bucket seats? any good tips on good ones for me to use?

So im building this kaiser u know...
going to be in early 50ies style
dont want to use something that looks modern i will anyhow reupholster them anyhow but kinda rules out tbird seats etc
i would prefer something that folds like tbird seats
in other words totally forward and quite flat
but hmm on the other hand maybe folding a little angle inwards to make it easier to come in isnt a stupid idea anyhow...

anyhow anyone have a good idea?
early mustang buckets?,
early bronco buckets?

biggest issue is that they shouldnt look newer then like 1953 when reupholstered

 

I would think any of the early sixties GM seats done over in Tuck and Roll would look good.

 

Early Mustang seats fold pretty flat.

 

you can get new low back early jeep buckets prety cheep, but i think they would dissaper inside that liberty ship. bronco and mustang seats are narrow to. SteeveG's got the right line with the generals buckets, ford or mopar full size buckets should fit, but i cant think of any that fold much more than @ a 45' angle.

 

Very early Econolines, maybe? Like what they put in 1964 Thunderbolts?

 

thanx for your input,

real tbird seats are almost out of the question cant have that side chrome give it away ...

got to be easy to find though, somehow i belive early mustang seats would be easiest to find around here

there was some neat Kaiser Jeep buckets that i bid on ebay but kinda regret that i didnt bid higher on as i was outbid and the auction ended at 26 dollars for the pair..

 

If you want a look no newer than '53, use early Volkswagen buckets. They were one of the few that used buckets back then. They're plentiful and reasonably inexpensive. Any '60's seats are going to look out of place in a '50's style car.


Mutt

 

Guy in the Southland I know used a pair of factory gray cloth upholstered 88-90 or Mustang seats in a bullet nose 50 Studebaker Starlite coupe.
Aside from being a really comfortable seat with good ergonomics and quite a bit of adjustability they looked good in the car and didn't overpower the interior.
Especially after he got some matching cloth and upholstered the rear Stude seat to match.

Ergonomics is something to think about in our cars.
Granted, you're trying for a particular look, but I'd rather give some of that away and have a seat I could spend the day in with no problems.
Sweetie and I bought a new 88 Mustang GT and it was the first car I ever owned where you could spend the day in it and not end up with a dead butt and so stiff you couldn't hardly walk.

There's lots to be said for late model seats and comfort is just one aspect.
Pick the right ones and you probably wouldn't have to reupholster them.
Like the Stude owner, just do the rest of the car to match.
Black leather seats in some of the late, little bit upscale Toyo's, Lexus etc. would be a very nice way to go.

 

I am not sure what will fit, but as far as the side trim on the Tbird seats go, It can be covered such as I had done in my 62 Chebby.

 

I have early 80s MGB seats in my model A. There're real small, recline and the whole passenger seat/back folds forward like Jeep seats.

 

Some rambler seats fold BOTH ways.... 63 + classics, ambos have decent width seats. Seats in my 65 American are comfortable enough..

 

I love Mustang and T-bird/Galaxie buckets but 60's buckets look like the 60's. If you want a more 50's look, but still want bucket seats, I'd say early VW. I don't know how they fold, though.

 

There were a lot of late thirties and forties cars built here in th 50s that used 50's VOLVO seats. No lie!
You should be sending them over here!
If it's low, Austin Healey or similar seats.

 

I found a pretty nice set of buckets for a late 80's BMW 320i they are low buckets with head rests, tilt forward and recline and have a track system that is easy to retrofit to just about aything. I also like them because they will work well with the 5 point belts. Shawn

 

thanx for everyones input

yeah well volvo actually had some decent chairs, kinda tried to stay off the for me none exotic volvo stuff, but volvo pv might be an alternative atleast they will be re upholstered so they wont look like originals anyhow

and yeah even some modern seats might be an alternative

the biggest issue is that they should look early 50ies but from where they comefrom isnt so important just as i can get hold of a decent pair
but even early 60ies mustang might be able to be reupholstered to look cool enough...

/daemon

 

I used '66 dodge phoenix seats in my wifes fairlane.They are pretty wide but short and have alot of cool aluminium trim on them.