Strato Bench Seat Tech
 

Hey guys,

Looking for information as well as wanting to post what I have learned. I plan to put a strato bench seat into my 66 when I get it back so here is what I have learned so far.

http://www.chevytalk.org/fusionbb/sh...hp?tid/189410/
The front plate mounting surface is raised 3/16" above the original floor. The rear plate mount surface is 5/8" above the floor. Notice the bolt holes... they line up with the outer bolt holes that are in your present floor and were bolted down and then welded to the floor on the front and back edges of the plates. The outer mounting studs are 1-1/16" inside of those bolt holes, center to center. I measure 3-7/16" between the rear studs c/c, and 3-5/16" between the front studs c/c. These studs have large round flat heads under the plates, as seen in one of the pics. The studs are 5/16" size, coarse thread. The front-to-back measurement of the raised mounting pads on the plates are 2-1/2" on the front and 2-3/8" on the rear.
So, with that info, I think you'll be able to make something that will do using some steel plate and some bolts.

I will move the pics from that thread at some point.

I understand that to redo the foam you simply use bucket seat foam and create the center section with foam and glue it together to make the seat bottom.

Only reproduction covers are from PUI. Believe 66 Grand prix and 67 Impala are the only ones being reproduced other than custom made.

Springs on the backs are the same as well as the frame other than the brackets that mount the seat backs to the bottom. Springs on the bottom are almost the same, but obviously more due to the center bench portion.

Feel free to add any info that you have about these.

pics of the mount brackets from the thread above.

Oh, should mention, that you can't get the 66 grand prix seat covers in a convertible (obviously), so if you are doing a vert, you only off the shelf option is the Impala.

Anyway, my 66 Vert is getting a strato bench, so I will have to get creative ;)

Just to be sure...
 

The Strato-Bench option is the backward-reclining bucket seat?

Was this available for both front seats or just one, and if one, which one?

"Strato" was simply the design of the seat starting in 66. The bucket seats used in the A-body and full size cars were called Strato Buckets. The Strato Bench is simply a a bench seat that utilizes the same design. Here is a good photo of a strato bench.

It is so crazy that there were different mounts for each type of seat. It is all so close yet so aggravatingly far off.

So you're saying the mounting holes for a strato bench seat are different than a regular bench seat? That is weird.

I used to have a '65 GP with the strato bench and column shift, which was kind of unusual for a Grand Prix. It was a pretty comfortable seat.

it is kind of crazy for sure, but these seats were used in other GM vehicles as well.

Curious though, do bucket seats direct swap into these full size cars that had bench seats, at least the outer bolts anyway? Reason for asking is that if they bolt into the same outer bolt holes where a bench seat would bolt, does that move the strato bench inward vs a bucket seat considering the brackets above? hope you can follow the question.

Sorry I can't help with your question but thought I would share a picture of my 66 GP with Strato Bench seat in cloth and vinyl. The seats have headrests and the passenger reclines.

MarkC

Strato bench seat
 

Mark, love the gold interior of your Grand Prix ! Beautiful car.
Are the covers for your interior available anywhere?
I have a seat out of a 66 Toronado that I would love to use in my 66, same gold interior color as yours, but in a bench seat.
I know I can add headrests that Ames sells as a kit, and I have a recliner frame out of a 66 Bonneville that I would like to try to adapt into the passenger side seat :D

Wow those headrests are like PILLOWS!

Let me check the receipts I have for the car. Most of the interior is original and the car only has 51,000 miles on it.

MarkC

Stratobench width
 

I'd like to put a Stratobench in my '66 Bonneville 2dr and maybe my '66 Bonne wagon too. But aren't they a couple of inches narrower than a standard bench ?