Thanks to Maurice L. and a photo of the seat without it's clothes on... it looks as though the seat could be removed from the car along with the seat cover and padding. Then the steel rods that hold the shape of the seat at it's current position look like they could be bent out a bit to make the seat a little wider. After this the padding and seat cover can be re-installed. I'm not sure if I will attempt this or take it to an upholstery shop. But it will be done.