Missing seat back support piece

[lojoma]

'63 Beetle. About to do new seat upholstery and when I removed the cover, I realized one of the seat backs is missing the horizontal bar that holds the bottom of the seat cover (and I guess must be structural support too).

I am trying to find a scrap seat, but wondered if anyone has thoughts on a substitute for this sort of C shaped tube?

(Also was happy to find some OG Silver Beige paint under the seat covers...the PO painted them tan to go with his tan seat covers.)

Thanks!

[AirHead1966]

Unless the groove serves a purpose, why not just use some thin-walled square or even round tubing and bend it?

[Slow-N-Rusty]

If I remember correctly from disassembling an OG seat the upholstery had a plastic strip attached to the edge that inserts into that channel to hold it in place.

If you can't source an original piece, you should be able to recreate it with a similar sized piece of tubing. I know Ive seen smaller steel tube close to that at home depot. Heat it a bit to bend it to the right shape and then cut a slot in it with a cut off wheel. I wouldn't cut the slot first as it would probably collapse if you bend it to shape after cutting it.

[lojoma]

Thanks, yes the slot holds the bottom edge of the seat cover so it is necessary. I'll check Lowe's or Depot to see what they have.

[lojoma]

Here's my repair. First shows the two seat frames with the right one having the bar just welded in, second is after painting. I had to buy the tube online; couldn't find anything local in hardware stores. I think it turned out ok...will find out soon, I guess, when I put the cover on.