Seats

GreatOldOne · #1 11th April 2009, 11:53

I'm getting to the point where I will need some seats in my Sportster - mainly for 'testing' purposes.

I've seen what some of the other Sportser owners have intalled - Patrick has genuine Cobra Roadster 7's, and Robin has gone from some recovered MX5 seats.

Has anyone used anything like this before?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/2-x-SEATS-FOR-...1%7C240%3A1318

I keep seeing them on eBay, and they look almost identical to the more pricey Cobras. I'm sure I've seen them at Stoneleigh as well.

Any good?

MartinClan · #2 11th April 2009, 19:45

From my investigations you have to be careful with some aftermarket seats - they are just upholstered glasfibre shells. Offer as much protection as an eggshell...

I would always go for a well known maker and if possible seats with a metal frame. Don't forget that for the IVA you also need headrests.

In my view traditionally styled seats with seperate headrests look best in a traditionally styled car. I guess a lot of people will disagree! Separate headrests means you can remove them and so also don't need a specially made tonneau.

All IMHO

Robin

PS the MX5 seats offer production car comfort - but they are a tight fit...

GreatOldOne · #3 12th April 2009, 13:20

How tight a fit?

And how do the harnesses go with them?

I've seen some MX5 seats on eBay, but they tend to go for silly money - and some that have already been recovered are ridiculously expensive.

I have to say I do like the look of the Roadster 7 seat. It seems to look fine in Patrick's car... Even better now I'm guessing with the swanky paint job.

This guy has a pair of the replicas, and states that they're tubular steel frame construction - never been used, and the postage is reasonable.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...%3DI%26otn%3D2

Hmmmmmm.

peterux · #4 12th April 2009, 21:47

Hi Jason,

they look like these.........

http://www.midlandwheels.com/Shop/P-...ed-Piping.html

but they don't look very well made, which is maybe why this guy is selling them?

Looks like you'll have to buy a fixing kit/runners as well so could work out a bit more expensive.

I'd have a look round Stoneliegh and sit in some seats before buying,

Peter

GreatOldOne · #5 12th April 2009, 22:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by peterux

I'd have a look round Stoneliegh and sit in some seats before buying,

Sounds like a plan... I'm supposed to be there to pick up a windscreen from Marlin, but at this rate I think I'll be picking up the entire body kit as I haven't heard back from Terry yet.

peterux · #6 13th April 2009, 10:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by GreatOldOne

Sounds like a plan... I'm supposed to be there to pick up a windscreen from Marlin, but at this rate I think I'll be picking up the entire body kit as I haven't heard back from Terry yet.

Oh how frustating!
"Marlin weeks" seem to be different to the Gregorian calendar

...but Stoneliegh is nearer to you anyway.........

Patrick · #7 13th April 2009, 21:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by GreatOldOne

I have to say I do like the look of the Roadster 7 seat. It seems to look fine in Patrick's car... Even better now I'm guessing with the swanky paint job.

yup, colour looks great in contrast with the blue

The other (I)SVA issue with the roadster 7's is that they don't come certified. Which means you need an additional harness holder bar behind them.

I had this problem with the SVA I failed due to not having a bar or paper work. I did talk to Cobra but they had not idea what I was on about so I had the bar welded in.

MartinClan · #8 14th April 2009, 12:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by GreatOldOne

How tight a fit?

Very - they fit OK at the rearmost posn but will only adjust forward about 10cm. The adjustable backrests make it easier to get to the "boot". A bit more hassle to fit than of the shelf kit car seats - but worth it IMHO.

I have the older seats with separate headrests.

Quote:

And how do the harnesses go with them?

OK - but I had to get the inside anchor straps lengthened by TRS (£10) as the adjuster fouled with the seat back hinge mechanism.

Quote:

I've seen some MX5 seats on eBay, but they tend to go for silly money - and some that have already been recovered are ridiculously expensive.

I paid about £100 for mine including the runners and then new leather covers were £275. But for that you get a seat that you can sit in with getting a numbbum, adjustable backrests and headrests. And, although they are a tight fit, they don't look out of place.

Robin

peterux · #9 29th September 2009, 21:48

I saw these for the first time today and thought they looked quite smart?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...=STRK:MEWAX:IT

Any observations or comments?

...peter

MartinClan · #10 30th September 2009, 07:43

They look good. The main question I would ask is do they have an internal steel frame.

Robin

Patrick · #11 30th September 2009, 08:07

hmm they look like a knock off version of these:

http://www.cobraseats.com/sidewinder.htm

peterux · #12 30th September 2009, 20:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by MartinClan

They look good. The main question I would ask is do they have an internal steel frame.

Robin

Good idea, i'll send him a question,
Now i'm off to the garage with a tape measure.........
thanks
Peter

Chris Cussen · #13 1st October 2009, 07:05

Just as a note the Cobra 7 seats in my Cabrio went through IVA. Only query was about the HEIGHT of the seatbelt slots. (1mm too low until I got the tester to re-do the test with a representative weight on either side of the template).

I have not got a bar, and the belts are mounted on the rearmost chassis rail. They are OMP full harness ones with inertia reel shoulder straps.

Looks like what gets tested and passed depends on the tester!

Patrick · #14 1st October 2009, 07:31

The 7's were a right pain on my SVA, the guy wouldn't pass them without paperwork that Cobra didn't have to say they would hold up in an accident, hence the need for a solid bar. Personally I prefer this and then I know if definitely strong!

Chris Cussen · #15 1st October 2009, 08:26

Hmmm. I'll think about a bar when I get a roll over hoop made up.

I know Marlin claim the windscreen frame on the Cabrio is strong enough to act as a roll over bar but if you draw a line from the top of the screen to the boot-lid there is an awful lot of head/upper torso intersected by the line.

Chris Cussen · #16 1st October 2009, 08:37

Hmmm. I'll think about a bar when I get a roll over hoop made up.

I know Marlin claim the windscreen frame on the Cabrio is strong enough to act as a roll over bar but if you draw a line from the top of the screen to the boot-lid there is an awful lot of head/upper torso intersected by the line.