1966 Beetle Driver Seat Backrest Adjustment & Release

[Bug-Eyed]

On a 1966 Sedan, the outer part of the adjustment on the driver’s seat has a thumb lever used to adjust the backrest position. It looks like the thumb lever part is attached to a tube or rod that runs the full width of the backset to the other side of the seat. The thumb lever appears to be bent but I'm guessing that the part that is actually bent or damaged is the tube or rod that it's attached to with a pin. Before I take this apart, are any of you guys familiar with this issue and know what the fix most likely is going to be? Which replacement parts will I need to fix it?

Does anyone have an exploded view of this part of the seat?

SIDE NOTE: Were these parts originally color matched?

[Itskyle]

On a 1966 Sedan, the outer part of the adjustment on the driver’s seat has a thumb lever used to adjust the backrest position. It looks like the thumb lever part is attached to a tube or rod that runs the full width of the backset to the other side of the seat. The thumb lever appears to be bent but I'm guessing that the part that is actually bent or damaged is the tube or rod that it's attached to with a pin. Before I take this apart, are any of you guys familiar with this issue and know what the fix most likely is going to be? Which replacement parts will I need to fix it?

Does anyone have an exploded view of this part of the seat?

SIDE NOTE: Were these parts originally color matched?

I have issues with my passenger side's reclining mechanism, like something is broke. I've not attempted the repair but have been scouring the Internet for replacement seats.

However, I can vouch that the mechanisms were painted at the factory to match the interior color. Hence, mine are some sort of tan color.

I think they called the red interior bugs Pigalle. It's a French word, but I am not sure of its meaning.

Hope this helps,

Kyle

[Bug-Eyed]

I have issues with my passenger side's reclining mechanism, like something is broke. I've not attempted the repair but have been scouring the Internet for replacement seats.

However, I can vouch that the mechanisms were painted at the factory to match the interior color. Hence, mine are some sort of tan color.

I think they called the red interior bugs Pigalle. It's a French word, but I am not sure of its meaning.

Hope this helps,

Kyle

Thanks Kyle for the feedback. Someone on another forum told me that the seat frames and mechanism for the 1966 Beetle was L43 grey-black. There does show any evidence under the Red paint on mine that it was ever Black. After some research and according to this http://www.thesamba.com/vw/archives/inf ... odest3.php the steering column and seat frames on a '66 Beetle are supposed to be L43 grey-black.

What do you think?
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[Itskyle]

I have issues with my passenger side's reclining mechanism, like something is broke. I've not attempted the repair but have been scouring the Internet for replacement seats.

However, I can vouch that the mechanisms were painted at the factory to match the interior color. Hence, mine are some sort of tan color.

I think they called the red interior bugs Pigalle. It's a French word, but I am not sure of its meaning.

Hope this helps,

Kyle

Thanks Kyle for the feedback. Someone on another forum told me that the seat frames and mechanism for the 1966 Beetle was L43 grey-black. There does show any evidence under the Red paint on mine that it was ever Black. After some research and according to this http://www.thesamba.com/vw/archives/inf ... odest3.php the steering column and seat frames on a '66 Beetle are supposed to be L43 grey-black.

What do you think?
.
.
.

Mine are scuffed, too from use. Like yours, I find no evidence of any other paint underneath the tan.

[Digger89L]

Here's a picture of the passenger side seat in what is said to be an "original" 1966 bug with original red interior. You'll notice that both the seat frame and the metal side cover are black ...in this particular car, the curved handle appears to be broken, but if it was intact, it would be black with an off-white knob. (just like it is in my 1966 Bahama Blue bug, with black interior)

Here's a major clue: if your red interior was original to the car, the knob on the seat release handle would be off-white, not obviously painted red, as yours is.

[Blue Baron]

On my black '66, which is a dead stock car that has never been tampered with, the seat frames are red.

[Digger89L]

On my black '66, which is a dead stock car that has never been tampered with, the seat frames are red.

Yeah ....but I'll bet the knob on the adjuster isn't. Or are the dash knobs and the window crank knobs red, too?