Although I don't see it listed in any option list, I've read in various muscle car magazines that the reclining passenger bucket seat option was available upon request for '69 model 442s. Is this true? The people in the magazine articles (I've seen 3 of them over the past 15 years or so) say that, if you got the reclining bucket seat option on the '69 model, it came with the '68 seats (release button on the side instead of the back, and with headrests). Any input or thoughts will be greatly appreciated. Thank you! Sincerely, Randy Corrigan,Olympia, WA

 

Passenger recliner option is listed in the 1966, 1967 and 1968 Optional Equipment lists in my 1974 parts book, for Strato bench (A69) and bucket (A70) seats. The Strato-bench was available only in B/E car, the Strato-bucket in A/B/E. Both options disappeared for 1969 and do not list again until 1973 as AR9, which would have to have been part of the Cutlass Salon package. None of my 1969 literature mentions its availability.

Not saying that you couldn't have had it if you knew the right box to check, but I'll listen to a factory parts book over a musclecar magazine any day.

 

Randy

from what I have learned of the recliners had to find info on them as I had to recondition my recliner ....and there is nothing on the net about them....... is that they were offered from 66-70 in a strato recliner with the internals of the recliner being the same since this unit does not interfer with the folding latch I can`t see them not being able to be installed on the 69-70 with the rear release how rare or if made I could not tell you

 

My parts book ('64-'74) does not show parts for a recliner '69-'72. Shows repair stuff for '66-'68 and '73-'74...and one item for a grommet for '70 which might be for a bench seat..this is the metal grommet that the control cable passes through the lower seat cushion on it's way to the positioning unit...and nothing else..

 

I'm a cynic, so I'm going to say that the reason these 1969 cars used 1968 seats is because they ARE 1968 seats that got installed in the 69s by a previous owner or the dealer. The upholstery pattern is the same, and the seats bolt right in, so this is a very, very simple swap if you can find the 68 recliner. All 1969 cars got headrests, by the way.

 

Joe do you happen to know if it was the whole GM line or just Olds that stopped in 68 ?