as said its all learning, first time i did mine i resewed the seats buy hand, hands hurt for a month, now i can use a machine save big bucks and learned a few things

I think I will be following this thread  ...... I just pick this one up a short while ago....... 

Yes, I read that post on Yenko Dave, thanks. It confirms two Strato bucket base buns can be used, joined together by another section of shaped foam.

The good part about the Strato bench, is the backs are 100% Strato Bucket, Ultimately, I'd like to make the backs fixed as per 4 door and hide the push button, but really, what would be the issue with leaving them as is.

At this point, I'm thinking that the best way to approach this, would be to make a very detailed pattern using the existing covers, and modify it to include the Grands checkered pattern inserts. I'll need the smooth and checked fabric, some vinyl, piping and some carpet to match mine (for the rear underside). I might just put a new carpet in the car as well.

I really need to talk to my seat guy to really get an idea of where this will go.

Cheers,

Examples of the 67 Grande Strato bench, from all the strato benches I've seen (Cad, Olds, Buck, and Caprice) this pattern actually looks to be pretty straight forward.

My fabric, I've never seen a picture of a strato bench in this colour,

The 70 Eldorado I was looking at recently had a strato-bench.  There were padded inserts in the seat backs within the indented areas.

One thing I've noticed, on the upper sides of the armrest, is a hard plastic piece that seems to always be broken.  That seems to be the one design flaw of the strato-bench.

Did some work on the Strato base today. The drivers side had 3 broken springs and a broken edge wire. Most seats of this vintage probably have the same springs broken. My Grande makes a ton of popping and "boinging" sounds when I get in it, and it doesn't have a ton of miles, so it's probably suffering the same affliction.

I used a old 69 Bench as a donor for springs, edge wire and clips. Same clips as the 67, and actually, very similar springs,

Removed the broken springs. Cleaned up the base and sprayed some tremclad. From the left, you see the pocket where the second main spring hooks in, it carries all the way to the back inboard tab (black arrow) The next two are the tabs that hold the side support springs. The black arrow is where the side wire had broken. The other arrow at the hole is where that side wire starts out of and passes through the two tabs..

In this shot you can see the sidewire repair. Black arrow is the old break. You can see the new wire in the hole at the left, it comes around horseshoe shape and is fixed with 4 clips,

Here's the repair of the springs. 1 is a main seat spring, 2-3 are the side support springs. 1 basically came right out of the 69 seat , and with a trim for length fit right in. 2 had to be hand formed. 3 was cut from a second main spring from the 69, and basically went right in. Old clips were used. On thing to note, the new side support springs are a heavier gauge wire than what was originally in place. I've heard through some digging that having more support here is a good thing. Especially it you're a full size person. They won't bag out or break like the original.

All in all, I'm satisfied being able to repair the springs at no cost. I really don't know what I'm doing here, but when I push down on it it feels right now. The tension seem good. Firmer than the passenger side, but not too much so.

I found you can manipulate the springs into shape by hand, in a vise with heavy pliers, or just by hand. They are just soft enough to allow it. I used a zip wheel to cut them. Wear eye protection when bending them, having one shatter could be trouble.

The metal clips can be coaxed open with a sharp awl, and opened the rest of the way with needle-nose pliers. They are quite soft and are easily re- used. Crimped, they appear to hold just like new.

There was a episode on seat spring repair on MuscleCar.

Good stuff Mark.

Finished tightening up all the clips (they do get loose). Cleaned, ScotchBrited then painted the base. It will all be covered anyway. Put some foam on the drivers side for a Butt test. Felt great.

Added a small section of wire (red arrow) across what will be the divers "load area", Black arrow is the factory center passenger reinforcement. It pays to keep a donor seat when doing another. You get crimped wire for just this purpose (notice the bends in it). In the picture below, one can see how the sides of the Strato really kick up compared to a regular bench. It's really just a bucket base without the inner sides.

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67 Strato vs 69 Standard 2 door bench, on the side Strato base closely resembles a Strato bucket.

As a note, the stock 65-70 bench tracks fit the Strato. I plan on fitting those tracks to the Strat for bench work.

Woo...nice.

Did you restore it yourself? How was the lower cushion and cover managed?

Ah, the easy life of the Impala owner. Imagine...seat covers pre made for a 67 Strato Backed bench!

I've moved onto buckets for my 67 .

And I think I've found someone competent to custom sew the seat covers. 

Been in touch with Gary from Diamond Trim in Aurora Ontario. Sounds like a great guy, and he seems really interested in doing this. He also does a lot of business with SMS auto fabrics, and knows them quite well. 

Anyone ever deal with Diamond? They obviously look like a high end shop, we'll decide whether to proceed depending on the quote he's putting together. I'll supply finished frames and painted trim, as well as the restored 6 way unit.