The seats in my wife's Cougar, look good in pictures but were sagging. It was especially worse on the drivers side and she would sit on a pillow to drive. Also, the vinyl was hard and the passenger seat had a tear at one of the seams. If you look at the outside edge of the drivers seat, you can see that the foam gas pulled apart from years of use:



So, I ordered some covers, new foam and burlap and decided to recover them.



I started taking pictures when I pulled them apart, mostly for reference, I also tried to take pictures as I rebuilt them. Unfortunately, I got so tied up in the moment trying to get them done, I didn't take a lot of pics as I was working.



You can see where the foam was pulling apart on the sides:







I bolted the seat track on after I assembled the bottom, but needed to pull the sides in a little more, so back at it:




The vinyl is a little wrinkly but should tighten up after being in the sun



The foam was deteriorating on the top also:





The burlap on the top was in real nice shape, so I installed the new foam over it...





Just need to attach the bottom and attach it to the lower seat cushion



The finished product after a day in the sun:

John took the words right out of my mouth. Well said.

Well said Bill, I agree.

I have been a 23 participant since it's inception.  I display the sticker with pride.  The program was initially put it place to "help/guide" us to keep the "hot rods" out of the local news due to simple mechanical failures.  It was also there to help states when they were passing laws that would have been harmful to the hobby. It is a voluntary program, my point was many pubs, and yes the NSRA, were featuring cars that would not pass the fundamental 16 never mind the 23.  I have always believed that it is most prudent to "police" ourselves rather than waiting on someone else do it for us!

John
I would have to check but main used the wire clips on page 1 of the pdf. I would print the page and lay your trim over and see which clip would fit within the trim. 

OK, one answer so far...

I'm pretty sure what Bill was refering to was the NSRA safety inspection you can get for your street rod if you want it. They have a great inspection criteria. There are 23 items they check. If you pass the first group (16 items?) you get a safety inspection sticker. If you pass all 23, you get a safety 23 inspection sticker........I considered mine a badge of honor. Goodguys does not have a similar program, and they should imho..

Quote from: Ford Blue blood on 2026-10-17 08:30I like their safety program, would like to see them not give awards to cars that don't legitimately pass.  Tried twice via correspondence with the leaders and was told "it would lower participation", not sure of the cause/effect tie there.

Educate me here as I don't know ...

Legitimately pass?

Do the rules call for tagged and street driven (no trailer queens)?

As a NSRA "lifer" (my number is in the low 800s) I'm partial to them.  I like their safety program, would like to see them not give awards to cars that don't legitimately pass.  Tried twice via correspondence with the leaders and was told "it would lower participation", not sure of the cause/effect tie there.  Both shows cater to the high-end folks (IMHO) and tend to overlook the home builder.  With a touch over 147K miles on the 36 it has it's share of road rash, built in the 70s (on the road in 1980) it is well worn and has been very reliable.  Oh, forgot to mention it is a 36 Chevy with a complete Ford drive train.....

It will usually be the front seal (7A283).

You will also want to check the input shaft bearing (7025) for slop.