66-68 Headrests

[V63]

Wanting to add the headrest option to a 1968 fleetwood. Have all those parts ‘visible’. But no internal parts. Anyone familiar with this anticipated project? Later seats (1974-6) internals are more of a fixture of the seat frame.

[The Tassie Devil(le)]

G'day William,

You will need these internal parts, which I had to reinstall in a '69 that the owner wanted the upholsterer to leave out when he reupholstered his car.

I found that the plastic "nuts" were broken, so I opted for metal ones, and then had fun installing them in the holes, as this part of the seat frame is a box section.

If your seat frames aren't designed for head restraints, then it might be best to look at getting later seats, and cutting out the section that holds the "frame" and transplanting that into your '68 seat back frame.

Hope this helps.

Bruce.

[cadillacmike68]

I could see adding them to a closed body Fleetwood, but No Way on my 68 convertible; the 68 headrests are bugly.

[Bob Hoffmann CLC#96]

Please show us a picture of what you want.

[The Tassie Devil(le)]

I would think that the fitting of head restraints after the vehicle was sent to the Dealer, would not be a reasonable task for the Dealer to perform.

The upholstery (seat back) would have to be completely disassembled to perform the task, and this task should have been left to the factory to supply the restraints during manufacture.

There would be a great possibility of the dealer not getting the seat upholstery sitting back as it was, thereby an unsatisfied costomer.

Bruce.

[Glen]

The upholstery (seat back) would have to be completely disassembled to perform the task, and this task should have been left to the factory to supply the restraints during manufacture.
Bruce.

I'm not so sure.  It looks like the seat backs come off in one piece.  I vaguely remember taking the seats apart on a parts car and  IIRC the head rest parts are readily accessible then. 

[The Tassie Devil(le)]

The '69 and up uses a single post, but if the internals aren't installed at the factory, then then a virtual complete stripping will need to take place, in order to cut the frame, drill and fit the internal framework and supporting structure.

My book shows that the head restraint is an option for 1968 for both bench and bucket seats.

Would be nice to see what a non head restraint seat back would look like.

I can't see the factory paying for tens of thousands of specific parts, just in case the owner wants head restraints after the options listing was submitted at ordering time.

Bruce.

[Glen]

The seat back on my 68 ELDO with the Strato bench seat looks just like the one in the image I sent.  It did not come with headrest, but I found a set and they are in the rafters of my garage.  IIRC I just took the back off the seat back and removed the parts.  Installation would be the reverse. 

[The Tassie Devil(le)]

My book shows the Strato seat with the head restraint, explaining that all these seats came with the said head restraint.   And it was also available for the Eldorado as well.

Bruce.

[Cadillac1967inthenorth]

Headrests in devilles with bench seat seems rare in 1967-1968. In the sales brochure from 1967 and 1968 its seems like they are different types each year.
The 1967 headrests

are not as "deep" as the 1968


I just found a pair from 1968 that I plan to install in my 1967. 1967 headrests are not common here in Europe.

[J. Skelly]

Front head restraints were mandatory on all U.S. vehicles sold in the U.S. starting January 1, 1969.  I think the expectation was that since many built vehicles would not be sold prior to January 1, all of the 1969 models came with them.  I just don't recall after all of these years.

It was an option on 1966-1968 GM vehicles, and standard on the 1968 Corvette since its seats had an integrated headrest.

[badpoints]

My 67 Sedan DeVille has headrests. It made it very difficult to remove the front seat when I painted the floor.

[Cadillac1967inthenorth]

I found a pic of a 1968 Buick LeSabre. It has headrests that looks a lot like the Cadillac ones from 1967. Was there a "standard" B and C body Headrest or was it different headrest for every make?

[Cadillac1967inthenorth]

My 67 Sedan DeVille has headrests. It made it very difficult to remove the front seat when I painted the floor.

Nice! Is it not possible to remove the headrests? I understand How difficult it must be to get the seats out with them on.

[badpoints]

The headrests don't come off without taking apart the seat. I had to rotate the seat 180 and was able to remove because there is no post.

[Cadillac1967inthenorth]

The headrests don't come off without taking apart the seat. I had to rotate the seat 180 and was able to remove because there is no post.

That sounds horrible!

[The Tassie Devil(le)]

In 99% of cases, the Head Rests can be removed by inserting a special clip remover down the rest shaft, and releasing the spring retainer.

Once having a seat apart, it is easy to see how the spring operates, and then how to over-ride it.

These head rests were not designed to be removed, as doing so would negate the Federal Safety Laws.  Plus, in the event of a major crash, forces could act in allowing the items to fall out.

The picture is the sneaky spring clip for 1971 and 1972 as a minimum.   This hits the recess in the support that cannot be seen even with the head rest out as far as it can go.

Bruce.  

[Cadillac1967inthenorth]

In 99% of cases, the Head Rests can be removed by inserting a special clip remover down the rest shaft, and releasing the spring retainer.


Bruce.  

Thank You! Im must check the documentation for my Imperial. Im pretty shure that the owners manual or service manual explains How to remove the headrests

Was there any difference among GM cars regarding the headrest shaft, or was it the same in A, B and C-bodies?

[Cadillac1967inthenorth]

In 99% of cases, the Head Rests can be removed by inserting a special clip remover down the rest shaft, and releasing the spring retainer.

Once having a seat apart, it is easy to see how the spring operates, and then how to over-ride it.

These head rests were not designed to be removed, as doing so would negate the Federal Safety Laws.  Plus, in the event of a major crash, forces could act in allowing the items to fall out.

The picture is the sneaky spring clip for 1971 and 1972 as a minimum.   This hits the recess in the support that cannot be seen even with the head rest out as far as it can go.

Bruce.  

Thank you, that was great!

[Cadillac1967inthenorth]

In 99% of cases, the Head Rests can be removed by inserting a special clip remover down the rest shaft, and releasing the spring retainer.

Once having a seat apart, it is easy to see how the spring operates, and then how to over-ride it.

These head rests were not designed to be removed, as doing so would negate the Federal Safety Laws.  Plus, in the event of a major crash, forces could act in allowing the items to fall out.

The picture is the sneaky spring clip for 1971 and 1972 as a minimum.   This hits the recess in the support that cannot be seen even with the head rest out as far as it can go.

Bruce.  

Thank you!