Anyone using aftermarket seats?

[GavinT]

I will probably “wing” it …thought a drawing would be helpful

I have this stolen pic from my hoard.
I don't know if the dimensions are valid but it might be possible to check against yours.
It's for an S2 and I also don't know all the differences compared to a TCS seat - probably the recline angle and the seat cushion 'webbing' on the later cars?

[FourLoti]

Random eBay search turned up these https://www.ebay.com/itm/402259486316?itmmeta=01HXEXAGREHPJ1Z7CJEF9K5BQF&hash=item5da888a66c:g:7SIAAOSwhjNeuftl

Has other styles as well: https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_dkr=1&iconV2Request=true&_blrs=recall_filtering&_ssn=jdmwerks13&store_cat=0&store_name=jdmwerks13&_oac=1&_nkw=seats


Need to pay shipping from CA, but the quotes are not too bad.

Ron

[berni29]

Hi

That Intrim GT40 seat looks really quite good!

https://intatrim.co.uk/products/gt-40/#

All the best

Berni

[Clifton]

To do again, I would buy the GT40's they have. I spent so much time fixing rust, weld edges back on, replacing bad foam and then the cost of vinyl and time to put in on wasn't worth the effort.

[berni29]

Hi

I think these retrimmed seats look really great. Does this look like leather or vinyl, anyone know? If I find a good and reasonably priced trimmer in the UK I shall have mine done in this style. I also like the headrest treatment. The headrest area on the original seats always seem to look like a bit of an afterthought to me. Pictures and link to car below.

https://www.carandclassic.com/auctions/1972-lotus-europa-twin-cam-8xaweg#&gid=1&pid=34

Berni

[BDA]

That's a very nice TC!

I don't think you can tell whether the seats are vinyl or leather. Since they don't say leather in the description, I'd assume they are vinyl.

[Cheguava]

I'd say they were vinyl, looking closely. Not quite the same, but very similar to these - no connection but the guy still seems to be doing upholstery, UK based.

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?id=100057388190889&story_fbid=2562754893751352

Apologies to Turbofource for the thread drift 

[berni29]

Hi Chguava

Thank you for the link. Funnily enough I had messaged him about them a month or so ago, but you jogged my memory so I gave him a call. He's quite heavily booked up and also having a medical procedure soon, and will be out for a couple of months before getting back to his diary. His work is bespoke so he's the right man if you want any modifications done also.

So I will stay in touch with him and investigate other options.

Tks again

Berni

[kram350kram]

I used these, came with the slides. Had to raise the fronts about 2” to get the correct lean . The stock bobbins are too wide so made new. Cut down the seat pad so I would fit better, I’m 6’ tall. I can send pictures if you want.

 https://www.retroseats.com/products/retro-classic-vintage-racing-bucket-seats-pvc-microsuede-inserts-with-sliders-pair

[RonPNW]

Heads up, measure very carefully.

So I bought new seats in the 90's and the project stalled. Now restarted.

I decided to go with new seats to get some control of the rake (my back does not like the stock rake) and to allow easy access to storage behind the seat. Pluss the originals needed a rebuild. I wanted a comfortable (non race) seat. I carefully measured and the seats fit in the car great but .....

I did not account for some of the details of the Lotus seat design and the cushioning. The Lotus seat uses 2" cushion. Typical practice is 3 to 4" with spring suspension. The Lotus bottom is a recessed pan that effectively puts the bottom cushion on the floor, nearly at the same level of the bottom of the sliders.

So while the seat fits I lost about 2" of vertical and 2" of horizontal seating space. I've taken the springs out of the seat bottom and regained about an inch, I may drive for a while and see if the new foam compresses another inch. If not I'll replace with a thinner piece. This actually feels better, making the seat bucket deeper. For length, I plan to cut into the slanted wall behind the seat (leaving a 1" fiber glass cross beam at floor level) to allow the seat to roll back another inch. I think that will get back to the comfortable situation I had before (I'm 5'8" and 170lb).

Sadly I can not recall the seat vendor.

Ron

[Kendo]

In my original driver seat, I cut the bottom cushion in half horizontal-wise to get enough room for my 6'3" head. That worked. The newly recovered seats haven't been installed yet. So I don't know if the upholsterer noticed and made thin seat cushions.

[tonylotus47]

Have you considered a bead seat? If you don't need the front to rear adjustment, just make your own.  Then cover with the material provided.  I have made my own seats in every race car I have had except my Ligier which had a great seat and adjustable forward and backward pedals.

[BDA]

In my original driver seat, I cut the bottom cushion in half horizontal-wise to get enough room for my 6'3" head.

I’m not quite as tall as you are (probably 6’ 1” but I used to be 6’ 2”  ). I  considered lowering the floor in toward the rear but I thought the firewall would need some adjustment which would also entail modifying the seat/shoulder belt braces so instead, I put a bubble in the roof.

I think your solution is better though because it lowers your head so your visibility is probably a bit better.