1957 Seat Embossed Back or Not

[Jelleca]

At some point in the past the seat was reupholstered but original seat padding was retained. The seat padding is turning to powder. When replacing the padding, I anticipate I will also replace the seat upholstery. Apparently late 1957 models had embossed back and earlier models had plain backs. Is there some way to tell which is correct for a specific car?

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[Rust]

I replaced the padding but kept the seat upholstery, as it was in good shape.

 

[cokefirst]

The padding will turn to powder. It depends on the condition of your seat covers if you want to reuse them. The 1955 has no embossment. The 1956 and 1957 cars did. It is up to you if you want to have the seat covers like original or if you want them without the embossment.

 

[Jelleca]

I was reading different sources and read in 1957 there was a change. Part of production year had embossed and other part did not. Is this not correct?

 

[Jim P]

I would look at your plate code. Determine it's build date. Then you will know what was on it. It's a personal choice in the end. You are the person it matters to most. Go with what you like.😀

 

[cochon]

At some point in the past the seat was reupholstered but original seat padding was retained. The seat padding is turning to powder. When replacing the padding, I anticipate I will also replace the seat upholstery. Apparently late 1957 models had embossed back and earlier models had plain backs. Is there some way to tell which is correct for a specific car?

I believe it's the reverse ... the early 57s had the seat back embossment, which was discontinued sometime mid-year. What's the build date of your car?

 

[RogerV]

Apparently late 1957 models had embossed back and earlier models had plain backs

According to NPD Parts on their 1957 seat upholstery, it's just the opposite - embossed on early production and eliminated later due to problems with embossing. You will have to determine if your T-Bird is early or late production. Mine is later so I don't have embossing. I've done some upholstering (not T-Birds) but chose to job-out the seat. Here is a article on upholstering the seat. https://www.fordthunderbirdforum.net/******/viewtopic.php?t=21336
slstering

 

[doug7740]

This should clear up the confusion.

doug7740
1955 Thunderbird Blue

 

[Jelleca]

Thanks to everyone for the input. And sorry I had the plain/embossed backwards. I was going by memory (not as good as it once was).

I will try to determine when my car was manufactured. Unfortunately, the original owner died 2 weeks ago (he was 97). I had the original title but unfortunately when ownership was transferred I did not make a copy. The person at the secretary of state's office promised the original would be returned to me with the new title. That did not occur.

Thanks again.

 

[Jim P]

It's on the VIN number also.....thunderbird forum has a VIN decoder. FYI.

 

[cochon]

Thanks to everyone for the input. And sorry I had the plain/embossed backwards. I was going by memory (not as good as it once was).

I will try to determine when my car was manufactured. Unfortunately, the original owner died 2 weeks ago (he was 97). I had the original title but unfortunately when ownership was transferred I did not make a copy. The person at the secretary of state's office promised the original would be returned to me with the new title. That did not occur.

Thanks again.

While it won't give you details on the seat embossment, you still might also want to go to c t c i dot o r g to order the original ford gate release for your car. It's an original ford document (not just a 'report') that was generated when your car exited the assembly line, and shows all the options it was built with, cost data, and the dealer to which your car was being delivered. Nice thing to have for yourself and any future owners.