Now I HAVE TO get bucket seats, shifter won't work on bench seat

Never used a pro stick, never liked the idea of the lever, remembering when to use it, and for what shift.
Dont you have to grab and pull that lever for the 2-3 shift? It looks like it's a foot away from your (supercool) knobber.
Haven't really sorted it out, bought a kit to convert to reverse pattern. I'll tear it down and rebuild it with the reverse plate, then I'll know.