1968 Headrests

[FastbackJon]

Just curious as to what the headrests in 1968 looked like from the factory.

The ones on my 1968 Charger have been recovered and I'd like to put them back to original. The silver metallic fronts are obviously aftermarket, but the backs appear to be Dorchester grain vinyl stitched. So I'm wondering if they just recovered the fronts.

I purchased a pair of new "Authentic Mopar Restoration" headrests and they're molded vinyl in what apperas to be ascot or cologne grain, with molded stitches. This can't be correct, can it?

I would guess that the factory headrests were Ascot grain actual vinyl on the front to match the 1968 front inserts, and the back was Dorchester grain with real stitches, like what is on my car.

Here are pictures...

1st - Two 1968 Seat Reference Pictures
2nd - My sparkly silver and white 1968 Headrests
3rd (separate post) - New molded headrests

So what did the headrests look like from the factory?

[FastbackJon]

And here are the aftermarket ones...

[Brock Lee]

I purchased a pair of new "Authentic Mopar Restoration" headrests and they're molded vinyl in what apperas to be ascot or cologne grain, with molded stitches. This can't be correct, can it?

Yes sir, that is correct!They are molded out of a soft material similar to the lower dash pads/glovebox door. Someone who recovered your originals did a better than usual job. Most ignored the molded seam on the back and chrome trim. They would end up looking like loaves of bread.

Here is a side shot of my original. The grain is close to the upper door pad grain, and is the same all over. No difference front to back.

[Mopar Nut]

Yes sir, that is correct!They are molded out of a soft material similar to the lower dash pads/glovebox door. Someone who recovered your originals did a better than usual job. Most ignored the molded seam on the back and chrome trim. They would end up looking like loaves of bread.

Jon where did you get the aftermarket ones?

[john108]

My '68 Charger seats look like the 1st picture. 
No hint of a head rest.

[Lennard]

My '68 Charger seats look like the 1st picture. 
No hint of a head rest.

You can add them if you'd like.  Classic industries sells a head rest kit.

[Brock Lee]

My '68 Charger seats look like the 1st picture.  
No hint of a head rest.

It was an option prior to January 1, 1969. Very few people ordered them when they were an option. Though it was far more common on the 1968 manufactured 1969 model years than the previous model year. But 1968's with the option do exist.

[FastbackJon]

Brock, I'm confused by your post. So the aftermarket ones I got look correct or not?

To me, they don't look like your headrests as yours appear to have an actual seam. Are they supposed to be a material like the armrests or dashboard where they're like a vinyl molded over foam?

The aftermarket ones just feel like a big hunk of soft plastic.

Also, I'd guess the '69 vinyl material could have a different grain for the headrests since the seat grain is different in '69 compared to '68.

[Brock Lee]

Mine do not have a real seam. It is molded in.  I am thinking the dirt in the debossing of the seam impression give it the appearance it is real. If clean it would be a tan version of the repro you show.

Yes, like the armrests. A foam and metal core with rubber molded skin. Do you know how the armrests have that area by the metal exposed on the back where excess foam and rubber skin come together in a random, sloppy way? The headrests have an area like that on the bottom. They cover the area up with a die cut vinyl strip .

1968 and 1969 upper door pads have the same grain. The headrests have that grain. The repro you show looks deeper then the originals. But in my opinion no aftermarket repro interior items nail the original grain 100%.

[Dans 68]

My '68 Charger seats look like the 1st picture.  
No hint of a head rest.

It was an option prior to January 1, 1969. Very few people ordered them when they were an option. Though it was far more common on the 1968 manufactured 1969 model years than the previous model year. But 1968's with the option do exist.

My latest project has them. 

Dan

[Brock Lee]

Very cool! I had one with them years ago. Kept the seats longer than the car..lol

[FastbackJon]

Thanks guys, I guess it would be similar to the molded stitching on the horn pad as well.

Reference pic here:

http://st.motortrend.com/uploads/sites/5/2012/08/1968-Dodge-Charger-RT-426-Hemi-steering-wheel.jpg

[Brock Lee]

Yes sir! The lower dash pads and armrests have molded in stitching as well.

[FastbackJon]

Maybe what is bothering me about the reproduction headrests is that they have a flat white finish, whereas the other interior panels like the armrests and other things we've mentioned seem to be more shiny, like a semi-gloss.

[Brock Lee]

Yes, I can see that for sure. The pic of the ones you show look dead flat, absolutely no gloss.