Change it or leave it?

[71_Duster]

I keep having the urge to ditch my bench seat and put buckets in with an aftermarket shifter on the floor. No console just a shifter for an old school pro stock kinda look. Right now the interior is very original and looks clean.

Lots of pics on my garage. So opinions?

 

[Dennis H]

Unless it is a drivability, adjustment or comfort necessity, leave it. Looks great as is.

 

[71_Duster]

I do plan a swap to power steering so need to rebuild the column with a new shaft. A friend put the bug in my ear to just put an aftermarket column in and do a floor shifter.

However the seat has been recovered and is comfortable and the current column and linkage is in good shape.

 

[Kern Dog]

Straight line car or a cornering car?
Bench seats are great for many things. A bench with the buddy seat used as an arm rest is a comfy way to cruise. The bucket seat and factory console looks great but there is nothing to lean against. Once you get used to new car comforts, integrating them into old classics is tempting.
Regardless, if the work is done clean and neat, it will look great. YOUR car, YOUR decision. Anyone that doesn't like it can eat your ***.
(If that is how you like it)

 

[mmissile]

Your car. Do what you'd like best.

 

[Brandy]

Agree ^^

 

[NJRR]

My 70 RR was buckets with a console. When I converted from auto to 4 speed, i eliminated the console and put in a buddy seat. I like the look of the pistol grip shifter coming straight out of the hump and the console sucked as an arm rest, top was prone to cracking. Now, have the best of both worlds. Looks great, functional arm rest and if need be (doubtful) can always stick someone in that buddy seat ( any cute blonde chicks do not need an invitation !!!!). Pic is before buddy seat installed. Can see the brackets.

 

[Yatzee]

I keep having the urge to ditch my bench seat and put buckets in with an aftermarket shifter on the floor. No console just a shifter for an old school pro stock kinda look. Right now the interior is very original and looks clean.

Lots of pics on my garage. So opinions?

There's just something about bucket seats that make them highly desirable for comfort, looks and keeping one's *** where it's put. The clean look of a pair of buckets with a clean floor look from carpet that's only interrupted by a nice shifter install is tops on my list. Whatever you do, don't toss the original seat, plan for the install considering floor contour and new bolt holes as well as seat rail differences. And be sure, if you install buckets, that the tops of the seats are perfectly level when looking through the front windshield from outside. I say go for it and piss on the so called "concourse" look - it's boring as hell.

 

[71_Duster]

It's just a cruiser. I don't have any big racing plans straight or cornering. Might make some fun runs down the strip but thats all.

It has subframe connectors and sway bars front and rear so should handle well but who knows with the tired old manual box.

It's a non numbers anything so its easy if I want to change it. I like the clean basic stock look of the interior which is what I wanted but like most car stuff I always have the what if in my mind and saw a guy with a set of buckets from a 68 GTX for sale locally that I thought might fit. I'd love to find a bench with the fold down arm rest and headrests from the whole safety stand point.