'37 Century Modest Restoration

[Stooge]

Theres a slightly off topic (hot rod) 1937 Plymouth coupe i am doing some metal repairs on for someone, thats keeping me busy, but i managed to get a few things done so i can bring the seats home and out of harms way with all of the other metal work going on. 

 

The seats were mostly complete, but one of the bottoms, was missing the handle/ leg support that actuates a latch to lock the seats into the buckets. The seller didnt think he had them, and never contacted me to say other wise, and i figured the likelihood of finding one was pretty slim so i started to cobble one together!

Starting with some 304 stainless 1/4" rod, and a little chunk of 304 1/4" plate,  stainless so that it could eventually be polished up. 

 

20210614_180242 by Dan Haas, on Flickr

 

20210704_184403 by Dan Haas, on Flickr

 

Eventually had a shape to somewhat match the toothed head to move the latch mechanism 

 

20210704_202903 by Dan Haas, on Flickr

 

Tig welded with 308L rod to the 1/4" rod and sanded down a bit, i left some of this stuff a little rough so there was enough material when i go to sand it down and polish everything. 

 

20210704_205911 by Dan Haas, on Flickr

 

For the bracket, i found a piece of .5 x 1.5 x .125 304 stainless rectangular tubing since i didnt think i would be too successful in replicating such a tight bend with the material thickness. 

 

20210717_111328 by Dan Haas, on Flickr

 

20210717_111400 by Dan Haas, on Flickr

 

A few layers of tape over the original bracket provided a little template 

 

20210717_113657 by Dan Haas, on Flickr 

 

20210717_114247 by Dan Haas, on Flickr

 

20210717_114526 by Dan Haas, on Flickr

 

A few die grinders, files, some heat, a hammer and a vise later, i had this

 

20210717_123836 by Dan Haas, on Flickr

 

20210717_141614 by Dan Haas, on Flickr

 

Originally, the handle was riveted to the bracket, so i'll either rivet it, or find some 'not so out of place' looking hardware keep the handle in place, so that it is removable if the need ever arises, and i wont have to cut a rivet out. 

 

20210717_141657 by Dan Haas, on Flickr

 

20210717_142720 by Dan Haas, on Flickr

 

(Ignore the flash rust on the new floor, it gets awfully hot and sweaty in there setting the seats up!)

 

20210717_144204 by Dan Haas, on Flickr

 

I think whats left is to make the rear tab brackets for the seat buckets to secure them to the car floor, make some sort of pad or puck to reinforce the floor where the seat handle/ stand will sit, and figure out how/ where the side cushions secure to under the rear quarter windows. 

 

20210717_144034 by Dan Haas, on Flickr

Edited July 19, 2021 by Stooge (see edit history)

[valk]

You are an artisan of the highest order, great fabrication. 

[Stooge]

4 hours ago, valk said:

You are an artisan of the highest order, great fabrication. 

 

Hey, thank you, i really appreciate that! I'm just a hobbyist, but i like to be able to say that with whatever it is, that i tried to do the best job i could do and be proud of, with the resources i have. This car is sneakily getting nicer and nicer, so i'm trying to do right by it and do things the right way!

[bobj49f2]

Dan, I apologize for not getting back to you on the missing bracket.  I didn't find anything else for seats.  Looks like you're able to handle it.  I think your new bracket looks a lot better than the original.  Seats looks great in the car, glad it's all working out.

 

[Stooge]

On 7/24/2021 at 2:30 PM, bobj49f2 said:

Dan, I apologize for not getting back to you on the missing bracket.  I didn't find anything else for seats.  Looks like you're able to handle it.  I think your new bracket looks a lot better than the original.  Seats looks great in the car, glad it's all working out.

 

 

Hey Bob, thanks, i appreciate it, and no problem about not getting back, i figured you didnt have it when it didnt come with the seats, i had to ask just in case, (and it was fun to make the new handle and bracket). i had been meaning to shoot you some pictures of the seats set up last week. I was thinking of, and probably will at some point, of making another handle for the other side so they would match and could be polished up, but its fine for the time being and theres enough other stuff to do to keep me busy. If i get them reupholstered, i will definitely be making another one though. 

Thanks again for the smooth transaction! 

Edited July 26, 2021 by Stooge (see edit history)