New seats perhaps
Discussion
So, as I was warned by the prior owner/builder, having just returned from a short tour from San Francisco to Monterey (for the Concourso Italiano and other events) and back and realized that the Ultima GTR seats require either re-upholstering or replacement. Although I am investigating repairing/re-padding, I am principally considering a pair of carbon fiber seats as replacements. I remember sitting in one type of them and they were perfectly comfortable without padding. And the light weight adds a bit of un-needed value to the car.
So I was wondering if anyone has recommendations for a brand/model of CF seat, in particularly for a GTR. I understand that Tilton has a B4 model that appears to be proven to fit, but are there others? Either in Tilton catalog or another brand? Perhaps the seats made by Reverie?
And of course, if there are any used CF seats for sale, I'd surely consider that option instead.
Any help would be appreciated.
Many thx,
V
So I was wondering if anyone has recommendations for a brand/model of CF seat, in particularly for a GTR. I understand that Tilton has a B4 model that appears to be proven to fit, but are there others? Either in Tilton catalog or another brand? Perhaps the seats made by Reverie?
And of course, if there are any used CF seats for sale, I'd surely consider that option instead.
Any help would be appreciated.
Many thx,
V
Tillet is the name you are after. I am looking to fit some as well. The B4 is at a steeper angle than the std Ultima seat I think. It is however the one that I think I will fit as I have short leg/long body and could do with a bit more headroom in my Canam which does not have a lowered floor. I am hoping to visit them and try out various models before making a decision.
You have headroom problems in the CanAm?
My impression is that the B4 (in reading their catalog) is the more vertical seat compared to others. I tend to like sitting reclined however so I suspect that the B4 will be fine. The fact that the other seats seem to be even more reclined implies that the B4 will be OK. Here in CA, I don't know of any dealer that would enable me to test-sit them so it is a bit worrisome - to purchase two of them without a 'test sit'.
If anyone out there is 5'10" and 155lb (sorry, no translation to meters and stones) or thereabout and has some B4's, I'd like to hear from you.
Ideally, I'd like to find a larger (read wider) seat for the passenger side so there would be no limitation for potential passengers who may be a bit, um, larger, that would be nice.
V
My impression is that the B4 (in reading their catalog) is the more vertical seat compared to others. I tend to like sitting reclined however so I suspect that the B4 will be fine. The fact that the other seats seem to be even more reclined implies that the B4 will be OK. Here in CA, I don't know of any dealer that would enable me to test-sit them so it is a bit worrisome - to purchase two of them without a 'test sit'.
If anyone out there is 5'10" and 155lb (sorry, no translation to meters and stones) or thereabout and has some B4's, I'd like to hear from you.
Ideally, I'd like to find a larger (read wider) seat for the passenger side so there would be no limitation for potential passengers who may be a bit, um, larger, that would be nice.
V
MarkWebb said:
Tillet is the name you are after. I am looking to fit some as well. The B4 is at a steeper angle than the std Ultima seat I think. It is however the one that I think I will fit as I have short leg/long body and could do with a bit more headroom in my Canam which does not have a lowered floor. I am hoping to visit them and try out various models before making a decision.
Hi,
Been clearing out my garage this weekend and have quite a few Ultima item to advertise including 2 carbon fibre seats that were designed for an Ultima. They have be upholstered to a very high standard in black alcontara with adjustable lumber supports.
They light, very strong and are narrower than standard seats to give better lateral support. If your hips are wider than around 33cms, they will be too tight.
I also have a Reverie carbon twin skinned seat with a cushion set that also fits nicely into a Ultima.
All in very good condition.
Please email me if you are interested.
Martin.
Been clearing out my garage this weekend and have quite a few Ultima item to advertise including 2 carbon fibre seats that were designed for an Ultima. They have be upholstered to a very high standard in black alcontara with adjustable lumber supports.
They light, very strong and are narrower than standard seats to give better lateral support. If your hips are wider than around 33cms, they will be too tight.
I also have a Reverie carbon twin skinned seat with a cushion set that also fits nicely into a Ultima.
All in very good condition.
Please email me if you are interested.
Martin.
