Bench or Buckets that is the question.

[Dart Frog]

So my original bench seat with headrest from a 1970 340 swinger is beginning to get pretty broke down. Mainly the springs under the bottom driver side. I have often flirted with the idea of putting buckets in my car, but when I see some of them I'm not sure I like the big void area that it creates. It's probably just not what I'm used to. I don't like the look of the headrests and the dual hood scoops from the front of the car it looks very well designed and very sporty. But an upgrade in seats is under consideration and now is the time to do it ?or should I just rebuild the bench. I would love to see what others have for seats do you love it, is it okay, do you wish you wouldn't have changed?

 

[doug 371]

I like the bench seat headrests too

 

[ch1ll]

After driving newer cars for the last 20 years or so , all of them with buckets, I'm a big fan of bench seats. Maybe I just miss my pickup truck. All of my "hot rods" have or will have bench seats.

All of the original buckets of past year darts look good, other car buckets and even aftermarket buckets just don't look right IMO. The 70 swinger with the high backs look good in that year, not so much in past years. GT and GTS buckets look good in everything and anything IMO.

 

[dd70340]

If your seats are like the ones I have in my 1970 340 Dart I would keep them. I changed the color from green to black which I think looks better. My driver's side springs were also broken, but the upholsterer I used was able to stretch the springs and make them work.

 

[Dartsun]

I've got buckets in my 65 dart and my B Body has a bench. The bench seat is far more comfortable in my opinion.

 

[Ottmundr]

Can your girl sit right next to you in buckets?

 

[HemiSSDart]

You have to reinforce the floor for the inside tracks if you go to bucket seats. The reinforcement plates are available aftermarket...

 

[toolmanmike]

I can get much more comfortable in a bucket seat. That's what I favor.

 

[harrisonm]

I will take buckets all day long. Unless the car owner is 16 and wants their date to snuggle really close while driving. That is a little harder to do with buckets. So, @Dart Frog, if snuggling with your sweetie while driving is not a priority, go with buckets.

 

[Dartnut]

I have always preferred a bench seat over buckets in an A-Body.

 

[WymanV]

I replaced some of the springs in my buckets when I recovered them. The material is pretty readily available.

 

[Mtrhead]

Buckets all day long to go with that rally cluster

 

[jeff alder]

I have a 67 Barracuda that came with a bench seat that looks a lot like the one in post number 4. I considered putting buckets in it but its a column shift and I always liked the split bench with the arm rest that they originally came with. I finally found one in the right color and I'm glad I stayed with the bench. It's like sitting on the couch in the living room. I see you are in Oregon but if you come through Illinois stop by and get this one. The springs are good it just needs the drivers back recovered. Ill help you load it.

 

[Dart Frog]

I have a 67 Barracuda that came with a bench seat that looks a lot like the one in post number 4. I considered putting buckets in it but its a column shift and I always liked the split bench with the arm rest that they originally came with. I finally found one in the right color and I'm glad I stayed with the bench. It's like sitting on the couch in the living room. I see you are in Oregon but if you come through Illinois stop by and get this one. The springs are good it just needs the drivers back recovered. Ill help you load it.

Thanks for the kind offer but I can't see me over in those parts LOL I took a job in November December once upon a Time and man it's freaking cold there.

 

[Dart Frog]

I like the support of the bucket seats but like I mentioned in the first post I really like the way the pedestals and trim pieces sit up and line up with the hood scoops it just is classic mopar. But I'm looking for other people's input so thanks all.

 

[jeff alder]

Its 88 degrees today...Ill load it while you drink a cold beer and watch...LOL

 

[Dart Frog]

Its 88 degrees today...Ill load it while you drink a cold beer and watch...LOL

The last of the true gentleman

 

[matthon]

Bench in my 67 is the #1 most comfortable seat I've ever had, redone with Legendary upholstery.
And the bench shifter is on the perfect spot.

Drove it 8-10 hours straight recently and my only complaint was I wish it had built in lumbar support.
I rolled up a small towel and it worked.

 

[Killer6]

Bench in my 67 is the #1 most comfortable seat I've ever had, redone with Legendary upholstery.
And the bench shifter is on the perfect spot.

