wanted: Front Bench Seat

[68Tom]

Hi-

I am in need of a bench seat for a '68 442. Basically, all I need is the seat structure and frame, but it would be nice to find one with black original material in nice shape.

Thanks.

[kaz442]

I have a front bench that came out of my '70 F85. The frame, springs, padding/foam and burlap are in excellent cond. The cover is blue and has a few split seams and a rip on the end. I looking for $50. Where in NY are you located? I may be able to get you reasonable shipping because I have trucks all over the north east. Let me know JKaz

[68Tom]

Thanks for the offer. However, according to Legendary Auto Interiors, the '70 seat will not fit the '68 seat covers. I specifically need a '68 bench.

[2blu442]

Hi Tom
You might get a second opinion on that. A couple years ago I sold a 1968 bench seat to a guy who worked in an upholstery shop. He recovered it and installed it in a 1970 Monte Carlo. I believe he told me the 1968-72 A-body bench seats would interchange. My 2 cents. John

[68Tom]

Hmm. Interesting. I'm definitely not questioning what the guy told you John, but it seems like Legendary would know, no? I wish you still had that '68 seat, then there'd be no problems. haha.

Is there any interior guru out there who can clear this up that you know of?

[The_Jeremiah]

I dont know if this will work for sure, but my 69 cutlass 4-door has a bench seat in the front, ill trade the entire bench seat and bracketry for a couple buckets and brackets. Its blue, the back is in great shape, the front is torn, and its missing some foam from under the drivers butt if you will. Let me know if the bench will cross and if your interested

[68Tom]

Well, I don't have any buckets. My car currently has a bench in it, but it's the wrong bench. In fact, I don't know what it's to. I was told a '69 or 70 GTO. Thanks, though.

Still holding out for the '68....

[joe_padavano]

Originally Posted by The_Jeremiah

I dont know if this will work for sure, but my 69 cutlass 4-door has a bench seat in the front, ill trade the entire bench seat and bracketry for a couple buckets and brackets. Its blue, the back is in great shape, the front is torn, and its missing some foam from under the drivers butt if you will. Let me know if the bench will cross and if your interested

The 4dr bench doesn't tilt forward, making it somewhat difficult to get into the back seat on a 2dr. Also, A-body buckets typically sell for ten times what a bench goes for. Would you trade a $100 bill for a $10 bill?

[The_Jeremiah]

I didnt mean original, i meant aftermarket, sorry, probably should have specified. Thats true, i forgot, it doesnt tilt forward.

[The_Jeremiah]

Originally Posted by joe_padavano

Would you trade a $100 bill for a $10 bill?

No, but i would trade a steel 1943 penny for a copper one, because its worth like a billion times more, also i would trade MY 1908 indian head penny for a 1908 S indian head penny. Because it also is worth a ton more. LOL

[68Tom]

Uh...I still need a '68 bench front seat for a 442. Thanks.

[Dapapadon]

I've got one... But I'm clear across the country in Oregon. So not much help. A Buick Skylark, Pontiac LeMans or Chevelle front bench should be the same if you're going to recover it. Have you checked your local craigslist?

Don

[68Tom]

Don, is it an actual '68 442 seat? Also, any idea what it would cost to ship it? If it's actually an original from a 442, I might be willing to spend the dough. I guess PM me with your address, the dimensions and what you think it might weigh (minus the upholstery on it) and I can figure it out.

I've only found a couple '69 GTO bench seats. It really looks close to the '68 bench. I still wish someone could confirm weather or not this would fit. I could possibly see the '70 not fitting, but the '68 was almost the exact same model.

[Dapapadon]

It's from a 68 2 dr. post car, f85 or Cutlass. But it wasn't a 442. I don't think there was a specific seat for a 442. I took it out of a parts car and planned to use it in my 67 while I had that one recovered.

To be honest, I'm not sure of the condition. Wasn't too worried about that for the short time I'd be using it. I'd think the shipping would be $200 or more and I wouldn't spend that on it. Also, it's in storage and I can't get by there for a week or so.

Have you tried asking what other year seats will work over at ROP? www.realoldspower.com Not knocking anyone here and a lot of people visit both sites. But there are a few fellows heavy into restoring 68 & 69's over there that I don't recall seeing here.

If you can nail down what year seats will work it should be easier to find. Plus as noted above Olds benches are the same as Pontiac, Buick & Chevy "A" bodies.

Just checked my Legendary catalog. Was curious why the 70 f85 seat wouldn't work. It has headrests, and the 68 & 69's don't???? I thought 69's did. The 67 seats are different, earlier style. So maybe the 68 is a one year only seat.

Sorry this got so long. Don

[jhoppeolds]

I've also got a front bench seat from a '68 F85 2-door post, but it's still in the car and the car is stored at my friend's farm about an hour away from me. I would have to go there and check it out closely. I'm in Wisconsin and the car is a Wisconsin (rusty) parts car. Might be an option if the other leads don't pan out. Tracks might be rusty as the rest of the car is pretty bad. Seat was pretty firmly planted to the floor though, so they might be o.k....

[68Tom]

Thanks guys.

Don, from what Dick at Legendary told me, the covers from a '68 won't fit on the '70. I don't think he was referring to the headrests, so as you say, maybe the '68 was a one year seat. I didn't get a confirm from him that the '69 wouldn't fit either, but he told me I needed to find a '68, so that's what I inferred from that. I'll definitely check out realoldspower.com. I didn't know about it.

Thanks for the replies thus far. Seeing as both of you are fairly far away, don't go out of your way just yet. I don't need the seat immediately, so I'll keep looking for a bit for one closer. However, they don't seem to be that easy to come by so I'll keep you posted if I don't find one. I'll do a bit more research on this and see what works in the car.

[AutoBodyGod]

I have a bench from a 67 Cutlass Wagon

[68Tom]

don't think that one will work. thanks, though.

[2blu442]

Hi Tom
I am really surprised that nothing else will interchange. Have you talked with any other parts supplier like year one or opgi? I have seen two different seat rails, one for the power seat and one for manual, the power had additional studs to secure it to the floorboard. But he's saying that there's something different with the springs or seat frame that the covers won't fit unless it's from a 1968 442? I'm not an expert but that seems odd that Olds would create a bench seat frame for a 1968 442 different from everything else. I'm not an expert with interiors on these cars, but I would check with a couple other well known parts suppliers to be sure. John

[68Tom]

Hey guys. It's been awhile. I was going to sell the 442 but decided to keep it, so I'm still in need of a bench seat.

From my research I've found out that I can use ANY GM A-body 1968 front bench seat from a 2-door car. While a 69-72 seat will fit in the car and is useable, it will not accept the '68 seat covers.

If possible, I'd like a seat that I can reuse the foam and springs. So, if the foam is torn or smells of mold or mildew, it's slightly less desirable. However, if it's close to me or the car (which is now in AZ), I'll definitely consider it. Heck, just let me know if you have something and the price and I'll consider it. haha.

Thanks again.

[az_uncledonny]

My buddy Vern has one he is selling for a $100 from his '68 Cutlass S. He up-graded to my bench from my '68 Cutlass Supreme. He is located in Mesa, AZ. Send me a PM and I will give you his phone number.