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Apr 26th, 2026 | | AD Chevy Trucks  Over 6,000 pictures Brad Allen has an awesome collection of Chevrolet factory pictures that he has set up from film strips. Check them out!
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| | | | Joined: Oct 2001 Posts: 3,458 Extreme Gabster | | Extreme Gabster Joined: Oct 2001 Posts: 3,458 | I was flipping through my 1950 restoration packet tonight and I noticed that leather interior trim was an RPO option for all light duty Chevy trucks. I've never noticed or heard of this before, anybody have an idea what it looked like? Was it just the seat, or just the door panels, or both? I'd kind of like to try to reproduce it in my truck.
Paint & Body Shop moderator
A lone amateur built the Ark. A large group of professionals built the Titanic. | | | | | Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,270 Bubba - Curmudgeon | | Bubba - Curmudgeon Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,270 | RPO 361 Genuine Leather Trim
The fine appearance and long lasting qualities of leather are available for seat cushions, and seat backs of all cabs, panel, or canopy express models. (including panel/canopy auxiliary seats)
Included various models of light, medium, and heavy duty trucks (but not the Carryall Suburban). | | | | | Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 4,983 Master Gabster | | Master Gabster Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 4,983 | That's great! My son and I have had a running argument over replacing the seat in our 51. He wants the truck to look original with the hefty V8 (a sleeper) and I being older and wiser want a comfortable seat. So we compromised and got a 2nd row with a fold down arm rest from a 2005 Cadillac Escalade.  At least now, with the leather, it's close to original. http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2153207390099708909vsKOGt
~Jim
| | | | | Joined: May 2005 Posts: 8,878 . | | . Joined: May 2005 Posts: 8,878 | I would like to see pictures of original leather seats for an AD.
I had this idea that I would have my original seats covered in leather, and then they would not be original. Looks like now I can have leather seats and be original.
So I am curious to see how close my idea of leather seats are to the real thing. I was thinking very plain, like the normal seats, but with thick leather like my boots are made of, not the paper thin stuff in new cars.
Grigg | | | | | Joined: Oct 2001 Posts: 3,458 Extreme Gabster | | Extreme Gabster Joined: Oct 2001 Posts: 3,458 | That's what I was thinking it would look like too, boot leather. I love that idea.
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A lone amateur built the Ark. A large group of professionals built the Titanic. | | | | | Joined: May 2005 Posts: 8,878 . | | . Joined: May 2005 Posts: 8,878 | Anyone seen these leather seats in person?
Or have pictures of original?
Thanks,
Grigg | | | | | | md4fred Unregistered | | md4fred Unregistered | Did anyone find info on the leather RPO? I am interested in that for my restore also.
Mike | | | | | Joined: May 2005 Posts: 8,878 . | | . Joined: May 2005 Posts: 8,878 | Anyone find a picture or literature showing the elusive leather seat option?
Or better yet a real from the factory leather covered seat? (dead or alive)
Grigg | | | | | Joined: Aug 2005 Posts: 6,377 Ex Hall Monitor | | Ex Hall Monitor Joined: Aug 2005 Posts: 6,377 | Whoda thunk it? Leather upholstery. I always thought that a herd of Nagas had to die for a seat cover to get made.
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| | | | | Joined: Feb 2006 Posts: 428 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Feb 2006 Posts: 428 | I don't have an example of the leather seats, but I used to do a lot of leather work and tooling. Leather is graded in ounces. I would think if you got boot or saddle weight leather it would be to difficult to work and would be uncomfortable to sit on, In this application. Several years ago I made a binocular case from some 9 oz waxed hide. It took days for it to soften in water, and even then I needed a 3 pound hand sledge to beat it into the form I made. Even after soaking a second time I needed a drill to poke the holes for the stiching. The case is tougher than hell, but I can't see setting on it for any lenght of time. If I were to do a seat I think I would use some of the "new" garment grade leather. I thought about ultra swade leather treated with scotchguard, It would be almost like a cloth seat with the advantages of leather and stain resistant. That is my thoughts on it. | | |
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