MrEarl Posted February 9, 2012 Share Posted February 9, 2012 I am trying to learn what early bucket seats, say '61 through '64 are close to the same or interchangeable between the different makes. We'll probably be talking GM here. I am planning on installing some in a 54 Buick mild custom/hot rod. I want to maintain the character of the original 2 door bench seats. There is a piece of chrome trim that goes up from the bottom and over the top on the Roadmaster and Skylark seats and that is the look I want to retain. I need to know first off which models carried this piece of trim . And then are small series Buicks, say Special/Skylarks the same size as say Wildcats/Rivieras etc.Attached are a couple pictures of some that I am currently considering out of a 62 Buick Skylark to show the chrome band I am speaking of. any help will be appreciated! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buick5563 Posted February 9, 2012 Share Posted February 9, 2012 Lamar,I'm pretty sure that all of the 62-64 seats B body seats have that strip. 61's are the same general size but have the strip up the outer edge. My 63 Cat had that style seat, and I loved those. I don't know for sure that the Skylark seats are the same size, but they look exactly alike (in pictures).I'd find some Impala or Wildcat seats, then recover them (if stock) in Impala covers, since they are cheaper than the Buick equivalent.BTW, I want to do this with my wagon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jackofalltrades70 Posted February 10, 2012 Share Posted February 10, 2012 Lamar,I'm pretty sure that all of the 62-64 seats B body seats have that strip. 61's are the same general size but have the strip up the outer edge. My 63 Cat had that style seat, and I loved those. I don't know for sure that the Skylark seats are the same size, but they look exactly alike (in pictures).I'd find some Impala or Wildcat seats, then recover them (if stock) in Impala covers, since they are cheaper than the Buick equivalent.BTW, I want to do this with my wagon.Would look wild but mild with 4 buckets and center consoles front and back. Matt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buick5563 Posted February 10, 2012 Share Posted February 10, 2012 I was talking with Bill Stoneberg about that very thing last weekend. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NTX5467 Posted February 10, 2012 Share Posted February 10, 2012 (With a redundant "operating console" between the rear pair for back seat drivers?)(HOW many SPAM containers can fit in one of those consoles? Better stop there . . .)It's my suspicion that all of the bucket seats back then were the same cushions, especially on the full-size cars. Of course, if you look for the Impala SS items, they're probably readily available, but if you inquire about similar "Buick" items, people will run backwards. I also seem to recall the noted chrome trim on all of the Impala SS seats, too.No doubt, you'll need to fabricate some seat tracks to match your floorpan.Enjoy!NTX5467 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrEarl Posted February 10, 2012 Author Share Posted February 10, 2012 (edited) I've asked for some dimensions on these Skylark seats so maybe if someone has some Wildcat seats they could measure them for us so we can see if they are the same size. I'm a stickler for things being in scale and couldn't stand it they look out of scale. I really want to carry forward the theme of the original Roadmaster convertible style seat upholstery, with the roll and pleat bottom bench and roll and pleat panel in the top. Dreams dreams dreams Edited February 10, 2012 by MrEarl (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrEarl Posted February 10, 2012 Author Share Posted February 10, 2012 Would look wild but mild with 4 buckets and center consoles front and back. MattThe 4 door Wildcats seats, the ones that don't fold forward, would work well for the front of that long roof. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Hector Posted February 10, 2012 Share Posted February 10, 2012 Lamar,I think that I'll be able to go and visit with my parts this weekend,I have a set of '64 Wildcat buckets sitting in the shop.I can measure and take some pics if you like.I do believe that they will be larger than the Skylark ones tho. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrEarl Posted February 10, 2012 Author Share Posted February 10, 2012 Lamar,I think that I'll be able to go and visit with my parts this weekend,I have a set of '64 Wildcat buckets sitting in the shop.I can measure and take some pics if you like.I do believe that they will be larger than the Skylark ones tho.Man, I'll appreciate that. would these by any chance be for..(clears throat) "sale"? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buick5563 Posted February 10, 2012 Share Posted February 10, 2012 I like the idea of using original fabric on the buckets.But: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poci1957 Posted February 10, 2012 Share Posted February 10, 2012 I really want to carry forward the theme of the original Roadmaster convertible style seat upholstery, with the roll and pleat bottom bench and roll and pleat panel in the top. Just a thought on that Mr Earl, note that 1962 Grand Prix had a simple pleat and the bucket seat covers are available repro for about $400 a pair Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1953mack Posted February 10, 2012 Share Posted February 10, 2012 (edited) For those interested and for the historical archives file:I went thru my stash of Buick parts and took some measurements off the L-shaped, with a little return, 1.5" wide stainless steel trim strips that came off a 1954 Skylark front