Am considering selling 71 442. Interior restored to original specs several years ago and is still looks newly restored. Bench seat with column shift. Trim tag proves bench seat.

Am wondering if it makes sense financially to convert to buckets and a console shift and all else needed for proper conversion (speedo, steering column)...I would not do the work.

Or is it best in terms of resale 'profit' to leave the car with the less desired equipment as it left the factory...

 

have you priced out what it is going to cost to get your hands on all the parts? I doubt you would get that much more for the car in order to offset the investment you would need

 

I think I could get everything for $1500...but then would need to pay someone to change to the console shift.

i could handle the seat conversion.

 

Is everything else original? Since it says on the trim tag what it came with from the factory I'd lean toward keeping the bench. But that's my bias. If you'd really like to have the buckets and console then swap it over. Except for a few holes in the floorpan for the buckets and adding console bracket, it could always be switched back. John

 

I don't think you'll get your money out of the conversion. Labor to do that work will be a lot higher than you might think. Plus, a 442 with a bench seat is somewhat unique - most of them had buckets. As the trim tag says it's a bench, I'd leave it a bench.

Randy C.

'68 4-4-2 convertible with a bench seat

 

I too, am interested in peoples comments. I'm not at a position to make a decision yet as I'm just into a frame off resto, but my 71 442 is also a bench seat car. I have the parts to convert, but I'm kinda leaning towards keeping it as it was built. This keeps the car true to it's data plate and I agree it's almost a novelty to have a bench seat 442. I believe not that it matters that much, but the car is lighter with just a bench, so you can brag it's faster than a bucket /console car. For me, my SX is a bucket/dual gate car so this tends to push me to keep the 442 with a bench.

 

I wish my 4 speed car had bench seats. I think bench seats are raw and I would keep it that way.

 

I've had the car 20 years and I think the bench is fine...I prefer original equipment/options (except for the OAI I added).

But I'm talking about for selling the car....would I increase the expected price by at least as much as it costs to switch. Seems like some are saying no.

 

I think you already did the one thing that you can get a return on your investment with...the OAI hood. Buckets/ console/ aren't going to get you $1500 more (I bet you'll spend more than that to do the whole package if you're paying someone to do it). It might just take a little longer to find the right buyer

 

I've seen pricing guides list +10% for bucket seats so I think it wouldn't be a big gain financially. IMO $1,500 would be sheap for the conversion parts. I've been looking @ consoles & clean ones go for around $400 & beat ones got for $250. Bucket seat cores are $500 or $600 and then you need them covered to match the back seat. Then add in steering column, wiring harness for the console, speedo... it really adds up.

 

Ron....yours is a bench seat too ? Didn't know that. Another option would be to buy parts but not pay someone to install and sell all needed parts along with car