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RECARO Classic LX PEPITA

For the first blog post of the year, I thought I’d talk about the air-cooled Porsche 911 (964) after a while.
Last year, this car spent a lot of time in the shop for repairs like the air conditioning, so I barely got to drive it. However, it has now fully recovered, passed its annual dealer inspection, and step by step is getting closer to like-new condition with parts like the rear shaft boots replaced and the sunroof fixed.

Driving the 964 again after some time is wonderful. Even a relaxed, easy-going drive is enjoyable, and thanks to the Tiptronic transmission, you can enjoy the air-cooled Porsche without stress regardless of location or speed range, which is a real luxury—so I find myself driving it quite often.

Amid this, I came across news that RECARO released a limited edition Pepita-patterned seat.

Based on the LX-VS, this model called the “Classic LX Pepita” is limited to 700 units. The price is quite steep at 275,000 yen per seat.

I had done some research beforehand but hesitated due to the high price. Then one day, while out shopping, I stopped by the nearby Super Autobacs Sunshine KOBE, and to my surprise, they had a display model.

Seeing it in person, the quality felt very high, and I thought it would suit the 964 perfectly. I asked for a quote. Including seat rails and installation, the total exceeded 600,000 yen, but I decided to buy it on the spot.

The delivery date was initially unknown, but it seems the seat arrived at the shop in about two weeks.

Seat Installation

This type of basic RECARO seat offers three height adjustment levels fixed by bolts.
I initially set it to the highest position and tried sitting, but the gap between my thighs and the lower part of the steering wheel was narrow, causing my hand to get caught when holding the wheel low.

Lowering just the front of the seat by one level felt better, so I drove with that setting for a while. However, I was bothered by the rear of the seat being too high, so later I had the rear lowered by one level as well.

This put the seat at the middle of the three height levels. For the 964, lowering it below the middle height causes the slide rail legs to interfere with the floor, so as the manual states, part of the rail must be cut, so I recommend having the shop handle this.

Driving Impressions

My first impressions after driving were better than expected.

Since the LX seat is basically simple in design, I honestly didn’t expect much comfort and thought it would be fine as long as it was better than the stock seat. But once seated, it felt very good.

Though not complex in shape, it offers just the right amount of support, with perfectly balanced firmness in the seat and back cushions, making it very comfortable and relaxing. Also, getting in and out is easier than the stock seat, and it’s very comfortable to sit on.

The original 964 stock seat (also made by RECARO) has a narrow seat base and relatively soft cushioning, so you kind of sink into it. It also lacks any lumbar support, which for me caused my back to curve and led to pain after long drives.

But naturally, this new seat avoids all that. Even for city driving, the firm cushioning feels supportive, improving ride comfort.

Comes with a cushion. Placing it in the rear seat unifies the Pepita pattern throughout the interior.

At the start of the year, I took a roughly 7-hour, 300 km tour and experienced no back pain at all.
In fact, I felt much less fatigue, and this seat suits me better than the 4-way sports seats in the 981 and 991, or the 4-way sports seat in the 992.

It’s surprising that such a simple seat, with only adjustable backrest angle, can be so comfortable. That’s the quality of RECARO.

Also, the support during cornering is sufficient. For moderately sporty driving on public roads, it’s more than adequate. At least compared to the stock seat, it offers much better hold. Plus, the seat feels very rigid, enhancing the sense of connection with the car, making driving much easier.

The Relationship Between RECARO and Porsche

Actually, the company RECARO has a very deep connection with Porsche.

According to RECARO’s official website, the prototype of the Porsche 901 was manufactured by what is now RECARO (then called Reutter Car Body Manufacturing Company), and RECARO was responsible for the interior design. At that time, Porsche and RECARO’s headquarters were adjacent, with Porsche handling engine and chassis design, and RECARO responsible for body and interior design.

The Pepita (houndstooth) pattern is said to symbolize the interior design of Porsche from that era.

Features a dedicated RECARO emblem, proving this is more than just a simple seat upholstery replacement.

Perhaps because of this heritage, the Pepita pattern suits Porsche interiors very well. In fact, the 991 50th Anniversary edition also features Pepita-pattern seats, and the 992 Heritage Design Package Classic offers Pepita as an option.

If you own a classic Porsche and want to refresh its look a bit, I highly recommend the Classic LX Pepita.
Not only is it stylish, but it also lets you enjoy your Porsche comfortably even on long drives without fatigue.