split bench seat, is it original???
 

I have a 1955 1st series that was built in Canada, I was wondering if they were offered with a split bench seat. Did somebody add this later? it seems to be original to the truck.

Thanks for your help, pix on the way.

Re: split bench seat, is it original???
 

I asked this question about a panel truck that had a split bench. Small seat on RH side, larger for driver and passenger. No answers that time, but maybe you'll have better luck.

Re: split bench seat, is it original???
 

I think what you mean is the seats on a Carry all or suburban. 70% bench on drivers side and 30% seat on passenger side that folds forward to the dash?

Re: split bench seat, is it original???
 

Ya it seems to be 60-40ish. 4 bolts hold the drivers sliding seat to the cab, while the back of the passenger side slides down on two brackets mounted above the gas tank, and the passenger seat is bolted to a "ring" that is secured to the floor that wraps around the entire seat assembly.

Seems to be stock, or else a previous owner did one hell of a job.

Re: split bench seat, is it original???
 

Do you have any pics? Very curious about this seat setup
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Re: split bench seat, is it original???
 

Some may have swapped in a carryall seat at one time. The got this truck with a bad seat and right there in the wrecking yard is this carryall with a perfect seat thing.

Re: split bench seat, is it original???
 

Yes... it was a Suburban come to think of it. Neat that it folds forward. Here's the picture with the split bench:

http://www.barrett-jackson.com/stagi...terior_Web.jpg

Re: split bench seat, is it original???
 

On a two door Carry all/suburban you would need the split seat to be able to access the back seat. Or have kids small enough you could just throw them over the front seat into the back.

With the 5 window pickup I wouldn't see any viable reason that the factory would put one in. Somewhere along the line I'd say as I did before that someone swapped it in either because they found it in great shape in the wrecking yard or because they wanted easy access to the area behind the seat above the gas tank. It doesn't happen to have a gun rack behind the seat or holes where one was mounted ? Where someone could have hung his rifle out of site but very easy to access from the passenger side by flipping the seat forward. That way their deer rifle could be tucked away out of site but still easy to access when they got to where they were going to hunt or a carpenter could have hung a long level back there.

Re: split bench seat, is it original???
 

My grandfather's delivery trucks often had split seats with a stowable passenger side. It allowed the driver to put some boxes in the front so he didn't need to open the body at every stop. You'd let the seat down when two guys were on the run. The OEM split Suburban seat would not have been appropriate for those trucks.

Re: split bench seat, is it original???
 

so to answer your question... no it is not stock for a pickup, only for a panel or suburban.
they are rare as hens teeth and quite pricey if you need to buy one.
i've seen bare frames sell for hundreds

Re: split bench seat, is it original???
 

http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/n...0806-00117.jpg

The Seats.

http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/n...0806-00113.jpg

This is the clips that the passenger seat attaches to.

http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/n...0806-00115.jpg

this is the base in the cab.

Re: split bench seat, is it original???
 

Mr48Chev, I didn't see any gun rack mounts.

here is the driver seat, the sliding mechanism attached to the floorpan with some large washers.

http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/n...0806-00116.jpg


http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/n...0806-00114.jpg

the clips that held the back of the passenger seat in place.

Re: split bench seat, is it original???
 

That was was just a theory. Possibly the truck was special ordered that way for a specific purpose. As oneprojec2many said about his grandfather's trucks being set up to have packages in the front beside the drivers, this may have been set up this way for the same reason.

Re: split bench seat, is it original???
 

I'm going with the theory that a vertically challenged used to own the truck and needed to be closer to the pedals. I plan on reupholstering them in john deere yellow and dark green to complement my theme.

Re: split bench seat, is it original???
 

Huh. Looks like a "Unison Type seat" from the '54 factory manual:
http://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com...4ctsm0114.html

"The Unison seat is so named because of the action of the seat back and cushion. These two units are fastened together and move in unison, the back moving up and down with seat cushion movement."

Sounds like an uncommon option to me.

See... this is why I love this site! Something new every day.

Re: split bench seat, is it original???
 

1project2many Thank you!!! I was starting to think boat seats, but thats exactly what I got. I like rare options :metal:

http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/n...0806-00118.jpg

Side view


http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/n...0806-00119.jpg

Back view


http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/n...0806-00121.jpg

WTF is this here for? some kind of stash spot maybe? spring loaded metal doors bolted on the wooden bottom.

.

Re: split bench seat, is it original???
 

that's your chevy whoopie cushion, it lets the air out of the seat when you sit on it.

Re: split bench seat, is it original???
 

First thing that came to mind was if you really needed to go.....
What to call it?
Porta John?
Better yet, Porta Potty!
:lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol:

Re: split bench seat, is it original???
 

Check out the seats in this one for sale. http://boise.craigslist.org/cto/3984831074.html

Re: split bench seat, is it original???
 

In the 1954 Chevy and GMC pickup that seat was an option called a truckers seat. the driver set on the small seat.

steve

Re: split bench seat, is it original???
 

Ok, the truck in the pic needs, no, demands it's own thread. :)
55-59 NAPCO?
Or looking at the hood, 58-59?

Beautiful!

Re: split bench seat, is it original???
 

I don't think that's organal to the truck however it looks like one ot of a pannel so it may be a special order because they will bolt right up.
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Re: split bench seat, is it original???
 

'57 Napco. Yes, beautiful. Auction truck...
http://www.barrett-jackson.com/appli...?aid=53&ln=713

Re: split bench seat, is it original???
 

Not a GMC option 54 and 55 1st series Chevy only. Found mostly in the COE trucks but optional in the smaller trucks.