At one time or another all of us have used the expression, "seat of the pants" feel. Typically, we are talking about how our latest ride, well, rides. This time we are really referring to the feeling in the seat of your pants. A visit to Wise Guys Seating and Accessories out of Elkhart, Indiana, gave us something to get all warm and comfy over.
Wise Guys Seating is a relatively new "player" to the street rod industry, but it appears they have done their homework and offer a combination of products that should suite the tastes of many a rodder. On their menu are bench and bucket seating for '28-49 Ford coupes, sedans, and roadsters. (In fact, their product can be made to work in non-Fords, as well.)
'28-34 Bare Frame DimensionsThe '28-34 coupe, roadster, or sedan bare-frame seat measures 26.39 inches from the floor to the top of the seatback. It then measures 44.23 inches across the top. The seat base measures 39 inches across and 5.10 inches tall at the front.
'28-34 Upholstered Seat DimensionsThe '28-34 coupe, roadster, or sedan upholstered bench seat measures 27 inches from the floor to the top of the seatback (or 24 inches from the seat base to the top). It then measures 46 inches across the top and 42 inches across mid-height of the seatback. The seat base measures 39 inches across and 10.50 inches tall at the front and is 20.50 inches deep where seat base and back meet. (The optional armrest is 6 inches across.)
'35-49 Bare Frame DimensionsThe '35-49 coupe or sedan upholstered split-bench seat measures 27.33 inches from the floor to the top of the seatback without any mounting frame. It measures 45.15 inches across at the top; however, it's a split-bench seat with each seating section measuring 22.06 inches across at the top. The seat base measures 45.50 inches across and 5.50 inches tall at the front (no manual riser). The seat base is 21.37 inches deep from front to back.
'35-49 Upholstered DimensionsThe '35-49 coupe or sedan upholstered split-bench seat measures 34.50 inches from the floor to the top of the seatback while bolted to a manual riser (or 24.50 inches from the seat base to the top). It, too, measures 46 inches across the top; however, it measures 47 inches across mid-height of the seatback. The seat base measures 40.50 inches across and 14.50 inches tall at the front (with manual riser, 4.93 inches, in place) and 11.25 inches tall where the seat base and back meet. Again, the seat base is approximately 21 inches deep from front to where base and back meet. (The twin armrests measure 3 inches across apiece.)
'35-49 Manual RiserThe '35-49 coupe or sedan manual riser has an overall width of 37.63 inches with the eight floor mounting holes located in the riser, measuring 36.50 inches on center. The four mounting holes that go from the riser to the seat are 29.75 inches on center from each other.
Bucket SeatFor the connoisseur of bucket seats Wise Guys offers two different sizes: There are 19- and a 21-inch (upholstered width measurement) bucket seats that are 27.88 inches tall. (The bare frame measurement is 16 inches wide for the 19-inch seat and 18 inches wide for the 21-inch seat.) There are also options such as a beverage mate console, base or base and back heat, a mechanical or power lumbar, an adjustable six-way power or the manual slide adjuster, a riser pedestal, and an upholstered or uncovered headrest and/or armrest.
Have It Your WayAdditionally, Wise Guys offers bare frames or the complete seat (frame, foam, and material) as one unit. They will also sell you additional material so that you may match such items as the kick panels, door panels, and headliner. The materials typically offered are leather, fabric/vinyl, or ultra leather (vinyl that looks like leather).