COLINMFT Posted July 25, 2013 Report Share Posted July 25, 2013 Apart from the successful use of MX5 seats in the TR6, has any other make of sports car seat been tried? colinmft Quote Link to post Share on other sites
stuart Posted July 25, 2013 Report Share Posted July 25, 2013 As MX ones are readily available, very comfortable and a good fit I dont think anyone has bothered looking. Stuart. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
cj79 Posted July 25, 2013 Report Share Posted July 25, 2013 Yeah but MX5 seats don't look half as good as the originals IMHO, I have had the frames of mine dipped and coated ready for restoration (I'm using some eBay originals for the time being), i've asked a local specialist firm to create the look of the original seats in leather but expand the width, they are just too narrow for me, (and i'm small!) They seem to think it's not a problem, I just need to save up a grand or so over the summer. The seat base is fine, could do with a little more cushioning but that's not too hard (no pun intended), it's more that i'm used to the sports seats holding me either side in the BMW that I miss, from what they have said adding stiffening foam and making up a new fabric template around it is the way to go. I'll post the results! Cheers,Chris Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jemgee Posted July 25, 2013 Report Share Posted July 25, 2013 Don't Moss or Rimmer do special seats - Ridgard or something? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RobinTR6 Posted July 26, 2013 Report Share Posted July 26, 2013 I had the Ridguard seats in my Tr 5 , brilliant and look the part. Cat now owned by Tr Mitch on this forum, sure he has some pics. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Denis Posted July 26, 2013 Report Share Posted July 26, 2013 I like the vintage feel of the originals, 'seat of the pants' and all that ! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Andrew Smith Posted July 26, 2013 Report Share Posted July 26, 2013 (edited) I like the vintage feel of the originals, 'seat of the pants' and all that ! Agreed, but original seats recovered in leather improves the touring comfort immensely - we covered about 3,200 miles in France last year in 3 weeks, the longest journey was about 600 miles in a day (Dordogne - SoF) and we still felt fresh on arrival in the South. So, having considered MX5 seats (and Moss seats sit too high) I've decided to stick to what I have: Cheers Andrew Edited July 26, 2013 by Andrew Smith Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tom Boyd Posted July 26, 2013 Report Share Posted July 26, 2013 Ridgard seats. Best on the market, if you can cope with the wait Tom Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Percy TR6 Posted July 27, 2013 Report Share Posted July 27, 2013 I considered replacing my seats with Corbeau Recliners but decided to go for leather covered MX5 seats based on the number of others who rated them. I have to say I haven't been disappointed & think they look the part in the car. Steve Quote Link to post Share on other sites
brucer Posted July 27, 2013 Report Share Posted July 27, 2013 Hi, this is my first post, but I have been lurking and learning for a while. I have had my TR6 since May and it came with MX5 seats. I bought a set of seats off ebay because I suspected that the MX5 seats were sitting me too high in the car. My windscreen is tinted at the top and I found I was looking through the tinted section all the time, which was OK when the sun was shining but scary at night. So today I fitted the original seats (I think they are from a newer car, mine is 1971 and these seats have head rests) and found I was sitting much lower and looking through the correct part of the windscreen. I was amazed how different it made the car feel. Unfortunately the padding has almost all turned to dust so they are a bit uncomfortable. If you are 6 foot or more I would not recommend the MX5 seats they are just a bit high although they are very comfy. I am planning to get my "original TR" seats refurbished re-padded and covered in leather. Can anyone recommend someone to do this work? Andrewwho did your seats they look fantastic? Chears Bruce Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Andrew Smith Posted July 27, 2013 Report Share Posted July 27, 2013 Andrew who did your seats they look fantastic? Welcome to the forum Bruce - I'm afraid I'm unable to advise who did the seats as the PO had these recovered some years back and I don't have the details. However, this forum has a wealth of knowledge and I'm pretty sure someone will come along soon and recommend a trimmer in the Hertfordshire area. Cheers Andrew Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Clarkey Posted July 27, 2013 Report Share Posted July 27, 2013 Hi Bruce. Welcome to the fold fella I Have just fitted Mx5 seats in mine I am over 6 foot, (just) the brackets I used were from TR Trader and they do a bracket for taller drivers, I used to have Moss classics in mine, they aren't to bad but I cant believe the difference the mx's have made to the feel of the car Quote Link to post Share on other sites
AlanT Posted July 27, 2013 Report Share Posted July 27, 2013 There is a very helpful Youtube video of TR6 seat rebuilding. I rebuilt 4A seats recently, see the topic in the 4A forum, and based some of it on this video. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
stuart Posted July 28, 2013 Report Share Posted July 28, 2013 Im 6 4" and certainly wouldnt go back to original seats from MX ones. Brucer you may well find that you sit lower in the original seats because the lower foams have sunk. New foams unless carefully trimmed and fitted tend to mean that you sit on the seat rather than in it. Stuart. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
