I have recovered the armrest and repaired the plastic box where it broke under the hinge; both RgsSpider and Bottombrakets problems. Because the plastic was broken I was able to handle the lid easier; it was completely unattached.
To recover the box, I cut the vinyl from the back panel of a ruined blue check seat cover. That matched the original armrest cover exactly. I drilled out the rivets holding the upholstered panel from the metal plate. My armrest just had a coupe small cuts, so I didn't strip anything off. I just put a new layer over it using the seat vinyl. Tucked the edges under tight and stapled them in place with short upholstery staples, then riveted the whole thing back onto the metal backing plate. It used to be really hard, so the extra layer makes it feel like it has a little padding.
To fix the hinge break, I took the box out, then took a piece of similar plastic and cut it shape to cover the entire back face of the box. I glued the broken pieces together and glued the new plastic piece over the whole thing. I put another plastic brace behind the broken part too, that sandwiched the break. The back piece is on the outside of the box, and presses up against the back trim panel of the car interior, so you don't see it.
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1980 Pageant Blue DHC with removable hardtop.
http://rgstr7spider.tumblr.com/
