1971 Challenger Convertible Rear Seat Question With Pics

[Daveh]

Hey guys,

I'm test fitting the rear seats for the wiring on my 1971 Challenger Convertible and there seems to be a gap between the lower seat and the interior panel (about 1-1/4").  But there isn't a gap between the upper seat back and panel.  There is a nice snug fit there. 

It this gap normal?

Thanks
Dave

[Daveh]

Ok I put the other side panel in and it narrowed the gap a little but there is still a lot of purple showing through in the back corner where the upper and lower seat meet and on the sides.  I attached some new pics.  Thanks

Yes both the upper and lower seat are installed correctly. 

[1 Wild R/T]

Some are worse than others, my guess is the upholsterer pulled the cover to tight... On a car I helped a friend build years ago the seat fit like that... Black paint is your friend.... 

[bcbassfishing]

Looks pretty standard to me ... mass produced cars that were just kinda thrown together.  Not a perfect world but it worked... I'm sure some would spend the time to modify to fit a little tighter but it's not the real mopar world.  Same with perfect door gaps, hood alignment ect.  Close was good enough just get it out the door.

[Daveh]

Thanks I just wanted confirmation.  I have a fairly easy fix to close up that gap that shouldn't take that long.  Thanks again. 

Dave

[cudaize]

Black paint is what the factory did so that body color did not show up between the seat and the side panel.  My 71 383 Cuda convertible had a a swatch of paint on each side about 3 inches wide that started somewhere under the carpet and went up the back and under the well liner.  I did take pictures of this but it was the early nineties and they were prints that I have stored away in a box, not scanned in or I would share it here.

Mike Afflerbach

[anlauto]

Do you have the little metal bracket in place that supports the bottom of the interior panel ?

[71vert340]

Here's  the black paint on my 71 convertible before I repainted the pan.
Terry

[71vert340]

 Here's photos showing the gap on my rear seat bottom which has not been recovered.
Terry

[Daveh]

I may have the bracket what do they look like?  I have a box of parts from the previous owner.  If not I will have to make them.  Thanks

[anlauto]

It's a simple "L" shaped bracket and it supports the bottom of the interior panel. To some degree, depending on where you mount it to the floor you can adjust the interior panel inboard or in your case outboard towards the seat

[ragtopdodge]

That's pretty huge as far as a gap.

Sure that's a convertible rear seat bottom?

[Daveh]

Nope note sure it's a convertible seat but it's what came with the car. Is there any way to tell the difference?

BTW I found the brackets.  I should be able to close the gap good enough for a plant worker from 1971.