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My seat restoration (72 Charger Rallye)

fatecaptured

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Hello everyone. I am starting the restoration on my Charger high back bucket seats now and then will begin on the rear bench.

I am doing most of the work myself. And having the frames powder coated. I know thats not the O.E.M finish, but judging from the O.E.M finish that it had, I wouldn't want that anyways (oil contaminated factory pant).

The seat covers will be from Legendary and the foams will be from OER.

I am doing this as I have spare time. I work a 12hr a day job and I'm not a restoration expert. Just a weekend warrior trying to do my best out of my garage. Thank's and I hope you enjoy!
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It's an easy job you'll do fine you got the best upholstery witch makes your life easier! So I don't believe I've seen your build thread before or your car can you tell us about it ?
 
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Here is a broken piece . That will get cleaned up in the cabinet and welded back on.
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Here is where the broken threaded piece goes.
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I will fill this hole up with weld also.
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All blasted. I started with glass bead and half way thru switched to black beauty. I'm satisfied with the results. Defiantly need a bigger cabinet.
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Fresh powder coat. Better than new!
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I put bolts in most of the holes. Although I forgot the seat back screw holes. And in retrospect separating each individual spring would've been better. But I wanted to minimise the number of parts. I think some black nail polish will probably do the trick. I may be too picky, but I just want to do the best job I can.

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It's an easy job you'll do fine you got the best upholstery witch makes your life easier! So I don't believe I've seen your build thread before or your car can you tell us about it ?

I wanted to answer your reply when I had more time.

I purchased this car 6 years ago on eBay. Had it shipped from California to my home in Illinois. The car was listed as a non operating mostly pretty complete roller. First thing I did was get it running. Working on it every day for a couple of week's and finally it was running. How long it was out of commission was unknown. The seller said he never had it running and wasn't sure it would. If course it was a dog. And not the original engine.
Next thing I did was pull the steering column, dash and heater/ac box. I replaced the turn signal switch and the ignition switch. Rebuilt the coupler (with the ugly orange seal) which will be redone. The heater box I restored with a new ( cheapo heater core) it'll probably leak. As for the dash M&H wiring harness and a dadh overlay( which I hate and will replace).
Then life got in the way and it has been sitting in my garage ever since. I have been slowly saving up funds and buying what I need and not necessarily what I want.

I COULD GO ON AND ON. SO LET THE PHOTO'S DO THE TALKING
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This is the most recent picture of the Charger.
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Very cool make sure you do a build thread on the car I'll definitely be watching this one
 
I was gonna suggest doing the back seat first.

It's way easier, and you'll get the feel of where you can stretch and where you cant, and the feel of the hog rings and pliers.

I used a pair of channel locks and a hand sheet metal bender to grab, hold and pull the fabric.

The front bottoms are the next easiest. Mind where the holes will be once the fabric is stretched.

I was intimidated by the front backs and the listing wire, so I had an upholstery shop do those for $35 each and was happy to pay that.

The guy told me you put them on inside out to attach the listing than muscle them right side out.
 
I was gonna suggest doing the back seat first.

It's way easier, and you'll get the feel of where you can stretch and where you cant, and the feel of the hog rings and pliers.

I used a pair of channel locks and a hand sheet metal bender to grab, hold and pull the fabric.

The front bottoms are the next easiest. Mind where the holes will be once the fabric is stretched.

I was intimidated by the front backs and the listing wire, so I had an upholstery shop do those for $35 each and was happy to pay that.

The guy told me you put them on inside out to attach the listing than muscle them right side out.
Thank you for the tip. I would do the rear seat first, but unfortunately I haven't purchased the materials yet. I can see how the seat backs are intimidating . They were a pain to remove even. The head rest was the only part that wasn't destroyed. And it was on there pretty good.

I have done a fabric bench seat before, but never vinyl or a high back bucket. So here goes nothing.
I did buy harbor freight spring loaded hog ring pliers. We will see. I will post my progress .
 
Lol, Before I attempted to recover mine I must have had hours of time checking other folks posts and online video. Someone here had a hi-back seat re-cover post that was helpful for me as it was my first crack at it.
I found my '69 buckets had a lot of sharp corners and edges on them, so I rounded and deburred before I recovered them. I also found 3 of the 4 hinge bolt nuts were broke loose as well. None of them will come loose again!
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Keep your receipt for those HF hog pliers.

Mine broke about 1/3 way through the first cover.
 
Keep your receipt for those HF hog pliers.

Mine broke about 1/3 way through the first cover.

Thank's for the tip. I hope I still have it. I got a cheap set from LMC when I helped my daughter re-upholster her D150 bench seat. I remeber thinking that I was glad that it was mostly cloth.
Here is a few pictures of that:
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My daughter really didn't enjoy the work. But she has more appreciation for it now.
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One happy kid!
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That's the way to do it have the kid help then they have something to be proud of afterwards .
 
More progress today. Found hog rings at advance auto parts (500 for $10)
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Nice work!
I am pretty sure I remember when that car was for sale or one like it. Was one VIN number different than my 72 Rallye 440 car.
 
Nice work!
I am pretty sure I remember when that car was for sale or one like it. Was one VIN number different than my 72 Rallye 440 car.

Cool! I'd like to see your Rallye.
 
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