High Back Bucket Seats for 68 Firebird
 

My 68 Firebird has lo-back buckets with a center console and I would like to replace them with high-back seats. I was rear-ended at high speed years ago and the high bucket seats probably saved my life. Never felt 100% protected since without high-back seats.

Since the 69 and 70 seats had the adjustable headrest this seems like the best option. Will the 69 and/or 70 seat bolt into a 68 or is some massaging needed?

I would prefer a single piece seatback like the 71 and up but I don't want to deviate that far from the stock appearance.

Thanks for the replies!

I have 4th gen seats in my 67. They dont look bad, or not to me anyway. They might look too modern for some I guess. But heck even these are 30 years old now.

I appreciate your view. As someone who spent months in a collar after a fractured C2, I get it. I put 3 point retractor belts in my 67, and your seat idea would be a great improvement for safety AND comfort.

Are they cloth or vinyl? got a pic?

same headrests on the early 69 was available in 67,68 as an option.
just use the seat back and headrest.
69 had a larger bun (bottom cushion) but otherwise was same seat.

Squidward - three point belts a priority too.

Cammer6 -Good info on the seat back interchangeability. I passed on a pair of 69 seats at Pigeon Forge because the mounting frame was too rusty. Now I know!

Those early 1970 firebird seats are very expensive & somewhat hard to find in good shape.... a very similar seat in looks & with a adjustable headrest are the Procar rally seats, I have them in my 1972 firebird and they fit almost like they were designed for the car, and they are a lot more comfortable than OEM seats with much better bolsters... & they fully recline!

I can post a pic but can see them in many different cars on a good search. About half teh price or better than a set of nice or restored 1970 F-bird seats.

I had 69/70 Chevelle seat first in the 409 64 Impala then in the 69 Roadrunner i got to replace it-it had no front seats.
Impala had low backs that did not latch so hit the brakes hard the the front seats flipped forward.

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/sca-80-1300-51l

The Procar Rally is a bit too modern but the above Procar seat looks more like a stock seat. Plus they offer a bracket for the 68 making install simple. Thanks for the lead.

Yes those are nice too and do look a little more like a factory seat, but I really like the fit the added side bolsters provide on the rallys, very comfortable & for any type of spirited driving or auto cross etc, the side bolsters really make a difference for holding you in position vs sliding around that the factory firebird seats or others without a little extra bolsters on the sides.

Ive owned quite a few 2nd gen firebirds and rode in 1st gens, that was my only complaint on the seats... too flat, and if vinyl, too slippery.

Also, keep in mind the procar seat tracks/brkts are known to sit higher than factory seats, when I was researching seats for my car I read a lot of reviews that said the provided seat tracks/brackets made the seats sit much higher than stock so for taller/bigger people that was an issue. I chose to make brackets out of flat plate steel that allowed me to use the original GM seat tracks so the seats sit at original factory height. Also the procar brackets are expensive, over $100 for the rally brackets, I made the brackets for about $5.

This is kind of a have your cake and eat it too situation. Unfortunately older or classic looking seats typically aren't going to provide the type of safety you're looking for.

My 69 bird has the adjustable headrest, but honestly, they don't do a great job. The seatback is not adjustable and the headrest simply extends up, instead of also towards your head. While it's certainly going to be better in a rear end collision compared to a lowback seat without headrests, you're still a whiplash candidate.

The Procar stuff is going to probably be the best compromise between classic looks and modern safety.

Something like the Sparco GT or the Carbeau GTS II are more modern designs without being too crazy in the looks department.


https://corbeau.com/products/gts-ii
https://www.sparcousa.com/product/gt

keep in mind of 2 variations of 69 Headrest.
straight and angled

early vs late

78W72
what seats are those,and do they offer matching rear seat material too?

They are the Procar Rally 1000, they have options for covering, even real leather I think... not sure if they will sell additional material for rear seats, worth asking them. The ones linked above are the non side bolster version, same basic seat though.

The main reason I went with them is they are a very close match to factory Firebird rear vinyl seats I had with the vertical stitching.

Vinyl.

I’m not sure what year? I think maybe 95. I bought them out of a barn loft. Super low miles. White, I SEM vinyl dyed them black.

I think they might be convertible seats. They don’t have the seat belt alignment hook in the headrest that most 3rd/4th gen’s do.

Because they recline they give a little more headroom than factory seats.