rear seat removal

my69396 · 11-05-2016, 07:04 PM

If the car doesn't have a roll bar can you take the back seat out? It is a 57 chevy and they made some business coupes with out a rear seat. just asking. Thanks jerry

Dwight Southerland · 11-05-2016, 07:20 PM

A real '57 business coupe has a jump seat (looks like a platform) in the back and has sealed in quarter windows that don't have roll mechanism.

Woodfin · 11-06-2016, 10:33 AM

a bit of trivia;

From about 1947 - 1957 Chevy built a model called "business sedan"

The market was traveling salesmen who stacked their sample wares on that rear platform. The platform was made of wood, was just tall enough to make the floor level over the driveshaft hump. The few factory originals I have seen were all pained black. In hind sight it seems a four door would have been more convenient but for what ever reason it was only done with two door models.

Another example of a by gone era.

[correction, business coupe or businessman's coupe, not sedan]

mike britt · 11-06-2016, 11:45 AM

The real answer is, according to the rule book, you have to cover the metal with carpet that match's the front carpet if you remove the rear seat.

TGould · 11-06-2016, 03:12 PM

Several years ago when the rule allowing all cars to move up or down a class was implemented, I requested a rule change that would allow cars without a roll bar, that are not allowed to move down a class (V/S six cylinders) ,to remove the back seat and carpet the area. My request was not approved.

HandOverFist · 11-06-2016, 08:00 PM

Short answer...No.

Dwight Southerland · 11-06-2016, 09:58 PM

If you want to make your car like a business coupe (also known as a utility sedan), do your homework. I'm not sure there are many tech people who know what a 1957 Chevy business coupe is supposed to be equipped like, but it would behoove you to make it as close to right as possible. The business coupe was a model of the 150 series, so the outside chrome would have to be correct. You can duplicate the platform in the back from plywood with just a little work. If you lock the rear quarter windows so they cannot move and take the roll mechanism and handles out, that will probably pass. The trunk divider was covered by a panel that looked a lot like Masonite. Both the divider and platform were covered with vinyl. The platform had beading along the front edge. As an extra, the model number on the firewall tag was 1211B, where a 150 2dr sedan had a model number of 1211.

My first race car was a 1957 150 utility sedan is why I can tell you so much.

Jim Hanig · 11-07-2016, 10:55 AM

I know you got it stored away someplace?.

Dwight Southerland · 11-07-2016, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Hanig

I know you got it stored away someplace?.

I wish!!

55 Chevy · 11-07-2016, 11:34 AM

Few other things that need to be done.

1) Remove the passenger side sun visor. They only came with one.

2) Heater controls need to be changed to the re-circulating type.

3) I do not think any of them came with side chrome.

11-05-2016, 07:04 PM	#1
my69396 Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 285 Likes: 0 Liked 43 Times in 19 Posts	rear seat removal If the car doesn't have a roll bar can you take the back seat out? It is a 57 chevy and they made some business coupes with out a rear seat. just asking. Thanks jerry

11-05-2016, 07:20 PM	#2
Dwight Southerland VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Arkansas - In the middle of everything. Posts: 1,999 Likes: 63 Liked 772 Times in 192 Posts	Re: rear seat removal A real '57 business coupe has a jump seat (looks like a platform) in the back and has sealed in quarter windows that don't have roll mechanism. __________________

11-06-2016, 10:33 AM	#3
Woodfin Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Kilgore TX Posts: 520 Likes: 8 Liked 230 Times in 91 Posts	Re: rear seat removal a bit of trivia; From about 1947 - 1957 Chevy built a model called "business sedan" The market was traveling salesmen who stacked their sample wares on that rear platform. The platform was made of wood, was just tall enough to make the floor level over the driveshaft hump. The few factory originals I have seen were all pained black. In hind sight it seems a four door would have been more convenient but for what ever reason it was only done with two door models. Another example of a by gone era. [correction, business coupe or businessman's coupe, not sedan] Last edited by Woodfin; 11-06-2016 at 10:41 AM. Reason: mistake

11-06-2016, 11:45 AM	#4
mike britt Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Italy, Texas Posts: 174 Likes: 364 Liked 62 Times in 30 Posts	Re: rear seat removal The real answer is, according to the rule book, you have to cover the metal with carpet that match's the front carpet if you remove the rear seat.

11-06-2016, 03:12 PM	#5
TGould Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Beaufort,SC Posts: 145 Likes: 16 Liked 32 Times in 6 Posts	Re: rear seat removal Several years ago when the rule allowing all cars to move up or down a class was implemented, I requested a rule change that would allow cars without a roll bar, that are not allowed to move down a class (V/S six cylinders) ,to remove the back seat and carpet the area. My request was not approved.

11-06-2016, 08:00 PM	#6
HandOverFist VIP Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Gulf Breeze, FL Posts: 1,651 Likes: 8 Liked 33 Times in 16 Posts	Re: rear seat removal Short answer...No. __________________ Rich Taylor I/SA - 321

11-06-2016, 09:58 PM	#7
Dwight Southerland VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Arkansas - In the middle of everything. Posts: 1,999 Likes: 63 Liked 772 Times in 192 Posts	Re: rear seat removal If you want to make your car like a business coupe (also known as a utility sedan), do your homework. I'm not sure there are many tech people who know what a 1957 Chevy business coupe is supposed to be equipped like, but it would behoove you to make it as close to right as possible. The business coupe was a model of the 150 series, so the outside chrome would have to be correct. You can duplicate the platform in the back from plywood with just a little work. If you lock the rear quarter windows so they cannot move and take the roll mechanism and handles out, that will probably pass. The trunk divider was covered by a panel that looked a lot like Masonite. Both the divider and platform were covered with vinyl. The platform had beading along the front edge. As an extra, the model number on the firewall tag was 1211B, where a 150 2dr sedan had a model number of 1211. My first race car was a 1957 150 utility sedan is why I can tell you so much. __________________

11-07-2016, 10:55 AM	#8
Jim Hanig Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Pukwana SD Posts: 860 Likes: 554 Liked 99 Times in 49 Posts	Re: rear seat removal I know you got it stored away someplace?.

11-07-2016, 11:34 AM	#10
55 Chevy Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Calgary,Alberta area Posts: 227 Likes: 23 Liked 14 Times in 13 Posts	Re: rear seat removal Few other things that need to be done. 1) Remove the passenger side sun visor. They only came with one. 2) Heater controls need to be changed to the re-circulating type. 3) I do not think any of them came with side chrome.