Bench Seat Column Shift Vs Bucket Console Shift

-
Drache

Drache

1971 Dodge Dart Swinger
Joined
May 10, 2011
Messages
1,895
Reaction score
127
Location
Williams Lake, BC, Canada
Anyone else that stuck up on one or the other. For me one of the greatest killing points of a car is a bench seat with a column shift. It just seems to take away that "muscle car" feel that I look for in a car. Personally I want that bucket seat console shift.
 
Bench/ column shift no, bench with a 4spd yes! Buckets are definitely cool, but to me seeing a bench seat car with a 4spd just adds to the unique and cool factor!
 
I'll give an example. Friend told me about a nice '72 Swinger. Pristine condition, 340 automatic. 8-1/4 suregrip. $17,500! I loved the car right up until I looked inside and seen a bench seat column shift. Totally ruined it for me.

Yes I know I could have then spent another couple thousand getting the bench switched to buckets and the column to a console. But I really don't want that hassle.
 
Drache said:
Yes I know I could have then spent another couple thousand getting the bench switched to buckets and the column to a console. But I really don't want that hassle.
Click to expand...

The simple solution would be to hold out for what you want, IMO.
 
I used to think bucket seats were the cat's meow when I was younger but now I like the bench seat set up better. If you use a manual valve body, it works great on the column because you pull it down away from neutral.

with a bench you can put your lady next to you and rekindle days gone by. I am engaged so I am in the "honeymoon" frame of mind so a bench fits that idea better. LOL

IMO, A bench seat with a new or really clean cover and column shift makes the interior look spacious and clean.

I recently saved an internet pic to compare because I was half tempted to put a bench in my duster because I didn't have any seats for it when I got it but I am going bucket seats only because it was a factory bucket seat car but really if it had a bench I wouldn't mind it.

All I am saying is that a bench is not all that bad and your tastes can change over the years but ultimately you have to go with what you really want at this time in your life.
 

Attachments

  • mopp_1105_02_o+1971_dodge_demon_340+interior.jpg
    96.9 KB · Views: 452
  • 1971_Plymouth_Duster_Orange_va-d (2).jpg
    82.2 KB · Views: 432
  • i32852.jpg
    72.4 KB · Views: 449
gregpurcell said:
The 68 road runner only came with a bench seat because a bench is MUCH lighter than two buckets and a console.
Click to expand...

Some consoles actually look cluttered, the A-body console isn't bad but even the A body console takes up a bunch of space.
 
Depends on the car yes column shift automatic doesn't work in a Dart - Duster - Demon and a 4 speed is neater with a bench BUT consider the plain Jane factor such as the square box plain as could be 67-69 Valiant I'm doing one with a big block 727 and yes I would prefer the 4 speed but not in the budget and I'm going out of my way to keep the column shift IMO that's what belongs in this style car
 
I would have to agree with yellowdart72, as long as its not all torn up and looks clean, I don't mind a bench. Mine is a bucket and console(not original) but if it were a bench it wouldn't be a turn off. I even like bucket and no console, just a race shifter in the middle. I almost didn't put my console in cuz the Hurst ratchet shifter was positioned back too far. But since the guy sold it to me with the console I figured I'd make it work, moved the sifter and lined it all up. My brothers first car was a 67 barracuda with bench and colomn shift. Interior was mint. I loved that car, always made me jealous. I guess that was what made me really like molars in the first place. Anyway, now I'm just rambling on. Like I said, if its clean, I still like it, kinda adds to the nostalgic look.
 
Buckets, 4 Gear-no console. I into vintage Street Muscle cars and that's where the Fire Extinguisher always is-Between the seats. No better place IMO. Jeff
 
Ok I should be clear on "console" shift. I mean having the shifter on the hump whether there is an actual console or not. Anything but a column shift. A bench seat with a shifter down below would be fairly ok. I just cannot stand column shift cars. I'm too used to manually downshifting an automatic.

