Im just wondering if Im the only one considering going back to a bench seat? I installed buckets actually they arent that bad, but I really miss the way the bench seat feels. Of course when I installed my bucket seats after having them redone. I sold off the bench seat that was less than a year old, (new foam, cloth upholstery) for less than what I paid to have it reupholstered. Now I found another core im picking up tomorrow, and probably dropping off at the upholstery shop soon. The el camino is a daily driver, Im usually behind the wheel a hour a day. I was just curious. jim

In an El Camino I would definately want the bench...
I must confess to you guys I do not have a chevelle, and I do not have a bu, but I do have a 79 Lemans A/G body car which is basically the same thing as a bu...and there is no way in heck that I am going to put buckets in it...I like to be able to have my wife or my two boys setting next to me when we go cruising...:)

On a positive note. I bought the 2 piece bucket seat brackets. so my outside front seat mounting holes are still accessable. So the bench seat swap will be a snap. Jim

After 25 years of marriage, the 4 kids are all grown and gone,, a pair of buckets in the Camino are going to be my retirement '2 seater' LOL

We have bucket seats in our '69 el Camino as well. Makes it handy for getting stuff from behind the seats when driving down the road. I find them very comfortable. Our '69 Chevelle has a re-padded bench seat. It is quite comfortable too. I'll take either.

I replaced the bench seat in my 67 Malibu with buckets. Would probably just as soon have the bench back. Cost a lot more than I expected it to.

Hmm, if you guys weren't so far away, we'd do some trading:thumbsup: My bench is soon to come out.

To me the buckets are more comfortable than the bench, the bench has more front leg room.

To me the buckets are more comfortable than the bench, the bench has more front leg room.

Hey why is that?? Do buckets not go as far back as a bench?

The buckets seem to slide back a good ways, there is barely any space between the bucket seat back and the front of the bottom cushion of the rear seat.

To me it looks like the seat back angle is different, the bench looks more upright than the bucket seat. Also, the bucket seat back looks thicker at it's base than the bench seat does. At least, that's my theory.

All I know is I'd like to go to buckets, the bench is nice but I want to free up space and go to a floor shift

well picked up a bench this afternoon and dropped it off at the upholstery shop. so Im definetly going back to a bench. Plus the bench is from a 72 so I get headrests on these! Jim

sometimes i do miss the bench seat....but only bc its plain jane lookin and the g/f can sit beside me while riding. With the buckets, she looks like she is 14 miles away as wide as the car is

From the band CAKE on their album titled Fashion Nugget. The song is called "Stickshifts and Safetybelts".

But when we're driving in my Malibu
It's easy to get right next to you
I say, "Baby, scoot over please"
And then she's right next to me

I like the bench but it doesn't scoot back quite far enough for me.

I would rather have buckets than a bench seat. I just changed from a bench to buckets and also from a column to original console automatic. To me it makes the whole interior look better,but then on the other hand I had already owned several 67s with the bucket interiors so I already knew what I was getting.

I like the old school feel of a bench seat 4 gear car. That was one of the main reasons I bought my 66 ss

Im just glad I never got around to installing the console. I agree it sure looks good with buckets though. jim

The only regret I had with buckets over bench was in the late 60's with my 66 SS Impala at the drive in on a double date. Is that what you meant?

:mad:

Bench seats definitely have the advantage over buckets when you have a hot date!

Bench seats definitely have the advantage over buckets when you have a hot date!

thats why you get a chevelle instead of an elko, you have have the best of both worlds... bucket seats with a nice bench back seat for the hot date :hurray:

Yeah, but a elcamino you have a bed in back. jim

Yeah, but a elcamino you have a bed in back. jim

haha true, but in about 5 minutes you'd have either a crowd of people, or the cop lights right on you.

haha true, but in about 5 minutes you'd have either a crowd of people, or the cop lights right on you.


Shouldn't bother most exhibitionists:D

well picked up a bench this afternoon and dropped it off at the upholstery shop. so Im definetly going back to a bench. Plus the bench is from a 72 so I get headrests on these! Jim

Curious as to the cost to recover??

black clothe and vynle trim new replace foam. $150. My last one was $225. the buckets were $256. He's my supervisor at our part time job. Jim

Very fair price IMO...

I dont' regret switching to buckets, but my wife wishes it still had a bench. Having my arm around her while cruising was really nice back in the day... Still I like the sporty feeling of that horse shoe shifter and buckets!
Mike
www.myspace.com/merlin0007

I built a 70 SS 454 Sta. Wgn. I have a green 70 SS dash in it. With the 70 buckets it looks like a real 70 SS 454.
P.S. My very detailed 70 SS 454 RED Sta. Wgn. is not a SS clone.
It is a DOCUMENTED FRAUD. and I have papers to prove it!!!!!!!!

Bob ACES-AACA:confused:

I switched to buckets from a bench in the Camino because of going to the 4 speed. I'm so short legged that with the bench seat that far forward it interferred with the shifter.:)

black clothe and vynle trim new replace foam. $150. My last one was $225. the buckets were $256. He's my supervisor at our part time job. Jim

That sounds really inexpensive. When I first got the Chevelle, it had a rip along one seam and I took it to a guy to see if he could fix it and he said not well. I asked for a quote to recover and I thought it was $600 or something. I thought that was outrageous and decided Jr. could live with the rip for a while. Of course now it's a big rip.

When I was doing my Elky back in the early 90s, I bought the covers for the buckets and had a guy install them and I coulda swore that was $300 labor. I guess I'm just a mullet.

I wish I could do that kind of stuff and have it look worth a damn. Until then I guess I'll just have to pay.

Never had enough room in the back seat of a Chevelle, the front seat works but just make sure your knee doesn't hold the lighter in :D

My first three Malibu's all were bench seat cars, the one I have now had buckets swapped in before I got it. My wife and I do miss being able to sit right next to each other but the floor console is cool too. 6 of one half dozen of the other.

having buckets with a council horsehoe shifter is sweet. i cant wait to go to put in a stick!!!