'67 BUCKET SEAT HEADREST FABRICATION.
What I have done is only because I've had so much trouble finding a pair of '67 headrests, so is only a compromise at best. Now I get to hear every "car show genius" that walks up, how mine are wrong. Oh well, at least they're interesting, lol!
They will also be a good safety upgrade for upcoming 4th of July 3,000 mile trip, and I think they do look nice (not counting the year factor) too.
Now that I'm done, I can share a few final pics. My seats had just been re-apolstered with Legendary covers, in the original Pearl White and the apolsterer wrapped the top of my seats in foam. It was fine, but confused me when I was trying to understand how and where the spring clips go.
It wasn't until I looked again at your pics that I poked the foam with my finger and realized the clips go inside or behind the foam! I hacked the foam surgery, but I think it is fine again beneath the vinyl covers. Also, on top of the seats I had to hack through the foam with my razor blade to get the large black plastic pieces on.
Once the foam was removed, it revealed the big hole in the middle, the two mounting screw holes, and a smaller hole for that odd third screw hole in the black part that I've mentioned. That definately oriented the part. I couldn't believe my PG kit did not come with those screws. I picked some new ones up at my local Ace Hardware (#4 X 3/4") and a couple of extra spring clip screws (#4 X 3/8") just in case...
The hog ring experience was new to me, but not bad. I had bought a bent hog ring plier with rings which worked well. Also, I found that it made things much easier to use a small 8" bolt cutters (HF $6.00) to cut the old hog rings out.
I think they turned out reasonably well. It was $400.00 for the '68 PG headrests, and I paid $200.00 for "expert" TIG welding to get the best chance of not melting the vinyl.
My only regret in the process is that I made the flat bar just a little too long, and left the nds square. If I did it again I would take about 1/2" off each side and make the ends round.
Overall, I'm happy for now! I'll continue to keep an eye out for a realistically priced deal on some old used '67s. Meanwhile, at least now I've got something not too bad looking on top of my seats! :)
Thanks for the post 65Val, your pics really helped me out! Nice interior too (with correct for '67 headreststs).
What I have done is only because I've had so much trouble finding a pair of '67 headrests, so is only a compromise at best. Now I get to hear every "car show genius" that walks up, how mine are wrong. Oh well, at least they're interesting, lol!
They will also be a good safety upgrade for upcoming 4th of July 3,000 mile trip, and I think they do look nice (not counting the year factor) too.
Now that I'm done, I can share a few final pics. My seats had just been re-apolstered with Legendary covers, in the original Pearl White and the apolsterer wrapped the top of my seats in foam. It was fine, but confused me when I was trying to understand how and where the spring clips go.
It wasn't until I looked again at your pics that I poked the foam with my finger and realized the clips go inside or behind the foam! I hacked the foam surgery, but I think it is fine again beneath the vinyl covers. Also, on top of the seats I had to hack through the foam with my razor blade to get the large black plastic pieces on.
Once the foam was removed, it revealed the big hole in the middle, the two mounting screw holes, and a smaller hole for that odd third screw hole in the black part that I've mentioned. That definately oriented the part. I couldn't believe my PG kit did not come with those screws. I picked some new ones up at my local Ace Hardware (#4 X 3/4") and a couple of extra spring clip screws (#4 X 3/8") just in case...
The hog ring experience was new to me, but not bad. I had bought a bent hog ring plier with rings which worked well. Also, I found that it made things much easier to use a small 8" bolt cutters (HF $6.00) to cut the old hog rings out.
I think they turned out reasonably well. It was $400.00 for the '68 PG headrests, and I paid $200.00 for "expert" TIG welding to get the best chance of not melting the vinyl.
My only regret in the process is that I made the flat bar just a little too long, and left the nds square. If I did it again I would take about 1/2" off each side and make the ends round.
Overall, I'm happy for now! I'll continue to keep an eye out for a realistically priced deal on some old used '67s. Meanwhile, at least now I've got something not too bad looking on top of my seats! :)