1956 Seat kit & foam recommendations

[utahrpm]

Since this photo was taken, our seat has split and likely needs replacement. It seems all of the upolstery kits are similar or the same, but I’ve read different things about seat foam quality, mostly about fit. NPD offers a “premium foam” at roughly twice the cost (currently around $866) of the standard foam, claiming much better quality and most of all, fit. But $866! I’m 68 and probably don’t need foam that is going to last 50-years.

I will have a professional installation and I am thinking that a pro can probably quickly trim the lower-cost foam to fit for a lot less than $400. Or is that trim to fit a myth?

Any thoughts on sources or anything else appreciated. My usual go-to is CASCO and Concourse, but am considering NPD as their prices are the same and include free shipping. Thank you!

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[Ward 57]

If it were me at 68yo I'd go with the original foam. The expensive stuff is probably an off shoot from the foam mattresses. You are not going to spend 6hs at a stretch on it. I had my seats recovered & re foamed 30yrs ago and are still looking good and comfy.

 

[zeroroadkill]

You are better off going to a professional Upholstery shop and have them do the work because you never know the quality of online replacement foam. If you’re gonna keep the car then have it done professionally, a lot of crap on the market is inferior.

 

[George Clayton]

I bought the NPD top of the line foam and had it installed professionally. I was told by a long time car RESTORER to not skimp on the seat. Just followed his advice. Not enough driving time to provide any appropriate feedback..
Get it done professionally.

 

[knuckle47]

Well I’m 69 and bought the entire upholstery kit from CASCO. All nice looking red and white but I can see the difference that the seat foam is not compressed from 66 years of sitting on it and will probably raise my butt higher in the driving position. I use the smaller 15” steering wheel so it will help but the foam set feels firmer than what’s in there currently from Ford.

You still ride? …I’ve given it up thanks to cell phones

 

[Ward 57]

Well I’m 69 and bought the entire upholstery kit from CASCO. All nice looking red and white but I can see the difference that the seat foam is not compressed from 66 years of sitting on it and will probably raise my butt higher in the driving position. I use the smaller 15” steering wheel so it will help but the foam set feels firmer than what’s in there currently from Ford.

You still ride? …I’ve given it up thanks to cell phones

Just wait until it starts to conform to your butt. The new covers and foam need time to adjust to your body.

 

[utahrpm]

I completely intend to have a professional do it. My question regards which foam to buy. I really don’t want to spend almost $900 just on foam.

 

[Calistoga T-Bird]

I believe in using the highest quality. We have the obligation to maintain these classics for our personal enjoyment and preserve them for future generations. I'd work with your prefessional to deterime the best option, that being said, I would go with the higher quality NPD foam.

 

[55blacktie]

Why not let the installer buy the materials? He'll then be responsible for materials and labor. If you are buying foam that is Tbird-specific, I know of only one manufacturer, which is located in Santa Fe Springs, CA. Funny thing, I bought foam from Mac's (owned by Eckler's). They had the best price and shipping at the time. Although it was supposed to be drop-shipped by the manufacturer, it was shipped by Larry's. It would have cost more, had I placed the order with Larry's. I can't remember the name of the manufacturer, but you can search Seat Foam Manufacturers Near Santa Fe Springs, CA. Contact them and ask if they have different grades of foam for your car. Upholstery? I think you'll find it all comes from Teamco/w possible exception of leather.

 

[Ward 57]

I believe in using the highest quality. We have the obligation to maintain these classics for our personal enjoyment and preserve them for future generations. I'd work with your prefessional to deterime the best option, that being said, I would go with the higher quality NPD foam.

Higher quality or more just more jazzy features which is up to your determination of what it's worth. I'm old school and would buy a traditional inner spring mattress Over the new stuff. Some are now starting to make hybrid mattresses with foam tops and inner springs. Old school has it's advantages. As you all know, 'New' fuel pumps are not what they are cracked up to what they propose. Buy wisely not which is trending as an 'improvement' .

 

[CSPIDY]

I bought CASCO’s replacement seat foam and cover
had their shop replace it, did a nice job
seat was very firm, but after about 5000 miles
it’s beginning to fit me very nice and comfortable

 

[sshort67]

I used NPD supplies including the high priced seat foam in our 1957 T-Bird in 2021. The installer required I purchase all the supplies and I am happy with the result. The center back section only had waxed? cardboard and a small amount of wire support. We had a hvac shop constuct something more substantial as occasionally we have a third person in the seat. Unfortunately we did not take any photos of the support structure or replacement.

 

[WitcherWatcher]

Hi Y'all. My bench seat has (pretty suddenly) given out right where I sit, in the butt and back areas. I'm a veteran of two back surgeries and one hour's drive last Saturday wrecked my back for five days now (driving her had never hurt me before). I checked the search function here, but everything was two years ago with prices to match. What I want to know is if anyone here can definitively tell me the difference between NPD's two seat foam sets, one at $418.00 and the other, claimed to be "far superior" at $1,081.00. I've looked, and it looks like CASCO doesn't sell these anymore, Larry's lists it but has no photo, and Mac's/Eckler's has the set. These two companies seem to be offering what NPD says is far inferior, but over one grand for foam is a lot of scratch. Any actual knowledge from someone would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

[mtnbikerx]

You are better off going to a professional Upholstery shop and have them do the work because you never know the quality of online replacement foam. If you’re gonna keep the car then have it done professionally, a lot of crap on the market is inferior.

what he said