Notchback braces behind rear seat back : can I remove them

[SuperDuty455]

Hi, i'm installing Sn95 seats un my 79 notch, i want to keep the fold down functionality of the rear seat backs of the Sn95 seats.
the problem is the Y shaped brace behind the notch rear seats back, they don't look strong enough to be structural, I would say it's only there to give rigidity to the seat back (the backing is cardboard).

I know it's not a direct swap and I'll have to fabricate cushions on each sides.

So can I safely remove this brace ? Has anybody done this?

Thanks!

[wraithracing]

I have not removed the brace myself. I have had to re-weld the spot welds on several SSP cars over the years due to the welds tearing or coming loose. I would agree that the brace is mainly there for the rear seat support, but it does seem to provide some additional structure/rigidity to the back of the car. Obviously this brace is not there on a hatchback car and generally the coupe structure is considered less flexible than the hatchback. So with that said, I don't think you will have any major issues removing the brace, but I can't guarantee that.

[qikgts]

IIRC my SN95 had some bracing or reinforcement in the form of a pretty flat piece of steel that was installed across the front of the rear deck. I don't remember if it had something to do with the seats locking into place. Perhaps it will be something that you'll need to install to make it all work. If not, I'd consider trying to do something similar or maybe investigating if the stock piece would bolt in to your car. It couldn't hurt to try.

[wraithracing]

So . . . . How did it go?