Re upholstery or replacement question

[Biggredd2069]

So took my car into s shop and they ripped the seat. They are refusing to repair it. I'm pretty bitter about it and I haven't given up the fight yet. The seat is ripped in 2 places now but also it needs new springs and foam regardless. I'm debating to rebuild the seat but know it won't be cheap. I'd really really prefer a seat that reclines but also still has the release button to push the seat forward for rear entry. Are there any easy replace seats that recline I can have color matched or is it a bigger deal than its worth?

 

[CBODY67]

2dr bench seat or factory buckets? Original seat covers? How did the rips happen? What kind of work was being done?

Any legal claims will need to have picture documentation AND repair estimates to put it back in "like kind quality" condition. Just the damaged fabric, not anything under it. Thsoe claims would then have to probably be presented in the local muncipal court (small claims court?). Can end up being more trouble/money than it's worth, which the shop owner probably knows already. Read the fine print on the repair order, with respect to shop liability of customers' vehicles while in their care, too. The other issue is that you'll have to prove negligence on the shop's part, which can be tricky, sometimes.

A side issue, if the upholstery is original to the car, is that fabrics age and "dry rot", but can still look pretty good. But if something happens "wrong", they are fragile enough to tear, rip, or shred.

IF the shop is one you've had good luck with over the past "time", then they might help you with the repair costs, AFTER you get it repaired. But that is a very highly variable situation! Any agreements need to be "in wriging" and signed by you, them, and a witness, and then dated.

I believe the seat back release knobs/buttons/levers startee with the 1968 models? Maybe '69? The automatic "push forward" situation was usually only on Imperials, Cadillacs, and such with power rh seats, but there migiht have been some non-power versions somewhere along the line, too?

Just some thoughts,
CBODY67

 

[Biggredd2069]

Original vinyl bucket seats. The mechanics were just plopping themselves in and ripped the butt part. Then one of them may have had a knife or multi tool on his belt and ripped the back rest. Manager has been frustrating. Talked to owner today. He'll get back to me. Some caution should be used though with a classic car. And they left my car outside and got broke into. Tried to steal it unsuccessfully. Been a **** show with this place. But I don't wanna leave it like this and would like to recline .before and after listed.

 

[CBODY67]

Some people see "classic" and might take a bit of extra care to "keep it nice". But others see "an old car", which might make anything that happens "normal wear and tear". I would hope that any tech would take care to ensure that NO vehicle is damaged by the shop or its employees. Might have been a leather-interior later model car rather than your vehicle that this happend to.

The "theft" issue is a different deal altogether. That's on your insurance, not theirs, as signage should state.

Back then, the only factory recliners were on the passenger side only. There can be some small adjustments that can be made where the seat back rests on the cushion area, though. But probably not a lot, compared to how late model seats are.

As for those early recliners, their pivot point was ahead of the seat back's intersection to the seat cushion. As it laid back, the seat back moved rearward, too, which made for a more comfortable situation. By the mid-'70s, the recliners simply pivoted the lean back section at the rear of the seat cushion.

On the '66 C-body cars, the manual seat tracks had slots in them, and upper and lower part on each side, with slots that allowed the seat position to be customized for the driver. I know it existed for bench seats, but not sure about buckets. But it moved the entire seat's position, not just the lean-back.

Sorry you had those experiences at that repair shop!

CBODY67

 

[rapidtrans]

Unless he had a wrench or screwdriver in his back pocket I don’t see this as on them. seats are over 50 years old and dried out by now. Anybody sitting on the seat is liable to split or crack it.
Too much weight on your hand while cleaning or working inside the car will crack an old seat the easiest. Don’t ask me how I know!

 

[Big_John]

The seat split is a classic "knee in seat" split. You get in and kneel on the seat and the old vinyl can't take it. Seen it happen way too much.

The seat back looks like another "old vinyl" split. Can't tell you why it happened, but it comes down to it wasn't there when you dropped the car off.

I would look at Legendary for replacement covers and not be afraid to threaten and follow through with taking them to court. Smile a lot, don't threaten, just say, "Geez... It's gonna be so much easier for all of us if you guys just worked with me" Having the car broken into on their watch may or may not help you. I don't know.

Easy and cool way to add adjustability to the seat is to swap the base with an electric adjustable base. It won't completely recline, but it will tip and raise along with fore and aft.

 

[1966newport]

no way are you entitled to new seats

 

[twostick]

DMPS-5545 Mopar Seat Cover 1968 Chrysler 300 & Newport Front Buckets - dantesparts.com

Kevin

 

[Biggredd2069]

Yikes. Expensive.

 

[twostick]

Yikes. Expensive.

They're Legendary covers so you can shop them around. I think if you're a Moparts member, you can get 10% off from Dante's.

Kevin