TVR S1 seat swaps - what fits?

[william weir]

joe has any one got back to you about those seats if no one else has shown intreste i mite be intrested in fitting into a chim cant work out how to find your email cheers willie

[Stwdv]

Hi all, what do you guys think of these ?
Mk1 MX5 recovered by an ex TVR upholsterer.

[v8s4me]

william weir said:

joe has any one got back to you about those seats...

Sorry Willie, too late I'm afraid. I robbed the foams to repair the Tasmin seats and the frames went to the tip.

[RayTVR]

Re Ambla seats, (sorry to be late)

Mine is the only later car I've seen that has the complete interior in Ambla,

It's worn much better than Leather, but may still be a bit hot and sticky in the sun.

[carsinthesun]

Hi STWY,

Yes they look just the job, but what material are they covered with.

[v8s4me]

I may have a couple of MX5 driver's seats available next month if any one is interested. Depends on whether 'Plan A' works or not. PM me if you might be interested and I'll let you know when I know.

[Stwdv]

carsinthesun said:

Hi STWY,

Yes they look just the job, but what material are they covered with.

It is leather

[v8s4me]

I've just finished prepping a pair of MX5 seats for fitting to the Tasmin. After straightening out the mounting points, and removing the locating pins on the Mazda runners, the seats pretty much drop straight in. The Tasmin mounting points are identical to the 'S', and of course the 'S' has a flat floor compared to the 'ribs' in the Tasmin, so fitting the MX5 seats to the 'S' should be a doddle.



If anyone is considering this mod, you'll find it very easy. And, as it happens, I now have a spare pair I need to move on

[Fefeu52]

Really interesting subject. Genuine seats are not extraordinary and age poorly. My driver seat diaphragm is completely destroyed and foams are in very bad conditions. So I bought an Alfa Romeo 147 leather interior this week for ... £60. After some hours of work, big modifications of the seat sub-frame :



But finally, It looks fine





I just have to finish my weldment, little painting to protect and finally cleaning seats.

[GreenV8S]

They match your interior remarkably well. Are they much bigger than the originals?

[magpies]

Fefeu52 said:

Really interesting subject. Genuine seats are not extraordinary and age poorly. My driver seat diaphragm is completely destroyed and foams are in very bad conditions. So I bought an Alfa Romeo 147 leather interior this week for ... £60. After some hours of work, big modifications of the seat sub-frame :



But finally, It looks fine





I just have to finish my weldment, little painting to protect and finally cleaning seats.

Well done

they look good

[Fefeu52]

GreenV8S said:

They match your interior remarkably well. Are they much bigger than the originals?

Yes, they are bigger. the seat back is only 1cm wider than the original (49cm VS 48cm). The bottom is really wider (52cm vs 45cm), but that's why the seat is much .... incredibely more comfortable! In fact the main problem is that the back is much taller (62cm Vs 55cm) and the bottom is also thicker. That's why I had to work on the subframe to sink the seat the lowest possible. They are not heavier

[GreenV8S]

Those pictures really show the difference well, and reinforce how inadequate the original seats are. Excellent upgrade!

[Fefeu52]

From my point of view, the best looking alternative is the Chimaera seats, but not sure they are more comfortable and stronger than originals. Cerbera ones are brilliants but impossible to find in bargain in France. The MX-5 NA seats (with separated headrest) are a good looking and easy alternative. Sure they are strong, as all parts of this lovely car. But in France, the MX-5 is now in fashion. it's hard to find cheap parts. In good conditions, the bargain price is at least £350. Sure that MR2 seats will fit, but I don't like the headrest shape. There is not any easy, cheap and beautiful solution....

[indigochim]

Fefeu52 said:

Really interesting subject. Genuine seats are not extraordinary and age poorly. My driver seat diaphragm is completely destroyed and foams are in very bad conditions. So I bought an Alfa Romeo 147 leather interior this week for ... £60. After some hours of work, big modifications of the seat sub-frame :

Great job, I have those Momo seats in my 147 and they're incredibly comfortable, one of the reasons I've kept the car for 12 years. I'll have to see if they fit in the Chimaera. I'd be interested in any more info you have on modifying the runners to fit.

[chiefyo]

[quote=Fefeu52]From my point of view, the best looking alternative is the Chimaera seats, but not sure they are more comfortable and stronger than originals. Cerbera ones are brilliants but impossible to find in bargain in France. The MX-5 NA seats (with separated headrest) are a good looking and easy alternative. Sure they are strong, as all parts of this lovely car. But in France, the MX-5 is now in fashion. it's hard to find cheap parts. In good conditions, the bargain price is at least £350. Sure that MR2 seats will fit, but I don't like the headrest shape. There is not any easy, cheap and beautiful solution....

Underneath S and Chimera seats are the same. https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

[phazed]

Elise seats look so much better if reupholstered in the correct colours.

Fitted to my chim. Narrow and super light.

[phillpot]

phazed said:

Elise seats look so much better

Guess everything is a matter of opinion

[Fefeu52]

phillpot said:

Guess everything is a matter of opinion

I agree with the comment. I don't find the sporty style of the Elyse seats is adapted to the vintage style of the S or the round style of the Chimaera. And reupholstering is not a cheap intervention.

[Bercilac]

If anyone wants a pair of S seats, beige Ambla with red piping they are going free to a good home - Cheshire.
They are in need of recovering and new springs, but frames OK and complete.