Can anyone tell me about this feature (other than it’s gimmicky 
)?
Was it a stand alone option or in a convenience group package?
I am particularly interested in the 1973 model year.
It started in the middle of the 1970 model year. In 1970 the buck tag would have SBR meaning Seat Back Release. I am not sure what triggered that option for 1971-73. Probably convenience group of some kind like you suggest.
It was as stand alone option. I believe it cost $25.90
My understanding (I’ve been told, but never seen one in action) is that when you unlocked the door it would flip up the seat latch for your convenience.
AlphaCat has it. It activates when you open the door. The SBR option required a three-prong A-pillar door switch. Yeah, funky. Try to find that these days…
Check this out, not to hard. http://www.npdlink.com/store/index.php?p=catalog&mode=search2&search_in=id&search_str=13713-4
It was actually a solenoid mounted in the seat that simply released the seat back release so that you didn’t have to reach down to the bottom of the seat back to do so. You could typically hear a “click” every time you opened the door if it was working properly.
And cougrrcj – I know what you mean about those three-pronged switches. My '73 Marquis Brougham has one on the driver’s door (not sure why), and it was a bugger to replace when it went out.