This post showcases both black and tan VH seat trim and door cards that we recently completed for two separate customers.
Having done so many Charger and Pacer seats it still never gets boring for us.
The tan toned vinyl combination is of a very close and decent match to the factory Chrysler vinyl. We opted for a Ford “kiwi light saddle” roebuck vinyl for the outer, and Holden HJ “long grain” for the seats’ pleated inserts. The end result is so very vibrant and looks sun-kissed. This is a great option for the VH/VJ Chargers and VH Pacers.
We make our door cards using a sewing machine as opposed to heat / plastic welding etc. It is a choice. The amount of work that goes into sewing and securing the stitches rubs the skin off my fingers but the end result is undeniably neat. Each set is crafted meticulously and methodically. This style can be done for both Chargers and Pacers, in any colour that you like to match your seats.
This post is about how we pattern and why we require access to the frames in order to achieve the best job possible.
We recently got given a job to trim the seats for a Plymouth Duster that lives in the South Island. This customer’s front seats however are not of the original Duster, but came out of a New Zealand VH/VJ Charger. Luckily the back seat is still original and both frames even still have got their tags hog ringed to the springs.
What’s the job?
Our job is to make front seat skins and matching seat foam to suit the front bucket seats. This is straight forward as we already have the patterns for the Todd motors assembled VH/VJ Charger seats. Another trimmer down in the South will fit them.
Our job is to also retrim the back seat to match. This is less straight forward as a new pattern will be required. The idea is to create a unique pattern that fits the Duster back seat, using patterns that look like the Australian VH Charger (big muscular bulges) as well as inserts that look like the Todd motors VH Charger to match the front seat trim.
The patterning process:
The back seat frames start out being blasted and painted. Luckily no broken metal or spring has been found!
Then it’s time to prep the frames. A new calico pocket is made for housing the two wires and this gets hog ringed to the top of the back rest frame. A strip of underlay felt is glued to the bottom frame so to protect the new seat skin.
Now is patterning time. A base layer foam with hessian backing is our blank canvas. But we want this cute little Duster seat to resemble the muscular look of the VH Charger. So extra foam bolsters and humps are added to bulk up the seat. We then create a new, unique pattern using patterning tarp and work out where the added listing wires will need to go using a needle.
The frame is akin to a mannequin. With access to the actual thing we can check our patterns and make adjustments and/or improvement where required.
This is THE set of seats that we used for modelling and filming our instructional videos of fitting VH Charger seats. Find out about our new Youtube Channel here.
Complementing the seats is a set of sewn door trims. These are not stamped out but every stitch is made by a sewing machine. This is the way we prefer. We can match door trims to seats in the same fabric whether it be vinyl, cloth or leather.
In recent times we’ve been fortunately enough to help restore some seats in VH and VJ hardtop coupes. Both cars are in NZ.
The seats have all been stripped down, inspected and repaired thoroughly. This means doing tedious tasks such as taking the factory springs out to blast and paint the frames, doing welding repairs on the frames (often back seat frames are bent from being used a lot over the years and/or yanked out of the car etc.), bending up new springs to replace broken or fatigued seat springs (and often adding support springs to reinforce inherently weak factory springs), etc etc etc…
then we make the fun, new and clean stuff like foam and covers. The VH VJ hardtops have been a new model for us so we need the original seats to develop, test and iron out our patterns in terms of the foam kits and seat skins. We love this part because it’s new and exciting, although it takes time and patience.
Before we fit new foam and covers, the seat frames need to have been properly prepared and readied. This again means doing tedious things like padding places where springs can squeak, wrapping jute paper around connecting spring wires, gluing felt/rubber/leather onto sharp parts of the frame so to protect new covers from being damaged prematurely etc etc etc etc etc… …
then onto the strenuous part of the job: fitting. This part is a mixture of wrestling, massaging and persuading so to make every seat look its best (as can be imagined).
The final part of tuning out beautiful seats is a mixture of checking and fixing the alignment of seat pleats, massaging out wrinkles and creases, installing hardware and sometimes we finish off by gently heating the seat skins to sit into the foam better.
Each interior is a bit of an experience or a journey. Some are easier than others because we had been there already and had learned to do things better or more efficiently. We enjoy every set that we’ve done and thank our customers for your patience and support.
Recently completed a set of VH R/T seats for a Charger that a customer brought to NZ from Australia. Not a bad way to start 2025!
Front bottom seat springs in both seats were fatigued and way past their usefulness. New seat springs are a must for seats this old. Wouldn’t be very comfortable or great looking seats if we simply put them old springs back in.
We love a comfortable drive so we think great driving seats are a must!
Speaking of long drives and road trips we happened to visit Te Aroha, where we spotted a “Valiant” … …
A front set of black VJ Charger seat skins in vinyl being made for a customer. Would suit VH Chargers with Todd Motors seats (non reclining bucket seats).
One of the first jobs that we did since moving back to New Zealand from Melbourne is a front set of VH 770 Charger bucket seats for a customer in Auckland. This customer has a New Zealand built Charger who wanted the right seats. This set of Australian built VH 770 Charger seats are actually perfect for the car. The Ozzie seats tilt forward as well as recline.
Seat Materials
The seats’ pleated inserts are made using Chrysler diamond dot vinyl, which look very cool and make a great contrast to the outer panels which are Chrysler roebuck.
If you’re intending to trim your Charger using this diamond pattern vinyl, you would need approximately 2 metres for the seat inserts front and rear, another 2 metres for the rear parcel shelf and four door top sections (2 front door tops and 2 rear quarter sections). This vinyl is imported from America. The rest of the seats, and door trims are done in Chrysler roebuck, which is obtainable from Australia.
Door Trims
Chrysler door cards are as tasteful as their seats’ designs. We recreate factory looking door trims using a sewing machine for the stitches/pleats.
Choices
We think it is utterly cool however you envision doing your Charger, as adding a touch of difference or uniqueness is what we think makes rebuilding/restoring these cars fun and challenging. In the past, customers have opted for cowhide leather, original vinyl/cloth fabrics, as well as vinyl colours close enough to the original. Whatever you choose, we can assist in obtaining the fabrics and making sure everything looks as holistic and aesthetically pleasing as possible.
Each project might feel like a big long build, but nearing the end of the tunnel you’d want to know you have comfortable seats to drive in!
Some sad looking sun visors are seeing the light of day again, after a major refreshening from new wire form to new board to new foam to new cover…finished off with a bunch of hand sewing (fingers need a few days to recover)!
