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Customs 4 buckets and console

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by flatout51, May 8, 2025.

  1. flatout51
    Joined: Jul 26, 2006
    Posts: 1,305

    flatout51
    Member

    I'm working on my shoebox ford. It's low. Like huge driveshaft tunnel low. I have 2 boys that will be riding in the back as I plan on making this car my daily when its ready. It's a tudor sedan that I put a coupe roof on so I don't have a coupe rear seat. I do have buckets. The front will need buckets from the massive trans tunnel thanks to the FE and C6 transmission. I'm really thinking about running 4 bucket seats and building a full length console. It would be practical and safe. In my head if I do it right with a nice surround to make the rear buckets not look just thrown in there it will be pretty cool. Just wondering if anyone else has done this and how you did it to look finished. 20250507_160902.jpg 20200424_000806.jpg Coupe.jpg
     
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  2. Moriarity
    Joined: Apr 11, 2001
    Posts: 37,225

    Moriarity
    SUPER MODERATOR
    Staff Member

    The Astorian 55 Chevy has 4 buckets, go for it IMG_3704.jpeg IMG_3703.jpeg IMG_3702.jpeg IMG_3701.jpeg
     
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  3. miker98038
    Joined: Jan 24, 2011
    Posts: 1,572

    miker98038
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    I’d start by looking at the 58-63 birds and the riviera’s. While they didn’t use full length consoles or “real” rear buckets, they’ll give you and idea or 2 on how to make it all flow together. Really classy interiors right from the factory. Using the bird rear seats was common in the day when they were junkyard items. Sometimes narrowed.
     
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  4. Bandit Billy
    Joined: Sep 16, 2014
    Posts: 15,831

    Bandit Billy
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    4 buckets and fronts that swivel like @Moriarity shows, how cool is that? Perhaps a nice decanter and glasses in the console?
     
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  5. flatout51
    Joined: Jul 26, 2006
    Posts: 1,305

    flatout51
    Member

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  6. flatout51
    Joined: Jul 26, 2006
    Posts: 1,305

    flatout51
    Member

    I think front swivels are a must have! Now I can get to work!
     
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  7. Jalopy Joker
    Joined: Sep 3, 2006
    Posts: 34,060

    Jalopy Joker
    Member

    stock swivel seats hard to find. possibly build bases sort of replicating early van front seats. had a low, chopped, '51 used stock '62 Bird seats front & rear. had a full length tunnel.
     
  8. Moriarity
    Joined: Apr 11, 2001
    Posts: 37,225

    Moriarity
    SUPER MODERATOR
    Staff Member

    and if you make your raised tunnel flat on top like the Astorian you can simply put an upholstered panel on it and you won't have to build a console....
     
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  9. Bandit Billy
    Joined: Sep 16, 2014
    Posts: 15,831

    Bandit Billy
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

  10. Could form it around the tops of the rear seats to come down like a waterfall
     
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  11. T-bird seats are interesting
    IMG_6224.jpeg
     
  12. Tim
    Joined: Mar 2, 2001
    Posts: 20,117

    Tim
    Member
    from KCMO

    Late 60’s monte Carlo’s had swivel buckets I believe as well?
     
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  13. Check out a '66 Dodge Charger. They had four bucket seats and a full-length console from the factory. Gene.
     
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  14. flatout51
    Joined: Jul 26, 2006
    Posts: 1,305

    flatout51
    Member

  15. flatout51
    Joined: Jul 26, 2006
    Posts: 1,305

    flatout51
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    I love those but the money people ask for them is ridiculous
     
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  16. Damon777
    Joined: Jan 7, 2022
    Posts: 158

    Damon777
    Member

    Colonnade GM cars had them optional. I had a buddy with a 75 Cutlass with them. I saw a set for sale at Iola a couple years back, so they are out there.
     
  17. jnaki
    Joined: Jan 1, 2015
    Posts: 11,304

    jnaki








    Hello,

    For the rear seats, that is a good look and no adjustments can be made, anyway. But, for the driver and passenger bucket seats, they should be adjustable back versions for comfort while driving. We had bucket seats from an old MG in our 40 Willys Coupe. They were moved as far back as possible in the smallish cab. So, now two teenagers still felt cramped somewhat, but at least the back seat rest was adjustable for who ever drove and was comfortable.

    Having a ton of cars over time after our 58 Impala with its bench seat, it was a bad trick in design from the factories. The seat backs never moved, except folding forward to give access to the rear seats. The factories made bucket seats on one angle and****umed all folks were built the same. Comfort? Well it was a bucket seat, but the back was still fixed in one position and most of the time, uncomfortable after a few miles on a road trip, anywhere.
    upload_2025-5-9_4-16-37.png
    At least there are some companies that make adjustable back bucket seats. Your back will be happy and driving a hot rod to various places will be in comfort. Yes, we sat in T-Bird bucket seats. They were cool and looked good, but driving up to Hollywood and back during our cruising with two and the headrests or 4 with the headrests removed, sure made a strain on our young bodies. Luckily, we were flexible enough and thought little of the comfort needed for nice cruising around or for long trips.

    Jnaki

    Yes, matching those 4 seats using fixed backs may be a choice, and that is yours. But, for the driver and passenger in the front, comfort in driving is a must. The new front adjustable bucket seats should be the starting point for looks and comfort. Then the rear fixed back seats you have can be adjusted to match the front units... YRMV
     
  18. This one was priced at 400.
    But with the price of vintage buckets I’d probably build the rear seat from plywood and foam.
     
  19. Moriarity
    Joined: Apr 11, 2001
    Posts: 37,225

    Moriarity
    SUPER MODERATOR
    Staff Member

    The 4 bucket seats in the Astorian are chromecraft sculpta 1960's vintage kitchen chairs.
    Those monte carlo buckets are way too tall for an old car, I had a pair of em in a 55 chev when I was a kid and my head was touching the headliner. The seats needed here need to thin and dainty, second gen corvette or as much as I hate to type it first gen mustang astorian2222.jpg
     
  20. 1pickup
    Joined: Feb 20, 2011
    Posts: 1,820

    1pickup
    Member

    I always liked the '66 Charger interiors with 4 buckets & the rears fold down.
    [​IMG]
     
  21. partssaloon
    Joined: Jan 28, 2009
    Posts: 793

    partssaloon
    Member

    This is how my buddy did his Nova.
    Finished rear seat.JPG
     
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  22. Squablow
    Joined: Apr 26, 2005
    Posts: 18,444

    Squablow
    Member

    The Colonnade GM buckets are way too tall, but the swivel mechanisms are nice if you found a pair of those on their own. I agree that the seats can't be too bulky or tall, it'll ruin the effect. One of those 64-66 T-bird rear seats would work nice if you split the base into two halves, but you'd have to find one to cut up. I do like the Charger interior example, thin buckets and full length console with a flip-up armrest for each pair, that would fit into a 60's showcar style build really well.
     
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  23. flatout51
    Joined: Jul 26, 2006
    Posts: 1,305

    flatout51
    Member

    I have 4 first gen Mustang seats sitting in it now. I think if I re sculpt the foam and have them covered in an older pattern they will work perfectly. I fell into them on the cheap. Have $50 in 4 of them. I would like to use them.
     
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