TR NIALL Posted July 28, 2013 Report Share Posted July 28, 2013 (edited) Get the MX5 seats as low as possible and as far back as possible and at 6ft+ you won't have a problem. On my Car the Base of the Seat sits on the Floor,yes no Carpet underneath(shock horror) When installing get the inner side of the Seat Base tight against the Gearbox Tunnel this will Centralise the Seats better to the Steering Wheel,also reduce the Steering Wheel size to 14". Don't add a Roll Bar as this will reduce the Recline Angle of the Seats. Edited July 28, 2013 by TR NIALL Quote Link to post Share on other sites
brucer Posted July 28, 2013 Report Share Posted July 28, 2013 (edited) Thanks for all the responses and sorry for hijacking Colin's topic. The mounts in my car raise the seats about 1-2 inches off the floor, so that could be my problem. Stuart yes I did think that the non existent padding may be the reason I was sitting much lower thanks for the suggestion. Clarkey thanks for the pointer to the tall driver mounts from TR Trader. It says that modification of the seat bucket may be required. Did you need to modify yours and if so what is involved.? Thanks again Bruce Edited July 28, 2013 by brucer Quote Link to post Share on other sites
TR NIALL Posted July 28, 2013 Report Share Posted July 28, 2013 (edited) If Adjustments are needed to underneath of the Seat a few taps of a Hammer will suffice,as I said above mount direct to the Floor =no Soggy Underlay or Carpet. Me 6ft and look at my Shoulder level to the Door in the Pic also no problem when looking through the Screen. Edited July 28, 2013 by TR NIALL Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Clarkey Posted July 28, 2013 Report Share Posted July 28, 2013 Hi Bruce As far as i'm aware they have not been modified, but all the work was done by Paul Bishop, he recovered and sorted out the runners too let me know if you want his number to have a chat with him, he sells on ebay as well Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Jersey Royal Posted July 28, 2013 Report Share Posted July 28, 2013 (edited) Get the MX5 seats as low as possible and as far back as possible and at 6ft+ you won't have a problem. On my Car the Base of the Seat sits on the Floor,yes no Carpet underneath(shock horror) When installing get the inner side of the Seat Base tight against the Gearbox Tunnel this will Centralise the Seats better to the Steering Wheel,also reduce the Steering Wheel size to 14". Don't add a Roll Bar as this will reduce the Recline Angle of the Seats. Niall, How close do you think your drivers seat is to being centralized to the steering wheel. Just checked mine and if i look forward from a center point on headrest to steering wheel i have to be may be 2 inches out. I though i had got it quite close to tunnel maybe i can move it a bit more. Cheers Guy Edited July 28, 2013 by Jersey Royal Quote Link to post Share on other sites
TR NIALL Posted July 28, 2013 Report Share Posted July 28, 2013 Guy and All, I'm Sitting Central to the Steering Wheel,i've just Measured and the Distance from the Inner Cill to the side of the Seat Runner is 120mm or in Old Money 4 3/4ins. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Jersey Royal Posted July 28, 2013 Report Share Posted July 28, 2013 Guy and All, I'm Sitting Central to the Steering Wheel,i've just Measured and the Distance from the Inner Cill to the side of the Seat Runner is 120mm or in Old Money 4 3/4ins. Niall, Thanks will check mine tomorrow. Measurement you took was face on inner cill (with carpet)? Cheers Guy Quote Link to post Share on other sites
TR NIALL Posted July 28, 2013 Report Share Posted July 28, 2013 Can't Afford Carpet Nude is Crude . Quote Link to post Share on other sites
TR NIALL Posted July 28, 2013 Report Share Posted July 28, 2013 (edited) That Measurement was taken at the Front, at the Rear 70mm from the inside of Door Apperture Angle to the Plastic Handle for the Recliner and yes the Seats sit Square. Edited July 28, 2013 by TR NIALL Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Jersey Royal Posted July 28, 2013 Report Share Posted July 28, 2013 (edited) Can't Afford Carpet Nude is Crude . nude is fine by me Cheers Guy Merci Buckets Edited July 28, 2013 by Jersey Royal Quote Link to post Share on other sites
johnmac Posted July 29, 2013 Report Share Posted July 29, 2013 Hello All, haven't been on the forum for ages but just for your information regarding alternative seats, it was me some time ago that posted having MGF seats in my TR6. The pictures I attached at that time disappeared for some reason but if anyone is interested I could find them/take some more.(they are not on this computer to attach right now unfotunately) I admit that they are a bit of a sqeeze in their width, I found it best to remove the hardboard tunnel shaper for the handbrake cable carpet and install them left for right to allow the recliner adjustment wheel room to operate. This does not look nearly as bad as it sounds! There may be a better way by replacing the wheel with a lever perhaps. I am still very pleased with them after more than 9 years. They are all leather with period diamond type finish, being fairly square of shape they match the TR6 very well, many people have assumed they were original. I find them very comfortable. I was able to pick them up from a right-off for £100 the pair. Simply had to cut off the rather strange MGF subframe and bolt them to a simple bracket which my previous Corbeaus were attached to. (they were very similar to the MX 5 seats but died a death) Working away for the week but will post pics at the weekend if anyone is interested. Cheers, John Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.