69 Seat Backs

[Pat K.]

Trying to locate original black 69 seat backs or good reproductions. Can anyone point me in the right direction?

Thanks,

Pat

[Chuck G.]

Re: 69 Seat Backs

I can tell you from my experience that the repro's are thicker and have a different grain. I've had a couple of repro's. They're hard to slide over the clips on the top too. Try to find NOS or nice originals. Any color will do because you can easily paint them. Chuck

[Joe L.]

Re: 69 Seat Backs

Pat-----

In my opinion, the reproduction seat backs available from Dr. Rebuild and others are excellent. These are available in the original configuration and already painted for most, if not all, of the original colors. The original seat backs were manufactured from some sort of plastic which is quite brittle and often cracks or breaks. The reproductions are manufactured from a much more durable plastic, although they appear just like the originals. As a matter of fact, although I have an "ample supply" of NOS 1969 seat backs [none for sale], I'll likely be changing my originals to reproductions in the future.

[Joe L.]

Re: 69 Seat Backs

Chuck-----

Based upon your experience, I think that I'm going to have to look a little closer at the reproductions and compare one side-by-side with an original.

[Pat K.]

Re: 69 Seat Backs

Joe,

I still have my originals, which are cracked. They're made from fiberglass. I ordered the repros from Dr. Rebuild and sent them back because I felt the grain was too far from original (I'm picky). I believe the big name vendors probably get them from the same place. I'm going to try to repair the glass until I can find an original pair.

Thanks,

Pat

[Geoff C.]

NCRS Guarantee

[Geoff C.]

[Joe L.]

Re: Only Old Used Parts will Match Exactly

Geoffrey-----

With these seat backs, I think that it would be just about impossible to find a perfect used original piece. The material that they were made of is so brittle and damage-prone that virtually all will exhibit some damage. I've never tried to repair one; it might be possible, but I really doubt that it would be an indicernable repair.

While the originals may appear to be fiberglass, I don't think that's what they're made of. Fiberglass, by its fundamental nature (i.e the term "fiberglass" is a misnomer; it's actually fiberglass REINFORCED PLASTIC or FRP) is quite strong and damage resistant as the fiberglass REINFORCING makes it so. The seat back plastic used for, at least, the 68-69 nodel years (and, through 1976, I believe) seems much heavier than any similarly configured and sized FRP panel that I've ever seen. Plus, it's FAR more brittle than any FRP panel that I've ever seen. With very little "coaxing" these original seat back panels will split in half.

[Chuck G.]

Re: 69 Seat Backs

After reading Geoffrey's response, I'll say that I'm familiar with the older "thicker" repro's. Did not know that there were newer thinner ones available. I've never seen those, or had any experience using them. Chuck

[Terry F.]

Re: 69 Seat Backs

I have found that repairing cracks in the seat backs, dash pads, consols, ebrake consols, etc. can be done very nicely with super thin super glue. I buy the thick and thin versions for making repairs. Thick is great for bridging gaps. You can get it at hobbie stores that sell radio controled airplanes, etc. Works incredibly well on that old stuff and it hides real well. It will fuse the peices together. I have even used a dremel tool to grind plastic powder over it and made it look like it was never broken. When it comes to doing serious surgery, I just cut sections from similar peices and fuse them in. I have had some incredible results when taking my time. Sometimes, I can't find the repair after I come back to it (month later or so). But, I can't find my shoe's either a lot of times. :/ Terry

[Pat K.]

Re: 69 Seat Backs

Geoffrey,

I'm not offended, but I do feel compelled to respond to your comments.

I've been satisfied with some repro's and I believe that was due to the manufacturer spending the extra time and money to get it as close as possible. You're correct, there's NO substitute for the real thing.

With regards to my order, I was very satisfied with what I kept. I sent some things back for various reasons, but I did keep the sill plates They were a nice repro of the repro I took off. I did send one back due to some scratches. The replacement I ordered was fine.

I hope being flagged as "looking 4 perfect parts" is not a bad thing within your company.

Pat

[Pat K.]

Re: 69 Seat Backs

Good advice, thank you!

Pat

[Terry F.]

Your welcome! *NM*

[Geoff C.]

[Geoff C.]