Here's the car with the bench seat column shift for $17,500:

00Z0Z_iyNdtVg1YIc_600x450.jpg

00s0s_fiXIv39u9OF_600x450.jpg

01616_leZMRA2uVCO_600x450.jpg

00p0p_9QvLbhftUZa_600x450.jpg


72 swinger 340 auto . 3.55 posi . new legendary interior , collector plates . everything new or rebuilt . trophy winner at mopar madness
Click to expand...
 
For a second, I thought that last pic above was a pic I posted of my 72! Then I noticed it has the factory stereo still, otherwise, just like mine.

For me, just like anything else, it depends on the specific car. I love bench seats, and I think they generally look better in Swingers, but Dusters and Dart Sports tend to look better with buckets. If it's a race car, definitely floor shift, without console. If it's a very sporty car like a GTS, floor with console. Cruiser or casual street/strip, column is fine. /6 car... column.

To me, a bench gives a car some of that old car appeal, memories of my childhood and all that.
 
I tend to agree with YellowDart72 in that preference varies with life stage. All through HS, I would have loved a floor shift and a console 95% of the time. When I went to the mountain to watch submarine races, I was very glad to have a column shift and a bench seat. I'm at a point in life now where I have a few more options where I can take a date for a romantic interlude.

In my opinion, column shift works best with a bench, floor shift works best with buckets. Short person, four speed, bench seat; not real good when bench and shift lever interfere with each other.
 
I have four bench seat cars, three auto on the column & one three speed stick.

I love them all.
 
Now that every new vehicle comes with bucket seats, I wish my Dart had a bench seat. I would kill to have a Duster like the one I had back in the late 80's (ok minus the rust and dents). It was a 75 Custom dark green with a white vinyl top(may have been a half top, don't remember)green bench seat with a 3 sped on the floor.
 
Thats a good looking dart. I wouldn't let the bench and column shift steer me away from it if I was looking for one.
 
Tackweld said:
Buckets, 4 Gear-no console. I into vintage Street Muscle cars and that's where the Fire Extinguisher always is-Between the seats. No better place IMO. Jeff
Click to expand...

Just like my Duster. Pistol grip 4-speed, no console, extinguisher between the buckets. Also got the SunPro tach on the driveshaft hump.

Steve
 
If you have a fold down center armrest In your A-body you will use it and miss it when its gone. Plus the factory consoles are absolutely worthless.
Yes new cars have front buckets and consoles but that console will have cup holders, arm rest and many other handy creature features.
 
Bench works better if you are wanting that cool sleeper look with dog dish hub caps.My age showing,Kevin.
 
I've always been a bench seat 4 speed or column auto guy on a-bodies.
I never liked the looks of an automatic console in an a-body. Or for that matter, the Barracuda/340 dash either.
I went with the buckets in my Dart Sport because it's what i had that was in decent shape.
I also find that you tend to sit lower with bucket seats, maybe one of the reasons i like the bench seat more is because i'm a short ****! lol.
 
I just turned down a fully restored '70 Roadrunner 440+6. I cannot get over my hatred of bench search column shift cars. There is no way I'll ever be comfortable spending my money on one. Which sucks because 90% of Mopars sold in this province seem to have bench seat column shifts...

I turned down a '70 Charger for the same reason.
 
My first Mopar was a '69 Super Bee. 383 auto, bench seat, column shifter. The only options were a vinyl top and a driver side remote mirror. I had the 383 bored, balanced, and blueprinted back in '75 or '76. I was never beat on the street until the trans started slipping really bad.

So I have a certain fondness for bench seat, column auto cars, but it really doesn't matter one way or the other when I decide to buy a car. One thing I do prefer if it's a bench seat a-body, is the '73-up deluxe bench with the fold-down arm rest. Those are nice and comfy if they aren't broken down.
Dallas
 
......Ya, I partial to buckets/consol, I turned down a beautiful 70 RR years ago, but now I could do a bench car.........kim......
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
-

Back
Top