1952 AEC Regal III [2547]

Norman Julian 6th Dec
Yes folks I haven't died.
Today, I was doing a clean-up and noticed that I haven't finished the drivers seat.
I did the cushion ages ago but forgot the rest.
My auto trimmer has come back to Orange and agreed to make a new back rest section.
Won't be using horse hair but foam or even Hessian underlay I have here.
I will replace the timber sections.
There are that many holes from tacks that there maybe not too much grip it it anymore.
It's just thin ply.
2 sections sandwiched together to give them depth.
I will make the right shape and soak them in water to make their curve.

Sam Hawkins
When I’ve refurbished seats I’ve used multiple layers of foam, of different densities, to give comfort and stability.
Norman Julian
Sam Hawkins in this case I will use carpet underlay.
That will last forever.
Thin foam breaks down and turns to powder eventually.
Sam Hawkins
Norman Julian I’m sure your seat will outlast the bus!

Norman Julian 10 Dec
With all the rust gone I primed the drivers seat.
Last time I stripped all the paint off and left it.
Naturally enough it started rusting.
Yesterday I got some 3mm ply so as to make 2 strip's on either side as originally had been done.
I will glue on some carpet insulation to act as padding for the back rest.
(Not foam).
Then I will get the new material made to the same as original.
With this seat though I am adding material to the back as the OPD2 frog.

Norman Julian 13 Dec
Experimentation going on here.
The original timber that was used is 3 ply, 2 x 3mm joined together and screwed onto the steel seat frame.
I decided to replace it with 6mm masonite.
I cut 2 strip's to the desired shape and soaked them all night in water.
This morning I carefully clamped the strip's and formed the shape and appears to be working.