Datsun Roadster Forum-311s.org

I am in the process of restoring a 68 2000 Roadster. The seats and the headrests have been completely renovated. Although they look great, the pipes hidden in the back of the seats that receive the headrest pipes are not centered (L-R) on the back of the seat so now the headrest (and the covering pattern) do not align when inserted. They are off-center. Has anyone heard of this or did the restorer possibly make an error when renovating the seat??

"Has anyone heard of this or did the restorer possibly make an error when renovating the seat?"
Likely that's what happened. If you or they purchased a kit, the left and right are different at least when Datsun made them, they were. 99% sure of that.

Not an expert but check the latch location, maybe just the seat-backs got swapped? Yes the tubes inside are offset, latch is on/closest to door side. Bolts are slightly different but maybe work ij both locations? Switch just the backs and the tubes (inside) should line up.

No. No kit. The seats were dismantled and restored. The placement (of driver versus passenger) in the vehicle is correct (with latches to the door side). The problem is the tubes for the headrest (that are located in the spine of the seat's back) are not centered on the back of the seat. You can inset the headrest, but that causes two visual problems. One - the headrest is off center on the top of the seat. Two - the pattern on the headrest cover does not align with the pattern on the seat's back. Looks odd. For that matter, even if you switched the seats to the other side of the car the problem would just move to the other side. Are your headrests centered on your seats?

Well, you made me go look...and I hate it.

There must be a left and right headrest? Interesting but unfortunately I can't help given I have a 67.5yr car.

Gregs672000 wrote: Thu Apr 24, 2025 12:11 pm There must be a left and right headrest? Interesting but unfortunately I can't help given I have a 67.5yr car.

The headrests are symmetrical. The seat back mounts are offset towards the inside

GeoffM wrote: Thu Apr 24, 2025 12:31 pm

Gregs672000 wrote: Thu Apr 24, 2025 12:11 pm There must be a left and right headrest? Interesting but unfortunately I can't help given I have a 67.5yr car.

The headrests are symmetrical. The seat back mounts are offset towards the inside

So this is how they came from the factory eh? I've always appreciated my 67.5 seats/headrests that were modified to actually make them useful instead of laying back so you look at the sky. Mine where cut and angled forward, then re-welded. Whoever did it did a great job and I had no idea they were not stock until I saw another 67 2000.

Gregs672000 wrote: Fri Apr 25, 2025 10:43 pm

GeoffM wrote: Thu Apr 24, 2025 12:31 pm

Gregs672000 wrote: Thu Apr 24, 2025 12:11 pm There must be a left and right headrest? Interesting but unfortunately I can't help given I have a 67.5yr car.

The headrests are symmetrical. The seat back mounts are offset towards the inside

So this is how they came from the factory eh? I've always appreciated my 67.5 seats/headrests that were modified to actually make them useful instead of laying back so you look at the sky. Mine where cut and angled forward, then re-welded. Whoever did it did a great job and I had no idea they were not stock until I saw another 67 2000.

That sounds like a great mod! Even the high windshield seats suffer the same issue. I kinda think they're just there for the safety mandate. They're not that functional unless you're in full recline mode.

In case you were curious... and of course they're upside down... damn if I'm not technically challenged sometimes... can't find any editor on this pad, so... it is what it is . Right side up when I select them. They are very useful and give me more room for the rollbar.