I've searched this forum but didn't find the answer;

I'm planning to take the Dart out this summer to drive from The Netherlands, via the UK to the south of Ireland; a 1500mile round trip.

I don't question the car's capability to manage this distance, but I am more worried for my own back in this trip so the seats needs to be fitted with new foam.
I have taken out the front bucket seats and the rear bench to get new foam filling, but I'm wondering how to get the backrest out. It is attached on the top of the backside to the bag where the convertible roof is folded in.

How do I remove this?
Thanks in advance!

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Renault 5 '84, '64 Dart GT Convertible

Hello Mr. Dutch Dart,

Welcome to our Slant 6 community!

Once you have the back seat bottom removed, look at the bottom corners of the backrest toward the outer wall of the car and the floor. There are triangular-shaped loops of steel rod on each corner facing downward, and they are held down strips of steel that are bent over the loops. Bend the strips (screwdriver then pliers is probably best) so that they are roughly perpendicular to the wheel housing. This will allow you to pull the triangular loop on the backrest corner loose (pull toward the front of the car). After this, pull upward on the backrest and it will come loose from the car. There are upward facing steel hooks that hold the backrest frame structure about 15 cm down from the top of the backrest and about 30 cm in from the side of interior panels.

I hope this helps and please ask more questions as they come!

Lou Madsen

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Home of Slant6-powered fun machines

Wow I think this is a really clear description, but I just bended over backwards in the car and didn't find anything that even resembles a triangle shape thing. Tomorrow with daylight I'll clean the car, looks like there's about 58 yrs of sticky goo there. I bet my two kids are responsible for the upper layer.

If there's any picture or mechanical handbook that shows what it looks like, that'll be helpfull

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Renault 5 '84, '64 Dart GT Convertible

There might be factory body seam sealer (black goo) around or over the brackets I described. Take a putty knife or screwdriver and dig around at the very bottom outside corners of the backrest, where the fabric meets the metal of the wheel tub.

Lou

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Home of Slant6-powered fun machines

Is there any possibility that the rear seatback is attached differently on a convertible compared to a 4 door/ 2 door? Hard roof body?

It's been years since I have had a backseat removed on a convertible.

Greg

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http://www.youtube.com/hyperpack

guess what, it was way easier then expected...

when the seat is removed, there where just 2 bolts holding these iron strips in place right where the seatbelts are attatched (seatbelts are from the '70s, but they keep my kids (8 and 4yrs old in place).

after removing the 2 bolts it was simply slide upwards and take the back rest out. the roof-cover simply slides out to the side.

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Renault 5 '84, '64 Dart GT Convertible

Oh yeah, that is very different than the attachments on a sedan or coupe. Sorry I could not be of more specific help.

Happy Slant Sixing!

Lou

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Home of Slant6-powered fun machines

what I don't understand is; it is not attached on the top. So wondering if there's some (heavy) luggage in the trunk, and you brake, wouldn't it just blast right through it?

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Renault 5 '84, '64 Dart GT Convertible

Yes, that is strange. The sedans/coupes have bottom and top mounting.

Lou

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Home of Slant6-powered fun machines

I don't know anyone that puts large amounts of weight or volume of cargo in their '64 Dart...

Not like anyone that I know hauls engine blocks around or anything in the trunk.....

Greg

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http://www.youtube.com/hyperpack

Haha! I think my maximum was about 1600 lbs (+ driver) in the 68 Dart driving from WI to CA in 1996, still with 9" drum brakes... I've had over 1200 lbs in the 64 Dart before.

Lou

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Home of Slant6-powered fun machines

I was kind of figuring that out; the car has 4 drum brakes... an emergency stop is out of the question...
Although I've had it on the highway at 80mph I didn't like to drive at that speed with it. Taking it 1500miles to Ireland this summer, through Wales, the UK, northwest of France, Belgium and The Netherlands will all be done by two lane express way's, scenic routes and even backroads. The max speed won't be over 60mph.

(This week though, I'll be skiing in Austria, flying the Autobahn through Germany at 140mph is better in a 2021 car as a 1964 car )

Still though, regarding the rear seat, it should be fastened on the top. Is there like a mechanic-book of the Dart that shows how it supposed to be?

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Renault 5 '84, '64 Dart GT Convertible