1984 Audi ur-quattro USA specification
VIN# WAUDCO859EA900919
ur quattro seat restoration and conversion
Faced with refinishing the original urq seats for close to $600, or buying non-original Recaros for double that, I dreamed up how to save at least half this amount - and use all Audi parts in the process. I wanted to keep the seats as original as possible - and on a budget too.
I converted a set of 1987 4000CS quattro heated tan leather seat tops into ur-quattro Coupe GT seat tops - the folding forward versions. Click on any picture for a larger version.
Step 1
Remove the original seats, dissasemble, and buy some replacement seats.
Remove the original seats, dissasemble, and buy some replacement seats.
Drivers upper top half. The folding top Coupe GT frame is what is necessary for this swap.
After 18 years, the original urq leather seats were pretty tattered. This is the condition of the seats when I bought the car.
Here is shot of the original lower portions after removal from the urq. Not to be used in this conversion.
The replacements!
A perfect set of not so used 1987 4000CS quattro tan heated leather seats (force5auto).
A perfect set of not so used 1987 4000CS quattro tan heated leather seats (force5auto).
Step 2
Remove the old leather and foam support from the original urq seat tops.
Remove the old leather and foam support from the original urq seat tops.
Peeling back the original leather skin reveals the seat frame and support foam. I discarded both of these. The head rest mounts require using a pair of vise grips to remove. Squeeze the center together and push hard. They might need some wiggling to work out. Remove the leather skin and foam.
Under the center panel you will find these little coat hanger strength wire loops holding the leather skin to the seat frame (hog rings). Just remove all with two pliers and save. Hog Ring plies would have saved me some pain - invest in some.
To my surprise, after pulling back the center panel, the Audi boys (Hans und Franz) used a heating element in my orig urq drivers side top and cut the wire! This was installed in an urq that did not have the heated seats option. They were destined to be heated!
First undo and straighten the lower folded metal flaps. I found a pair of needle nose pliers worked best. Hog Ring pliers would be better though.
Step 3
Remove the leather skins and foam from the donor seats. Same as step 2. Yes, alot of work at this point... keep on going as the end product turns out well.
Remove the leather skins and foam from the donor seats. Same as step 2. Yes, alot of work at this point... keep on going as the end product turns out well.
Steps 4-6
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Note: the ur-quattro seat frame tops ARE labeled as "Sport" versions.