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Posted

I would like to see examples of a scratch built or partially-scratch built FRONT bench seat for the MPC 1971-1976 Duster & Dart Sport annual kits . 

It appears that the rear seat can be cut-away from a spare interior tub , and modified into a front bench --- anyone perform this modification ? 

Please share examples , and details of how you built your example .

Thanks !

Posted

I've done it. But, not in a Mopar. You basically add styrene to the sides and back. Split it down the center on the seat back, fill in the resulting holes and add brackets to the bottom to raise it off the floorpan. 

Posted

Not a MOPAR expert, but I think that the trim level represented by the door panels and rear seat pattern would have a high back bench that would best be built out of three kit buckets and some styrene. Same thing for the AMT 71 Duster. The low back bench with separate headrests had a flatter, taxicab surface.

 

225465_Interior_Web.jpg

Posted
2 hours ago, Rodent said:

Not a MOPAR expert, but I think that the trim level represented by the door panels and rear seat pattern would have a high back bench that would best be built out of three kit buckets and some styrene. Same thing for the AMT 71 Duster. The low back bench with separate headrests had a flatter, taxicab surface.

 

225465_Interior_Web.jpg

This style bench seat didn't appear until 1973 i think. 

 

1970 1971 was a flat back front bench seat

 

Posted
On 11/1/2020 at 1:43 PM, Plowboy said:

You basically add styrene to the sides and back. Split it down the center on the seat back, fill in the resulting holes and add brackets to the bottom to raise it off the floorpan.

Perfect ! Thanks much for mentioning the details (brackets) as well --- the devil's in the details . 
Do you have a standalone example of your semi-scratch-built bench seats ?

Thanks much to all whom have chimed in here . 

20 hours ago, gtx6970 said:

This style bench seat didn't appear until 1973 i think. 

 

The upgraded , all-vinyl with centre arm rest is definitely a 1973-1976 item .  My 1:1 1973 Duster's interior was pretty gross when I got it . Even though I'm a smoker  , that interior was disgusting ! There were burn marques everywhere , and it stunk like a thrift store / pool hall combo . The carpets were replaced with rubber mats from a 1971 Duster (junk yard) which were in perfect condition . The front seat was destroyed absolutely . I found a 1975 Dart sedan in the 'yard with a perfect black vinyl bench just like the one in the above photo . The only problem was , since it was from a 4 door , the seat back was fixed-in-place ( haha ) .

 

Posted
1 hour ago, slusher said:

Harts parts has one for a 70 GTX could it be made work?

I've seen the various bench seats -- 1970 Super Bee , 1967 GTX , 1971 Duster -- and have definitely considered them . The only problem (on my end) is that I'd be eliminating most of the work on the resin piece in order to add the correct upholstery pattern . I'll have to peruse Harts page again .

Thanks for the heads up !

Posted
6 hours ago, 1972coronet said:

Perfect ! Thanks much for mentioning the details (brackets) as well --- the devil's in the details . 
Do you have a standalone example of your semi-scratch-built bench seats ?

 

No. All I have is a couple finished and installed.

20200630_084929-1.jpg.97ec581b02be74e896b8721324466ce9.jpg20200630_084945-1.jpg.0af6da4b64fcb5d4b3f54eb45a203d91.jpg

Posted
2 hours ago, Plowboy said:

No. All I have is a couple finished and installed.

20200630_084929-1.jpg.97ec581b02be74e896b8721324466ce9.jpg20200630_084945-1.jpg.0af6da4b64fcb5d4b3f54eb45a203d91.jpg

66 or 68 Chevy?  Roger you very talented and do about anything you want like Steve...

Posted
5 hours ago, slusher said:

66 or 68 Chevy?  Roger you very talented and do about anything you want like Steve...

Thanx Carl! It's from my 66 Malibu sedan I posted a while back. 

Posted
8 hours ago, Plowboy said:

All I have is a couple finished and installed.

Perfect ! Thanks much for posting that 1966 Chevelle interior -- it's splendid ! 

Posted

I just received the 1971 Duster Bench Seat from Hart's Parts --- as usual , a perfect piece ! So clean it looks like styrene ! NO flash , NO bubbles , NO imperfections ! Separate head rests are a nice , thoughtful bonus .

I bought it for three reasons :

1.) To use as a 'template' for the semi-scratch-built seat for the MPC Duster 

2.) To use in the MPC 1972 Duster annual that's in my stash

3.) To support one of my favourite resin casters

If you've never "pulled the trigger" on buying something from Hart , do yourself a favour : do it ! You won't be disappointed !

Posted
On 11/2/2020 at 5:57 PM, 1972coronet said:

Perfect ! Thanks much for mentioning the details (brackets) as well --- the devil's in the details . 
Do you have a standalone example of your semi-scratch-built bench seats ?

Thanks much to all whom have chimed in here . 

The upgraded , all-vinyl with centre arm rest is definitely a 1973-1976 item .  My 1:1 1973 Duster's interior was pretty gross when I got it . Even though I'm a smoker  , that interior was disgusting ! There were burn marques everywhere , and it stunk like a thrift store / pool hall combo . The carpets were replaced with rubber mats from a 1971 Duster (junk yard) which were in perfect condition . The front seat was destroyed absolutely . I found a 1975 Dart sedan in the 'yard with a perfect black vinyl bench just like the one in the above photo . The only problem was , since it was from a 4 door , the seat back was fixed-in-place ( haha ) .

 

I had a 71 Dart - did the same thing.   There was a latch on the seat backs that could be removed.  Didn't allow the seat back to lock in upright position, but I held that in place - not like safety was a high priority then.   And the rear seat of a 4 door was rounded on the outside corners, but it worked.   My door cards were out of a Duster.  

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