The International Cessna 170 Association

I may have to give up my motto after this ..........

Gary,
Regarding the 52 model back seat, there were four buttons evenly spaced about an inch and half or so below the leather trim on the top of the backseat back. Therefore, the illustration is in error as to the number and the location thereof. At least according the example of serial number 20472. Details!

kind regards,
Charlie

gahorn wrote:I may have to give up my motto after this ..........

George, That sobriquet belongs to Charlie. He's been looking at the details of the 170 at least since 1965. I'm a rank amateur, a neophyte, in comparison.

Charlie, thanks for the response. I was afraid that might be the answer as I think I bought the last six tufting buttons in existence-- two short. I assume the pattern of four buttons on the rear seat bottom duplicate that of the rear seat back?

A related question....

Yesterday a friend asked me if the 170 rear seat originally came with a single seat belt that fastened across all occupants. He said that as a child he remembers riding in the back of an early 180 that had a bench seat with a single seat belt. I told him I would ask the experts.

Always two belts. Your friend was likely riding in a Piper Cruiser.

Keith,
It could be that he recalls riding in the "auxiliary seat" which was placed in the baggage compartment of the 180. Does he recall being able to see out a window? Prior to the 1964 model he wouldn't have had that luxury.

This reminds me of the story told by Russ Farris of the history of his 170 which was involved in a mid-air collision with a DC-3 (all landed and survived)... A grandfather had taken his 4 grandkids up for a joy-ride with several of them sharing a seat belt. That used to be allowed.

I'll ask him for more details when I see him but he is very knowledgeable and I'm sure he knows it was a 180. I suppose he could have been very small in the aforementioned aux seat. Or the seat belt could have been changed I guess.

Hi Gary. I believe my rear seat is original. At least as far as I can tell. The fabric and carpet matches the original material I removed form the floor and rest of airplane. Mine has four buttons.

Gary,
I also believe Nippaero's rear seat is original. The button pattern and fabric weave appear the same as that of SN 20472. Except 20472 is red rather than blue. Search etsy.com for vintage upholstery buttons. There has got to be some buttons in there very near to correct. Who is to know?

Charlie

Mike,
Thanks for the pictures! The condition of your rear seat is absolutely remarkable considering its age! It's like the previous owners only took the plane out of its hangar to fly at night. Attached are a couple of pictures Charlie sent me some time ago of his interior. Note the original gray fabric color underneath where the rear ashtray is located compared to the faded beige color. A similar contrast between faded and protected original is seen where the torn leather meets the fabric on the seat back. Your leather almost looks blue-green on my screen. I realize it's impossible to accurately transmit the true color over a computer. How did the fabric under your ashtrays compare to the exposed fabric? Are there places where the leather wasn't exposed to the light. I would have expected it to be a navy blue color.

interstellardust wrote:Unfortunately, Buster's Upholstery in Porterville seems to have gone out of business. At least their phone has been disconnected.

Ronnie Broadhead's obit.
Bill, Ronnie was the owner of Buster's Upholstery. It's sad to see talented craftsman like this passing on.

Sorry none of my leads panned out. What did you finally find for your interior?

n2582d wrote:Mike,
Thanks for the pictures! The condition of your rear seat is absolutely remarkable considering its age! It's like the previous owners only took the plane out of its hangar to fly at night. Attached are a couple of pictures Charlie sent me some time ago of his interior. Note the original gray fabric color underneath where the rear ashtray is located compared to the faded beige color. A similar contrast between faded and protected original is seen where the torn leather meets the fabric on the seat back. Your leather almost looks blue-green on my screen. I realize it's impossible to accurately transmit the true color over a computer. How did the fabric under your ashtrays compare to the exposed fabric? Are there places where the leather wasn't exposed to the light. I would have expected it to be a navy blue color.

IMG_0595.JPG

IMG_0594.JPG

My airplane was very well kept and in a hanger mot of its life. The side panels are not original. I am just finishing up installing an Airtex interior. I am leaving the rear seat intact for now. It's the only original piece left