HELP!! VINYL SEATS BREAKING

[Born_Fast]

Hey guys,

here in Switzerland the winters are harsh and summers can get boiling hot. That's a torture for any classic car, even if you keep it garaged most of the time.

I was reminded of this when after a few hot days recently, the vinyl on my backseats started to crack and then break. Specifically on the upper area, where it is most exposed to direct sunlight. Below you see a picture of that damage, taken through the rear window.

Now i'd like to somehow fix this, instead of replacing the whole rearseat cover. Apart from that one area, the seats are perfectly fine and it would be a waste to throw them away.

So this one goes out to the restoration experts: What's the best way to glue, stitch, or cover this?

By best bet would be to get some industrial superglue and glue the vinyl flat onto the foam upholstery. Then color any still visible cracks black. Any better ideas?

Thank you in advance,
Ralph

[Bullitt-]

I would seek a local upholstery shop & see if they can replace that section.  If you repair the one spot another will not be far behind. 
  Stateside a new rear seat upholstery is around $200.00
                Front buckets $300+.
https://www.legendaryautointeriors.com/webmodules/catcatalog/dtl_allcatalog.aspx?id=AA&make=C&year=73&desc=challenger%20black

['Cuda Hunter]

Even though I am not sure if this is the answer, the best
superglue type to use is
 Paleobond   or    Hotstuff.

I recommend paleobond as it lasts longer than any other cyanoacrylate glue. 

They both come in different thickness's so I would assume you would want the thick stuff. 

  I am sure an upholstery guy would know better but there is my two cents. 

[purple1]

Are they original covers? By the time you remove the covers from the seats. Take them and get that pannel replaced at a local shop or something. You then have to reinstall those 40 year old covers and hog ring them back. All that stretching of the old fabric may rip it again some other place. If that happens, you are back to square one.

Any kind of glue is only going to be a temp fix, you know that. So I think you may as well do it right the first time, bite the bullit and go new upholstery and not look back. 

[Born_Fast]

Thanks guys,

right now i am just looking for a quickfix solution that gets me through the summer season.

Then during wintertime i will anyway not drive my Chall and probably redo all seats as i got plenty of time.

So i guess for the moment i'll give superglue a try and hope for the best.

[Born_Fast]

By the way,

does anyone know a good place to order new seat covers, including front bechseats and center armrest? I would also need the foam filling and probably some new springs for the drivers seat.

Oh yeah and that shop has to ship to Europe.

[Blue Meanie]

Quick and dirty would probably be to get a sheet of heavy black vinyl and glue it over the top.  Roll it over the back and make a folded welt to terminate it between the front panels.  It won't look corret, or perfect, but at least it can be neat, and look 'finished'.  Trying to glue splits and cracks, just ends up with more splits and cracks.

[Kevin71]

I have a set of new rear seat covers I could sell you for $100.  They are black and for a 71 Challenger I am guessing they would fit other years but better check if yours is a different year.