to the middle panel? Won't work.

 

I found a way to avoid the problem on my car.

I changed my behavior upon entering.
I start by facing my rear end towards the seat I intend to sit in. Then I put my left hand behind me on its bolster, covering the common wear area completely with my hand. I then slowly lower by rear into the bucket keeping both feet on the ground outside the car. Then I place my feet into the car one at a time and gently rotate to face forward.

The bolsters on my Camaro are absolutely flawless. Try it. It's easy to get used to.

 

Scott, the major problem i see is the recessed center section, where it would need to tuck tightly in.

maybe we could make a total front section that is replace-able

I would put a zipper up each side of the center section, where it tucks in at the sides, and zippers up the outside edge of the seat.

and the removable section would have 4 zippers.
2 would attach on this center section, and that would tuck the center section in tightly.

and the 2 outer zippers would attach beyond the friction/contact area on the bolster, and pull the removable section tight around the bolsters.

and of course, after typing this, i realize velco would wear better, and not be felt through the fabric.

and these sections would be like the SS floor mats: available in a variety of logos, colors, material, and affordable enough to change out just to personalize the vehicle.



i just know we bought our SS as a long term family keepsake, and i don't even want to change out the seat covers. when my grandkids give it to their grandkids, i still want it to be "just the way the General made it"

the center caps faded out, and the dealership wanted to replace them under warranty, and susan said Nope, it stays OEM.

note the center caps:

 

Seems like ya'll need to talk to Milt Sparks...

I dont think theres a man on the planet more familiar with daily-use leather products.

 

Well hopefully when I have the money for the Camaro I have the money for better pants. I actually love my "nice" pants and especially my suit. I think I look very sharp in it and would love to get an entire new wardrobe as soon as I have the money for it. Plus for some reason I seem to kill the seams in the crotch area on denim pants when entering the Saab