Although my Cutlass is a '72, I think I have '68 seats.
The seat back release is on the side, not the back.
I need to order new covers and also want to change to the rallye style without the buttons.

George

 

The '72 release button would be in the middle of the upper back. A pic of your seat would help.

 

These are the seats in my '72.

George

 

It doesn't matter if all you are doing is changing the covers- ANY GM "Strato Bucket" seat covers from 66-72 will still fit the frames. So up the foam and covers you like.

I actually prefer the 67/68 design with the side release. A much more convenient design IMO, but they must have changed for a reason.

Anyway- Chevelle, GTO, Impala, Cutlass 1966-1972- The physical dimensions of the strato bucket seat frames are the same. Tracks were different- but only the Camaro and corvair had completely different bucket frames.

The foam style & covers have to match however, as certain covers need relief channels for the bolsters.

 

I think I get it.
I was hung up on the release lever position, however the seat back is plastic in all cases. I thought the cover would have an opening for the release lever.
Pardon my ignorance. I'm not at home else I would have just looked at the seat.

G.

 

Likely 68/69 seats or earlier. IIRC the headrests were an option for them back then. 1970 and up would have headrests as standard equipment. (safety legislation for crash protection)

The seat covers in your car look like they are PUI? The grain appears wrong for the year, but the pattern is generally right. Looks like a couple of the seat buttons have popped off. I've heard lots of complaints about PUI seat covers doing that. Not so much from Legendary.

The 'rallye' style seat in the pic you posted shows the stitching pattern for a Cutlass Supreme. Olds never had a seat like that BTW, but it sure does look nice. Side bolsters are very prominent. LOL it should come with a 5 point harness. If you choose that? Pick 'elk' grain. Ask the manufacturer if the upper cover has holes for the headrests that all 72 A51 strato buckets came with.

 

They wouldn't be 69's. The release is on the back in 69.

If they are plastic backs and a side release, they are likely 68's. Recently I think someone said late 67 seats had plastic backs but I never knew that. Headrests were an option in 68 although someone else recently said if you had the optional reclining buckets then those all had headrests in 68.

 

Thanks for the info.
I'm choosing the rallye seat design for two reasons that are really bugging me about the current seats. The current seats don't hold you in place at all. In fact, they make you feel un-welcome lol.
Secondly, the buttons catch on your trousers and pop off. Grrrr.

George

 

Good info Mike. I just looked up the A81 and A82 options for Strato and bench cars for 68. It appears they were just options as you said. But on the right side reclining bucket seat (option A70) the head rests were only recommended, not mandatory.

 

If you had a recliner in any year, the release button is on the side as a '68. Although I don't know about the driver side to match.

 

Not for '66 at least. Both seats, no latch button. Recliner, or not.