Classic cars with front bench seats

One of the problems with getting older, is that it’s harder to get in and out of our cars.

 

Most of us grew up with cars that had bench seats up front. It was much easier to slide behind the wheel and drive away. Today’s cars all have bucket seats and some of them can be a chore to get in and out of comfortably.

 

Bench seats disappeared when Chevrolet offered them for the last time in 2014.  Even then, customers had to pay $195 more for bench seats if they wanted them in their Impala models. Chrysler had phased them out of its cars in 2004 and Ford followed suit in 2011.

 

Bucket seats were prevalent in European and Asian cars because they were considered to be sporty and the cars were usually smaller than American-made sedans. In America, they became necessary with the advent of air bags. It was easier to protect two people up front than three.

 

Another advantage was the additional storage space in the now available center console, which also holds the transmission shifter in most cars. The split front seats offer a center armrest for the driver and passenger as well.

 

I learned to drive with “three on the tree” as the three-speed shifter was mounted on the steering column. Even automatic transmission shifters were mounted on the column until they were moved to the center console in recent years.

 

But I miss having bench seats. They were perfect for cuddling while at a drive-in movie. Drive-in movies, that’s another thing that has disappeared other than a few hold outs around the country.

 

I remember sitting between my parents or grandparents on shopping trips or weekend drives when I could barely see over the dashboard. I remember being totally amazed when the turn signal turned off automatically in our 1949 Buick. I watched my mother hit the lever and then keep both hands on the steering wheel as we turned and the blinker went off. I thought it was some kind of magic.

 

Unfortunately, many drivers today don’t know what that turn signal lever is for.

 

When I got older and began to drive, it was the custom for my girlfriend to sit in the middle of the seat instead of near the passenger door. It was considered a kind of affection. Maybe that closeness led to more than cuddling at the drive-in for some of us.

 

Today’s cars offer a variety of options for the seats. Leather is a popular choice along with heated and cooled seats. Lumbar support and even massaging options are available with the powered bucket seats on some upscale models. Sports cars offer racing-inspired seats.

 

But, because the bucket seats are usually lower than a bench seat, they become a hindrance to many, especially those of us who aren’t as limber as we used to be. Some of us have to sit down first and then pull our legs inside. Getting out we have to reverse the process. In a tight parking space, that can be even more challenging.

 

Bucket seats are here to stay. They are safer, more comfortable, more stylish and offer that additional storage space in the middle.

 

Many of us may not be around when self-driving cars are the norm. In the meantime, we can only lament the demise of bench seats and drive-in movies.

 

– Ryan from St. George, Utah, a FAR customer who is finding purpose in this new stage of his life.

 

* The opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions or views of the Finance of America Reverse (LLC).

This article is intended for general informational and educational purposes only, and should not be construed as financial or tax advice. For more information about whether a reverse mortgage may be right for you, you should consult an independent financial advisor. For tax advice, please consult a tax professional.