seat, similar to those pictured in MrEarl's first picture in Post #6 above, that measure.....Outside Vertical leg (door side) = 21 inches highHorizontal leg (across the top of the seat back) = 26.5" longInside Return vertical leg (where the two front seat back sides meet) = 1.5" highThere is only one factory screw hole in each of the s. s. trim strips and that is in the "inside return vertical leg." These s.s. trim strips are not the same; there is a LEFT and there is a RIGHT. Note also that the "inside return vertical leg" does not go all the way down to match the "outside verticle leg" height as the non-1954 Skylark bucket seats in Posts #1 and #10 above show.I knew I bought these trim strips for some reason! Al Mack"500 Miles West of Flint" Edited February 11, 2012 by 1953mack (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Hector Posted February 11, 2012 Share Posted February 11, 2012 Man, I'll appreciate that. would these by any chance be for..(clears throat) "sale"?Sorry,not at this time.I bought them for a future Buick hotrod that I'm planning on building,I also have the console:D.I won't be able to go to the shop this weekend but next time,I hope next weekend,I'll take the measurements. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Hector Posted February 20, 2012 Share Posted February 20, 2012 I was able to visit my shop this weekend and take the pics and measurements of the buckets,hope that it helps.measurements:widest part of the seat cushion=+/-26"widest part of the seat backrest=+/-22"Height of the backrest measured from the floor=+/-29"length of seat measured from the back of the backrest to the front of the seat cushion=+/-24"length of seat cushion measured from the front of the backrest=+/-18"Notice that these seats do not have the metal trim going around the top of the backrest as the ones that you showed on the original post. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrEarl Posted February 21, 2012 Author Share Posted February 21, 2012 (edited) Thanks Al and Hector for taking the time to take and post those measurements. I got measurements from the Skylark seats and they appear to be about 2.5 to 3 inches shorter in height compared to the Wildcat seats which makes me think the Skylark seats would be too short looking. Edited February 21, 2012 by MrEarl (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrEarl Posted February 21, 2012 Author Share Posted February 21, 2012 For those interested and for the historical archives file:I went thru my stash of Buick parts and took some measurements off the L-shaped, with a little return, 1.5" wide stainless steel trim strips that came off a 1954 Skylark front seat, similar to those pictured in MrEarl's first picture in Post #6 above, that measure.....Outside Vertical leg (door side) = 21 inches highHorizontal leg (across the top of the seat back) = 26.5" longInside Return vertical leg (where the two front seat back sides meet) = 1.5" highThere is only one factory screw hole in each of the s. s. trim strips and that is in the "inside return vertical leg." These s.s. trim strips are not the same; there is a LEFT and there is a RIGHT. Note also that the "inside return vertical leg" does not go all the way down to match the "outside verticle leg" height as the non-1954 Skylark bucket seats in Posts #1 and #10 above show.I knew I bought these trim strips for some reason! Al Mack"500 Miles West of Flint"Al, as an FYI, '54 Slylarks used '54 Roadmaster seats. Sounds odd considering the width and all, but that is the case. Do you happen to have the bottom skirts too or just the top pieces? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TOPCAT Posted February 21, 2012 Share Posted February 21, 2012 Wanna buy a whole 2dr 63 Wildcat with the buckets and console?Peace WildBill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrEarl Posted February 21, 2012 Author Share Posted February 21, 2012 Maybe..... Location? Price? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RivNut Posted February 21, 2012 Share Posted February 21, 2012 Talk to the Calvin at Clark's Corvair. He got into Corvairs, and then into 1st generation Rivieras. He makes upholstery kits for both and sells seat buns and lean back cushions for both. He can probably tell you how all of the GM buckets from the era compare. I had a set of '64 SS seats for my '55 Chevy that I bolted into my '63 Riviera and drove it while the Riv seats were being reupholstered. I think the chrome trim across the backs is just decorative and hides seams. I'm thinking you could probably install any trim on any seat. Look at the Legendary Interiors website and see all fo the different patterns they make for these GM buckets.Ed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ted "Wildcat65" Nagel Posted February 21, 2012 Share Posted February 21, 2012 Wanna buy a whole 2dr 63 Wildcat with the buckets and console?Peace WildBillI hope that is mine you are trying to sell! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TOPCAT Posted February 22, 2012 Share Posted February 22, 2012 I hope that is mine you are trying to sell!I'd sell your car for two pieces of 65 Wildcat belt trim Peace WildBill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1953mack Posted February 22, 2012 Share Posted February 22, 2012 Al, as an FYI, '54 Slylarks used '54 Roadmaster seats. Sounds odd considering the width and all, but that is the case. Do you happen to have the bottom skirts too or just the top pieces?Thanks for the info, but I do not have the bottom skirts off a 1954 Skylark (or Roadmaster) front seat. Al Mack"500 Miles West of Flint" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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