Looking to trade seats

[Donnie]

Have pair of very nice beige leather Caterham seats that are too large for my Seven. Will trade for smaller black pair. Max width is 17".

 

Seats are now for sale. $500 

Edited November 28, 2024 by Donnie

[MV8]

Traditional seats (two squabs and a back rest panel) offer the most room but no head rest or adjustability. There are like boat seats with a wood or chip board base, high density foam (at least 5#, 2 inch bottom, one inch back) and marine vinyl wrapped and stapled on the hidden side with velcro strips like an airliner seat cushion. A local upholstery shop could handle that.

[IamScotticus]

Failing all else, 

https://www.cobraseats.com/seats.html?pid=20&cid=2

 

[anduril3019]

I've always wondered if Porsche 914 or Lotus Europa seats would work. They both have a one-piece shell with head-rest, and are relatively narrow and compact overall.

 

Just a thought.

[Donnie]

Have decided to go the traditional route and build my own bench seats. Caterham seats are now for sale outright. Will post some photos shortly. Any interest out there?

[wdb]

Yes there is interest but. Why are Caterham seats too wide for your car?

[Donnie]

Too large for my replica 7

Edited November 27, 2024 by Donnie

[Donnie]

Now for sale. Make offer.

[MV8]

Here is an example of what a good upholstery shop can do:

[Donnie]

Very nice but bench seats are in order.

[JohnCh]

@Donnie, I suspect you may have SV seats which are a little wider than the S3 seats.  It might be helpful to post some width measurements and hopefully someone with those seats in either an S3 or SV can confirm which you are selling.  

[Donnie]

@JohnCh

Good point. The seats are 17" wide mm. Thanks

 

[Donnie]

The only flaw is a small cut on the lower  inside edge of one seat. Approx. 1/2 inch

Edited November 27, 2024 by Donnie
Add pic

[MV8]

23 hours ago, Donnie said:

Very nice but bench seats are in order.

It looks like buckets but it is actually a one-piece bench. Just an idea on how creative it can be. Original type CAT bench upholstery kit is also available. There is a link on this site somewhere if interested. Then your local shop just needs to make the backing and cut the foam.

 

 

[Donnie]

Thanks but not interested.

[IamScotticus]

I get it.  The minimal approach suits the car, and often the driver.  I too am inclined to run the old squabs as well.  The old BDR seats, while a nice upgrade in the 80s,  seem rather overstuffed and ride high.  As well as the extra 44 lbs they add.

The problem with building squabs for others,  squabs that fit within the frame tubes,  is the high chance of a non-fit due to chassis variations.  

If cutting a squab base to fit on top of the tubes, they can be more universal, but one gives up an inch vertically and a method for movement prevention will be necessary. Velcro to the rescue!

There are some advanced foam options available that can be layered to build an excellent squab.

Squabs are so much easier to remove than bolted buckets when there is work to be done in the cockpit.

For those of stature less than 6', the squabs can be a challenge, in a long cockpit and with the pedals set back.  For them, and I am one, they will find the adjustable bucket to be the shortest path to a drivable 7.  The head rests are included, and they make a 7 more tolerable for longer drives.  I think I can build a bench set thicker to space me forward enough.

Edited November 30, 2024 by IamScotticus

[MV8]

Tim, here is one way to independent adjust ability with a bench.

[Donnie]

I have built the seats. Shopping foe foam and vinyl today. Thanks for all the input.

[IamScotticus]

My squab back wood panel has warped with age, and tension from shrinking vinyl.

Needs replacing, which I could probably do myself. I just hope the foam isn't glued to the board.  

Does anyone know?

[7Westfield]

35 minutes ago, IamScotticus said:

My squab back wood panel has warped with age, and tension from shrinking vinyl.

Needs replacing, which I could probably do myself. I just hope the foam isn't glued to the board.  

Does anyone know?

The foam is probably pretty tired, anyway, so who cares....

I'm thinking of doing mine, looking for some stiffer foam than original