Replacement drivers seat/new carpets

[pjac67]

Just bought a '94 500 which needs a bit of TLC:
- drivers seat collapsed at bottom (springs corroded) - new seat or repair?;
- may need new carpets (wear damage in a couple of areas) or does anyone know of good upholsterer to repair? (I'm N Bristol).
Many thanks, Paul.

[precat]

Hi
I have replaced the original seats in my Griffith with late TVR seats as fitted to the Cerbera & Tuscan. It was straight forward. Four nuts and bolts plus some time. The replacement seats fitted in the same holes in the car floor as the original seats.
I would recommend seats from a Cerbera or Tuscan as these give more support which help one to explore the performance and handle abilities of the car. I also find them more comfortable than the old originals. This make sense to me when one considers the originals were designed over thirteen years ago, maybe longer as they seem similar to those used in the S series. The last 100 Griffiths produced had Cerbera seats fitted as standard from the factory.
Hope this helps.

[griffter]

pjac67 said:

Just bought a '94 500 which needs a bit of TLC: - drivers seat collapsed at bottom (springs corroded) - new seat or repair?; - may need new carpets (wear damage in a couple of areas) or does anyone know of good upholsterer to repair? (I'm N Bristol). Many thanks, Paul.

Corrosion of the seat springs is common. There's a great thread on the Chim forum somewhere about removing the old springs with needle-nose pliers and replacing them with garden wire. The advantage of garden wire is that:

a) it's pliable
b) it's strong
c) it's coated in green plastic and so won't rust

I did this to my driver's seat and the difference is superb. No longer do I sit on the floor! I also took the opportunity to insert a squab-sized piece of camping mat under the seat cover to bolster the cushioning.

Basically you need to remove the seat, turn it upside down and remove all the original springs. Then starting at one corner of the seat, secure the garden wire to the original spring rail and thread it in a zig-zag fashion between the spring rails under the cushion in place of the original springs. It is imperative that the wire is tight, or the squab will sag. Fortunately garden wire is sufficiently pliable that you can pull it taught (a bit like a shoelace) before tying it off at the diaginally opposite corner to where you started. It would be possible to use a seperate section of wire in place of each spring, but this would be pretty tedious - imagine lacing up your shoes with a seperate short lace for each pair of holes; I ran a single length in a zig-zag as described for each of the rear and front sections of the cushion.

Here's that thread - unfortunately the picture's gone, which was the whole point...

www.pistonheads.co.uk/gassing/topic.asp?t=137045&f=8&h=0&hw=garden+wire+seat

For trimming try Krych. Expensive, but reputedly very good.

www.krychtrimming.co.uk/

>> Edited by griffter on Friday 26th August 12:36

[stringbag]

Hi Paul.
If you can't be bothered with the mending option above, give Bell Hill garage a ring - they are a TVR breaker in Bath, so not so far away from you. They might have a seat in good condition, or a pair of Cerb ones. They may also know about carpets.
I don't know a trimmer around here, but you could also try Webbs (tvrbodyshop.co.uk) in Nailsea - they mend broken Tivs all the time and must use someone local.
Post some pics when you are done.
Karl

[pjac67]

Many thanks for the replies - I may try the DIY option first (nothing to lose I guess) before considering Tuscan upgrade (can the leather be matched for age?).
Will probably go for partial carpet retrim - pick up car next week-end! Can't wait (4 yrs+ since my last Griff!).

[David H]

Also remember that the Cerb/Tusc seats are a couple of inches higher.

Just something to have in mind if you are 6 foot+