Drove it 8-10 hours straight recently and my only complaint was I wish it had built in lumbar support.
I rolled up a small towel and it worked.

View attachment 1716462953

Before putting new covers on, creative use of fill/foam & tucking can provide bolsters & lumbar, but the trick is to get it right for YOU.

 

[matthon]

When I recovered the original seats in my 64 Fury wagon, not only was the front bench foam molded, but the back had additional cotton stuffing at the base.

This was not cotton falling to the bottom.
It was especially obvious in the rear seatback as there was extra cotton between the springs and burlap.

First 2 pics show the backseat back, shows the cotton in burlap curling over the frame as well as the cotton between the burlap and springs.

Third pic shows the frontseat back.

Last pic shows the original foam that was not only contoured, but had multiple wires running through it for more stability, it had a plastic wrap around it, as well as mess embedded in the top and mess strips embedded in the bottom.

Built so well.

I recreated everything when I recovered the seats.

I paid someone to upholster my Barracuda and I'm thinking I need to take it apart and do it the same way.

 

[Dart Frog]

They definitely put more quality into that seat than in the a bodies. Last year I went through my back seat I basically was able to work with what was there. No broken springs just some missing filling that had been borrowed from some mice and never returned. My first attempt came out a little lumpy across the top so I skinned it again more careful to make sure the filling was smooth. It came out pretty good.

 

[missing linc]

My personal preference is for buckets, bench seats just don't do it for me, unless it's a regular cab pick up.

 

[Woody500]

I like the support of the bucket seats but like I mentioned in the first post I really like the way the pedestals and trim pieces sit up and line up with the hood scoops it just is classic mopar. But I'm looking for other people's input so thanks all.

Later fsctory buckets have good support? NOT!
I had a friend in HS with a new 1970 yellow/black vinyl top 383 'Cuda & those seats are the worst, hardest, most uncomfortable, no side bolster, not made for cornering & ugliest seats ever. As flat as a bench and harder & no side support. If you care about handling at all get aftermarket, Neon or BMW Sport Seats, or junkyard pick something else with side bolsters for support.
If handling not important to you, just keep the bench, as side support(none) is just as good & way more comfortable.
Most comfortable are Chrysler Maserati TC seats(very rare). And so very comfortable they'll make your jaw drop. They are wide & might not fit some cars.
One came into HAMs' shop about 15 yrs ago, not running, & I considered putting them in my 65 Barracuda but could see they were too wide w/o measuring. And I had free BMW Sport Seats that are in car now. Came out of 86 318, and are cloth. Had great looking distressed black leather ones lined up & they were sold out from under me. Oh Well!

 

[Dart Frog]

Later fsctory buckets have good support? NOT!
I had a friend in HS with a new 1970 yellow/black vinyl top 383 'Cuda & those seats are the worst, hardest, most uncomfortable, no side bolster, not made for cornering & ugliest seats ever. As flat as a bench and harder & no side support. If you care about handling at all get aftermarket, Neon or BMW Sport Seats, or junkyard pick something else with side bolsters for support.
If handling not important to you, just keep the bench, as side support(none) is just as good & way more comfortable.
Most comfortable are Chrysler Maserati TC seats(very rare). And so very comfortable they'll make your jaw drop. They are wide & might not fit some cars.
One came into HAMs' shop about 15 yrs ago, not running, & I considered putting them in my 65 Barracuda but could see they were too wide w/o measuring. And I had free BMW Sport Seats that are in car now. Came out of 86 318, and are cloth. Had great looking distressed black leather ones lined up & they were sold out from under me. Oh Well!

Yes I appreciate your input I never had the factory 70 or close buckets my friend had a 73 cuda those seats weren't bad as I remember. I'm not going to aftermarket or late model buckets because my car is very original with its paint and interior so maybe the original bench is about as good as it's going to get for me.

 

[matthon]

Procar seats look good, ones with the headrests.
I found a set on fb for $300, they are comfy, and people seem to like them, many threads, here's one:
Anyone match their rear seat upholstery to ProCar bucket seats?