why do they make diffrant headrest bend no bend will interchange with tops

The straight bar headrests are early 69 production, reportedly into Nov 68. The change to curved bar happened at that time, and from what I reacll it was to comply with Federal safety standards. They both fit the same, as the angle is at the top where the headrest attaches. It really just depends on what is "correct" for your car.

Eric, you are correct about the change, but you cannot fit the curved bar into straight bar seats, the plastic bases are different. Not sure about visa-versa.

my question are the seats diffrent they both go in one looks bent forward one looks strait in seat

Seats are the same, headrests are what different. Like the guys say, one of them has a curve in the bar and the other is straight.

Eric, you are correct about the change, but you cannot fit the curved bar into straight bar seats, the plastic bases are different. Not sure about visa-versa.

Kevin, I am not sure if I agree with your statement. My car has the original interior straight bar seats (11B). Back in the 80's I grabbed another set of white seats for the covers and they had curved bar headrests. I took those curved headrests and they fit fine in my straignt bar seats. I have never heard that you couldnt interchange headrest between seats. The curve in the metal bar doesnt occur until the top and would not seem to affect the part of the bar where it slips into the seat.

12A here, curve bend, from what I can see, the straight will fit . All I can see is the angle differance. Had my car since new, head rests are orginal but hard. Never paid any attention to the flat bar design. There was a 10 year period when I sold my car to someone and I dont know if they would have changed anything before I bought it back.

i notice the strait bar is dated 10 68 curved is 8 69 but the curved looks tilted forward is that for a safty regulation latter years

Kevin, I am not sure if I agree with your statement. My car has the original interior straight bar seats (11B). Back in the 80's I grabbed another set of white seats for the covers and they had curved bar headrests. I took those curved headrests and they fit fine in my straignt bar seats. I have never heard that you couldnt interchange headrest between seats. The curve in the metal bar doesnt occur until the top and would not seem to affect the part of the bar where it slips into the seat.

Mike, I do realize nothing with 1st gens is set in stone, but I tried curved ones on my straight Oct 68 seats. The bar hit the chromed plastic cover before it reached the bottom. I guess I should have said it will fit but does not go all the way down if you have the earlier escouchion (sp) plate.

Mike, I do realize nothing with 1st gens is set in stone, but I tried curved ones on my straight Oct 68 seats. The bar hit the chromed plastic cover before it reached the bottom. I guess I should have said it will fit but does not go all the way down if you have the earlier escouchion (sp) plate.

Wonder if the plastic escutcheon is on backwards? Differant year models, taper or square entry? One fits all?

Ricks catalog only shows one escutcheon for 69, but it shows both headrests. I know that's not definitive, but I never knew there was a difference