Topic: Bucket seat needs repair - 66

[BTclassics]

1966 standard bucket seats. The entire interior is original - nothing has been replaced and still very nice. The car doesn't get driven much. We were taking the Mustang out for a drive, sat in the passenger seat and it split at the seam. :'( Any recommendations on trying to repair? I think having the 1 seat bottom replaced would look out of place with the rest of the interior. I tried contacting a mobile interior repair service and they don't work on classic cars. Am I out of luck or do I have to try to find another original seat somewhere?

[J_Speegle]

Not sure if the measurements will provide a large enough panel to work with but have done it on other years so consider finding an original coupe back seat with one or more panels large enough to use as a replacement for bucket seat panel that is ripped at the seam. A shop will be able to do this with no problem.

Pretty easy and coupe rear seats can be found. The problem I found is that they have so little value and so large to store not many people keep them 

Good luck with your search

[jwc66k]

1966 standard bucket seats.  We were taking the Mustang out for a drive, sat in the passenger seat and it split at the seam.

Not sure if the measurements will provide a large enough panel to work with but have done it on other years so consider finding an original coupe back seat with one or more panels large enough to use as a replacement for bucket seat panel that is ripped at the seam. A shop will be able to do this with no problem.

Most Mustang Supply Houses carry seat covers so that's not going to be a problem. If there are any nearby Mustang clubs, check with them for an upholstery shop, actually, any local car club may help. If you do go to a shop, replace the foam, also available from Mustang Supply Houses. Those seats are close to 60 some odd years old. The internals are standard burlap and hog rings. Consider doing both seats.
My first attempt was not too bad, the second was a lot (yes, it is two words) better. (It helps when your grandfather was an upholsterer.)
Jim

[BTclassics]

How close are the reproductions to the originals? I would probably have to do both buckets (uppers and lowers) to make them match. (Which is what I wanted to avoid.)
The original interior was really nice given the age. It was very upsetting when it split. I assume the vinyl got dried out. Not sure if a conditioner would have helped.

Using the upholstery from a coupe back seat for the repair is an interesting idea. Although trying to find one still presents a challenge.

[J_Speegle]

How close are the reproductions to the originals? I would probably have to do both buckets (uppers and lowers) to make them match. (Which is what I wanted to avoid.) The original interior was really nice given the age. It was very upsetting when it split. I assume the vinyl got dried out. Not sure if a conditioner would have helped.

Reproduction quality varies. There are a number of threads that compare or at least have comments and experience with one brand (makers not sellers) our another

Personally if you have a really nice original interior I would try and keep it. Once you start replacing one item the differences will start to be very noticeable. Now if your doing a complete regular concours restoration where reproduction items are allowed, then original material often looks out of place and will often get some attention due to age and wear related details.

If you do one seat, yes top and bottom then the passenger seat will likely look different since its made of different material, thickness and so on. Then it may be door panels, carpet and on and on

Using the upholstery from a coupe back seat for the repair is an interesting idea. Although trying to find one still presents a challenge.

Just depends. Found a 69 rear coupe seat at the first place I checked with. Places are more than happy to sell things that are very slow movers

[jwc66k]

In the picture, your seat looks black. Is that the color? If so, it's the easiest color to match. Again, do both front seats so the pattern matches. 
Jim

[BTclassics]

Correct - it is black. (Picture is from when the split happened and hadn't cleaned it yet.) I would like to keep the original if possible.

Figured black might be easier to find. However, my initial search in my area turned up a blue coupe backseat. (I know they can be dyed but then it probably wouldn't match the rest of the interior.) Saw a couple bench seats and a ripped up core. Then I thought I lucked out - advertised as 1966 passenger side bucket seat only in good condition. But the center insert material doesn't match. Urgh. Will keep looking.

[jwc66k]

Contrary to the "experts", I've had excellent success with seat covers I've bought from National Parts Depot (one of the top management types is a member of this forum - Scott302). I've bought the "deluxe" (aka Pony) that's in my 66 hardtop (it's black) and a standard black front set in my 65 GT Fastback (see below - that car has been in 15 different calendars). NPD advertises two different suppliers, TMI and Distinctive. Don't fall for the "hype". Select and get it done.
Jim

[66kcoupe]

This is my ?66 coupe, unrestored, bought new by my dad. The drivers seat split and I recovered it myself (TMI), the new seat cover was very close to the original. Most people don?t notice unless I point it out. The biggest difference is I replaced the foam too and the contour is slightly different on the bottom, most likely due to age.

[S412gofast]

We had similar splits on each side of center panel on the driver's seat in our 1967 Shelby GT350. Being that the upholstery was all original we opted to get the seat repaired.  The top panels on both side bolsters were replaced with new vinyl with a very close to original grain pattern to repair both splits.  If the original upholstery is carefully taken apart you could possibly reuse the original piping too.

[jwc66k]

We had similar splits on each side of center panel on the driver's seat in our 1967 Shelby GT350. Being that the upholstery was all original we opted to get the seat repaired.  The top panels on both side bolsters were replaced with new vinyl with a very close to original grain pattern to repair both splits.  If the original upholstery is carefully taken apart you could possibly reuse the original piping too.

The age of original set covers usually inhibits its reuse (a 65 Mustang is 60 years old), especially when the seat cover splits along a seam. I've taken seam "separated" cover to professional upholsters and all they can do is put a "doubler reinforcement panel" on the inside of the cover that leaves top, bottom and side threads on the outside. 
See reply 7 above.
Jim

[S412gofast]

Fortunately the repairs worked out for us without any additional visible stiitching.  Also for a 1967 no one reproduces the comfortweave like the original material.