Still noodling about how to revamp the interior in my GS California car. Legendary has "skylark" from split bench/rear seat covers, but they say you must reuse the buttons, which I don't have. Does anyone have these for sale? perhaps a big old coffee can full of them? I am also toying with the idea of using the seat covers from a 1967 Chevelle, which appear to be the same seat to me. I like that pattern better really. Either way it's wrong for my car, but will be better than the split/discolored trash I have now.
Think I have what you need if not too late : https://www.v8buick.com/index.php?threads/1968-complet-seat-buttons-set.381505/
Max Damage, The buttons for the standard interiors are different then the deluxe interiors. If you can post a pic of your interior maybe we can figure out which style you need. Duane
Someone is going to have to post a pic of that interior to see what is correct. I no longer have all my Vinyl/Trim books, they went with the business. I can tell you that the 68 Deluxe Buttons, that get wider in the middle, would not be correct. Duane
It looks like a GS California got no seat buttons at all. Here’s a really nice ‘68 that looks correct: Patrick https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1968-buick-special-california-gs/
There are two different seat buttons. The ‘deluxe’ interior (GS400, Skylark Custom, optional on GS350) had the slightly oval seat button. The Skylark, Special Deluxe and Sportwagon got the similar but narrower seat buttons along with vertical buttons on the door and side panels. Specials and GS Californias got none. Patrick
The standard interior seats, with the buttons, have long rectangular buttons with vinyl in the center. Those buttons were also used for the 1970 Buick Standard interiors, and were also available in certain year Chevy pickups.. The 68 Buick Deluxe interior buttons are unique, although there were some 68 Chevelle’s that were ordered with deluxe interiors, and those came with the 68 Buick deluxe interiors as well. Duane
Ir was mentioned earlier that an armrest seat would be nice (and I agree); it looks like the only way to get an armrest in ‘68 A bodies was the notchback seat deluxe interior-Skylark Custom hardtops and GSs. Patrick
Here’s a ‘68 Chevelle SS four speed with the factory installed Buick deluxe interior. Rumor says a few El Caminos were built with it, too. Patrick
Yeah, When I first came out with the 68 Buick deluxe/custom interiors they literally sold like hotcakes. I sold the majority of my interiors thru wholesalers, and at the time I could not figure out who was buying all these interiors, as the 68 Buicks were not all that popular. I mean, I was not complaining about the sales, but I was sure interested in where they were going, as I had to do the insert material in batches, and had quickly run out of certain colors. I needed to know if it was a fluke, or if this sales trend would continue, as I could not afford to stock too much of the pleated insert material at any given time. Finally one of my venders told me he was selling the majority to the Chevelle guys and I had my answer. Duane
Sorry I missed all this activity due to a notification issue! As Patrick illustrated, The '68 GS Cal interior in fact has no buttons at all. But I also cannot find anyone that makes this pattern... I was thinking about switching to the standard Buick type interior seat covers, although I cannot get door panels that match that and fit the post car... I kind of like the Chevelle covers that TMI makes for the 1967 Chevelle. I think this is the same seat frame as my '68? I have a bunch of metal work to do on the car as well as paint, vinyl, etc. etc. Ugh.
I think you are going to run into the same issue with the Chevelle interiors. If your 2-door post model Buick interior has long rear side panels that go straight down to the floor, with no side ash tray pieces, then your rear seat will be wider then a regular Buick or Chevelle rear seat. You need to make sure your rear seat is the correct width. Otherwise you are going to end up with a rear seat cover you can’t use, and will have to get someone to build a custom seat to match the front seat design. Duane
There are 3 different rear seats available on the Skylarks and Chevelle’s, A Convertible, a 2-door Coupe, and a 2-door Sedan. Duane
Thanks Duane, I appreciate you taking the time to share your knowledge. I think some of the Chevelle's had the wide rear bench (300?). Still it would be an expensive gamble...
I think you are correct about the Chevelle 300 interiors, however the pic you posted of the bench seat is for a regular Chevelle coupe or convertible. IIRC the 300 interiors look like they came out of a taxi cab. If you can’t find anything pre-made , my advice is to get a set made up locally in a design that you like. Duane
