1960s Front seat bench

[jwwseville60]

On every 1960s Caddy I own, 1960,1961,1963...I have had to unbolt the front seat bench and move it back 2––3 inches. Well, my mechanic did anyway. What a pain.

Im only 6 ft. tall.
Why did Cadillac make the front seat bench so cramped?
Anyone know?

[David Greenburg]

I've wondered the same thing. I think we were collectively shorter back in those days, and they were designing for the average Joe and Joanne.

[Clewisiii]

It is also our width. The distance from the pedal to back of the seat is a blend of height and waistline.

[Michael Petti]

I thought I was the only one. At 5ft 7inches I feel too crowded and I thought I had installed the 6 way seat wrong.

[David Greenburg]

If you really want to feel cramped, try the front seat of a Series 75 limo w/divider. People must have recruited their chauffeurs from retired jockeys.

[Lexi]

Yes, perhaps Cadillac sacrificed some front cabin space to increase the size of the rear "salon" area, (as they called it). Not much room up front in some of those older cars. Clay/Lexi

[jwwseville60]

Well, GM left room for moving it back at least.

[Lexi]

Yes they did John. But in the case of my Limo for example, they also shortened the rear deck (hence trunk size), to further enlarge the rear seat area, in addition to a factory stretch & an extended wheelbase of 149.75 inches. I always thought that it affected the look of the car as it has made them appear a bit on the "stubby" side in the rear quarters. Even though the Series 75s back then are longer cars than the Series 62s, most of the later had body lines that tend to flow better with the deeper trunk. Those Series 62s arguably do look better at least in some respects, rear exterior, (but not interior IMO). Clay/Lexi

[64\/54Cadillacking]

I find the same odd issue with legroom in my '64. How can these cars be so long with a massive wheelbase with not much leg room for tall people to stretch out? It's definitely a styling issue I believe or possibly the X-Frame chassis somehow interfering with interior roominess.

Because it looks starting from 1959-64, the interior legroom on those specific years was not that good at all for above average height of and adult male.

Compared to my '54 Fleetwood, that car has legroom for days. It's literally a mini limo when sitting in the back seat. So much room to stretch out and the interior  hip room is absolutely massive.

Front seat legroom is equally as spacious with lots of legroom up front. The low transmission tunnel height also makes it easy and comfortable for someone to sit in the middle seat without their knees hitting them in the face.

[jwwseville60]

Perhaps design changes for safety. Also, the 61-64 cars were lower and sleeker, which probably hurt interior room.

[Steve W]

My 68 Coupe deVille came from the factory with two front seat mounting locations!! I was able to re-mount the seat myself farther back, and now it fits just right! (Apparently it was a 'customer convenience option' that your dealer would do free of charge, back in the day). And, luckily, my car has the tilt/telescopic steering wheel option, so its infinitely adjustable, and very comfy for guys like me. The tilt feature makes getting in and out of the car a breeze too! That's just one reason why I prefer a hardtop coupe over a sedan of ANY classic make...longer front door!

I'm just a hair under 6'6" and have ALWAYS had to relocate the front seats in my cars. On my 66 GTO convertible, I had to have the seats removed and steel skids bolted in to move the seat rearward. Same with my 68 Camaro SS convertible. I could have had them welded in, but I wanted to make the modification reversible to a potential next owner. I was prepared to do the same with my CdV, until I read the chassis manual! What a relief. (The only other vehicle I have that has plenty of legroom is my good old 03 Tahoe!)

[The Tassie Devil(le)]

...... That's just one reason why I prefer a hardtop coupe over a sedan of ANY classic make...longer front door!....

Except when parking in most any modern car parks, especially shopping centres where that extra length of door is a real pain.

Bruce.

[Julien Abrahams]

Try parking in the average European size car parking spot .
And parking garages I cannot get in, because the bends are too tight. Well a good excuse to use two parking spaces (which people actually do not mind when they look at the car).

[Steve W]

Luckily for me, here in So California, that's not an issue!  However, finding a parking spot that's deep enough can sometimes be! 

[76Caddy]

It's not only the 60's but 70's as well.  I'm 6'0 and feel cramped in my Fleetwood but there's plenty of room in the back and my Seville was not meant for big people at all (tall or fat).

Tim