I got my front seat back from the upholstery shop and the guy told me that the chrome helmet shaped caps at the rod end of the backrest did not come off without damaging them. I was unable to find those items in my parts catalog so I don't have a part number to research. For reference, Fusick shows a rod end cap for 62-65 models bucket seats, part #3288 on page 113 of the catalog (#58C) that I have. If someone knows where I can get a couple of those that will fit my 68 bench seat, I sure would appreciate it.

 

50s-60s-70s and beyond Buick, Chevy, Olds, Pontiac shared plenty of parts when new and now with the reproduction parts industry. Dont rule out Corvette and Cadillac.

Fusick has these items. Their online catalog search sucks. I always call the vendors.
Always search out USA parts when available.

https://www.classicindustries.com/pr...ts/ND6668.html

 

IIRC, when I re-did mine years ago I was able to find one that fit at the hardware store. May not have been "factory correct", but few folks would notice.

 

It's been a while but I'm pretty sure the end caps I used on my '68 bench seat were the ones advertised by Fusick as part number 3288, 61-65 bucket seat rod cap. I suspect that a lot of those seat rods are the same size. As you said, the originals don't come off easy as they weren't even around when I inherited my car as a project.

Randy C.
'68 4-4-2 convertible
'69 4-4-2 convertible

 

Remind me, but I'm pretty sure the bench seat hinges were covered by a little plastic cover- which means the original lock was not the chrome cap style, but rather a basic retainer.

Just go to your hardware store and buy a c-clip that size or an axle cap "washer" (no cap) it is exactly the same thing, and will hold it on just fine w/o paying restoration catalog prices and shipping.