The front seat has four basic components: the bottom cushion, the seat frame including the sliding mount, a back finishing surround, and headrest.
Front seat cushion diaphragm
Front frame foams and rubber mesh
The bottom cushion utilizes a rubber diaphragm to provide a comfortable ride that is attached to the metal frame with embedded hooks. With a new foam pad and sewn leather cover, restoration becomes relatively easy.
The seat frame is more complicated. Foam sections create the basic contours of the seat back, and a rubber mesh holds things in from the rear.
New foams must be carefully positioned to get the cover to fit properly.
The original upholstery had a plastic moisture barrier between the foam and underside of the seat cover. This was eliminated since the need for such protection is questionable and the plastic tends to make a crinkly sound when one sits on it.
Original soft inset front seat surround
The front seat surround that hides the back of the metal infrastructure features a hardboard frame with a soft fabric center inset. This inset tends to get kicked in by passengers in the rear seat, and is easily soiled or stretched.
We decided to strengthen the inset with a rigid foam board as well as change the inset fabric from the relatively delicate tan vinyl/wool cloth to a more robust and forgiving black carpet (the underdash panels, upper half of the B/C post, A post, and dash top are all black vinyl).
Rigid foam board inset on surround
Modified front seat surround with black carpet
New foam and old headrest
The headrest uses a simple chromed glide to move up and down (there is no locking mechanism).
The glide is attached to a rectangular metal mount that fits into a slot in the headrest foam cushion.
Over time the foam cushion degrades and the cover becomes deformed. Restoration is straightforward; a new foam pad insert and leather cover returns the headrest to its 1970s factory-fresh appearance.
Refreshed headrest with new foam pad
When all four components are assembled, the front seat restoration is complete.
Front seat restoration
