FITTING 1980 SEATS & 900 DOOR PANELS TOO!

So you got an old 99 with a ratbag interior like this:

Wanna spruce it up, eh?

So did I.

Well, I was up with my pals at Lititz Auto Service in PA doing some nasty 9000 work when a rusty 1980 900 GLE rolled in for a state inspection. HA! Well, with bad front wheel bearings, rust, and bald tyres, this one met its end that VERY day. Guess who got the seats?!

Now, naturally, even if the seats are in VGC, the upholstery is on your shit list along with bell bottom pants and afro-cuts. Tacky? From Sweden? In the 1970s? Remember ABBA???

Hence, you need 1980 seats without the donut hole headrests (old style) and with the old style rails and present style headrests (the bread loaf). 1980 was the last year for the old rails but the first year for the headrests! The fronts go right in - kazaam! Make sure you get your seats from a sedan if your car is a sedan, or a 2 door/3 door if you have the same - they are different, and while they'll fit, you'll have unwanted items or lack thereof, such as seatback tilt from a 2-door in your 4/5 door car! Yikes!

NOW...for the back seat fitment

The seat bottoms interchange 100%. But in 1979, the rear seatback latch mechanism changed. If you have a 1978 or earlier car, simply remove the backing plate

from the old seat, remove the panel from the later seat:

which features the latching mechanism onboard...and swap 'em! It's that easy! Note above, that the actual seatbacks (green = 75, red = 80) are no different. The later seats also had a piece of carpet trim on flimsy tin

which you can reupholster, use, or modify, but fit nevertheless to the earlier panel. The holes are all in the same places! Finished product (top of page) features a modern seat, easily recovered with the 900 padding and upholstery, and featuring an armrest, something earlier 99s did not have! Headrests will be figured out later...heheheh

Unfortunately, seats from a 1981 or later 900 will not serve any purpose other than donating their guts; the remains can be kept as conversation pieces, or can take a permanent vacation at your local dump.

DOOR PANELS FROM A 900!

Panel fitted with 900 window crank and 99 armrest with chrome strip

On 4 and 5 door cars, this is REALLY simple. From the donor 900, remove:

Remove and dispose of the old ugly 99 door panels and door cappings. You will not need them. Remove and dispose of the old 99 inner felt strip. Fit the 900 strip with the tabs on it. The top of the 900 door panel needs these clips to fit. You do NOT want door panels from a power window car - they will have holes in the rear panels for the window switch. Front door panels are OK if you're comfortable with punching a hole for the window crank. Of course this is all assuming you want to continue using your 99 doors, which I have chosen to do.

Now remove the old 99 linkage with the threaded end for the inner door lock button. Fit the 900 variety. If you have a later 99 sedan or 5-door, the old screw for the window crank is perfect, but the 900 variety will do if you only have the beveled end screw. This is found on 76 and prior cars, I think. I managed to get a set of 4 later screws, I'm set!

Now fit the 900 panel as you removed it from the 900! Choose from a variety of armrests - they are all the same!