Bench vs. Buckets

[Speedy Canuck]

I've been debating the pros and cons of bench and bucket seats. The car I'll end up building will be a summer driver, with the goal of a cross-country roadtrip; so I don't have to factor in/worry about security at the track. I'll be taking into account the comfort/cool factor. My '69 firebird has buckets and I like them just fine, but I was debating putting a bench into my Mopar project.
I've heard that the bench doesn't hold you you very well while cornering, but other than that, what complaints or compliments do you all have?

 

[The 500 Foundation]

Bench seat has no date/girlfriend/wife barrier
know what I mean :cool:

 

[Speedy Canuck]

I know exactly what you mean. I had thought the same thing myself...

 

[wannadrag]

On my 70 RR i took out the drag buckets and cage and am putting a bench back in.I've kinda come a full circle,20 years ago i would have been taking the bench out and installing a cage.

 

[696pack]

The factory bucket seats don't hold you any better then the bench on cornering, they just look cooler.If you are not going to run a console you may want a buddy seat with the fold down arm rest which will allow your girl to sit close and also provide lateral support with the arm rest down for cornering.

 

[69HEMICORONETR/TCONV]

I like the cool factor of buckets and a console, but a bench has it's advantages too. as far as restoration cost the bench wins hands down.

 

[Deleted member 214]

I got my Road Runner while living in Texas. The black vinyl bench was like a heat sink and blocked airflow. Next summer I had buckets with cloth inserts crusing was a lot more comfortable. I have a set of original seats that need a rebuild but in the mean time Summit Racing can sell you some nice aftermarket buckets for under $400 a pair. They also have the hip and shoulder bolsters to help keep you behind the wheel in corners.

 

[scotts74birds]

I'm looking for some BLACK leather buckets from a newer car, but everyone is making grays these days. I've had leather seats for years, and I know some folks dont like them, but I think they are the best. You are right about the factory buckets giving no lateral support.

 

[MprDoc]

I have buckets in my Satellite and they really dont support at, there not "new car" buckets. I would LOVE a bench seat, to bad I'm in Hawaii and there not easy to find out here or I would swap the buckets for the bench, I think it looks better especially if your like me and removed the center console for a nicer shifter AND the girlfriend thing would be BAD *** for multiple reasons, ill let the imagination go with that one ;)

 

[69HEMICORONETR/TCONV]

nobody cared about lateral support in the 60s.

 

[scotts74birds]

A little bit of Armor-All, and a hard right turn always broke the ice! In Detroit we called it a "Slide-over-Baby!"

 

[69HEMICORONETR/TCONV]

A little bit of Armor-All, and a hard right turn always broke the ice! In Detroit we called it a "Slide-over-Baby!"

:rolling: I will give you an A on innovation.

 

[Speedy Canuck]

A little bit of Armor-All, and a hard right turn always broke the ice! In Detroit we called it a "Slide-over-Baby!"

I like that! :yes: I'll have to remember it... a "slide-over-baby!"

 

[696pack]

I like that! :yes: I'll have to remember it... a "slide-over-baby!"

Back in the day that was called a C.O.D. corner---Come Over Dear.

 

[Meep-Meep]

nobody cared about lateral support in the 60s.

Yeah, with 14x6 road wheels?? :rolling::rolling:

 

[Speedy Canuck]

Looks like I'm going to have to come over and flip the old calendar for a few of you :tongueflap: It's not the 60's - lateral support is 'cool' now, and the 14x6's are getting swapped out as fast as you can.

Don't feel too bad though, I constantly recognize that I was born in the wrong decade. What I wouldn't give to grow up during the muscle car heyday.

 

[69 Runner]

Bench is supposedly LIGHTER than buckets

 

[69HEMICORONETR/TCONV]

Bench is supposedly LIGHTER than buckets

True, the Bench is slightly lighter.

 

[69 Runner]

Most people don't know that, but the reason a (say) 69 runner had a bench seat 4 speed as standard (pun intended) was because it was lighter than buckets and an auto. At least that's the claim.

 

[69HEMICORONETR/TCONV]

Most people don't know that, but the reason a (say) 69 runner had a bench seat 4 speed as standard (pun intended) was because it was lighter than buckets and an auto. At least that's the claim.

True, and you could save another couple pounds with a coupe instead of a hardtop, .....I remember back in the day some people removing the interior insulation, jute padding from under the carpet and divider panels behind the rear seat to save weight.