I am just over 6'1' and very long in the torso. I fit nicley in the GTR with the stock seats the droped floor and the seats mounted without adjusters. The few aftermarket seats that I have tried in the car are to verticle and my head is into the ceiling. So what I am saying is take a hard look at the rake on he seat if you are a taller person because not a big change there and you will not like the fit. Lee
As part of my interior renovation, I just had the stock seats reupholstered. I never liked the extra side height as it interfered with my elbows, so they were cut off as part of the job. Turns out they added a bit too much foam, as I am sitting to high for a comfortable fit under the dash, so they are going to remove some thickness off the bottom. They are black leather, alcantara insert, and yellow piping. 
Do you know much about the B6 (I think) and/or the model that is designed to fit the Lotus? It seems to have shallow lower side bolsters which would be a good passenger-side seat in that it would fit more/different um, shapes. Having mismatched seats might look odd but would be helpful for flexibility.
MarkWebb said:
Tillet is the name you are after. I am looking to fit some as well. The B4 is at a steeper angle than the std Ultima seat I think. It is however the one that I think I will fit as I have short leg/long body and could do with a bit more headroom in my Canam which does not have a lowered floor. I am hoping to visit them and try out various models before making a decision.
Quite beautiful. Very nice job. And cutting the side-bolsters is a good idea as they conflict with my elbows as well. Thanks for the pic as it provides something to show the upholsterer.
V
V
DavidSalama said:
As part of my interior renovation, I just had the stock seats reupholstered. I never liked the extra side height as it interfered with my elbows, so they were cut off as part of the job. Turns out they added a bit too much foam, as I am sitting to high for a comfortable fit under the dash, so they are going to remove some thickness off the bottom. They are black leather, alcantara insert, and yellow piping.
Ahh, the roll bar. I wasn't thinking clearly. Thought it was the faux roof.
Re the upright/reclined statement, there is some internal consistency. THe upright statement was with respect to other Tilton seats. Not compared to the OEM seat. That it is more reclined than the OEM seat is a good thing - for me (I suspect).
BTW, I'm 5'10" so I have a bit of headroom with the stock seats - though I haven't tracked the car yet and thus haven't tried it on with my helmet (but I will tonight). Regardless, a bit more reclining can only help.
Re the upright/reclined statement, there is some internal consistency. THe upright statement was with respect to other Tilton seats. Not compared to the OEM seat. That it is more reclined than the OEM seat is a good thing - for me (I suspect).
BTW, I'm 5'10" so I have a bit of headroom with the stock seats - though I haven't tracked the car yet and thus haven't tried it on with my helmet (but I will tonight). Regardless, a bit more reclining can only help.
MarkWebb said:
Yes the top of my helmet is 2 inches above the roll bar!!! I am only 5 10. Car does not have lowered floor. You seem to contradict yourself by saying that the B4 is more upright and then you say you like a reclined position??
Edited by Verde on Tuesday 21st August 04:14
Those re-upholstered seats (photos) look just great. And yes, my elbow's hit that part of the side structure as well. If I go the path of updating the seats, I think I'll borrow your idea. I'd also like the center section of the bottom and back rest to be Alcantara while the side sections remain leather. I've wanted to get an Alcantara wheel and shift knob on the Ultima - as I've done on another car I drive daily. I really love the feel of the stuff.
There's also a spot on the middle part of the side bolster close to the centerline that I use to get in and out and was going to have that reinforced as well.
Finally, can anyone tell me how these (or any) seats are supposed to fit? The lower area (waist and hips) have some room to move around, though the upper section is a tighter fit and so I'm generally held in place. Are all parts supposed to be a snug fit? i.e. should I have the lower bolsters built up for a tighter fit?
V
There's also a spot on the middle part of the side bolster close to the centerline that I use to get in and out and was going to have that reinforced as well.
Finally, can anyone tell me how these (or any) seats are supposed to fit? The lower area (waist and hips) have some room to move around, though the upper section is a tighter fit and so I'm generally held in place. Are all parts supposed to be a snug fit? i.e. should I have the lower bolsters built up for a tighter fit?
V
Thanks for the kind comments guys. I am sure if you also reupholster the existing seats, you will need to test fit with the foam on the seats to get a comfortable level of support without limitation of your leg movement for effective use the pedals. We had to remove some foam from my driver's seat to lower myself to a comfortable level under the steering wheel, for example. Also, my fabricator had to reinforce the side fiberglass of the existing seat when the side pieces were trimmed to maintain its strength. Here is a screen shot of the interior almost completed. I will get better pics soon.
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