own design seats...A step too far?!

[Davi]

For one reason or another I've been considering adding another seat into my car design, and going for centre driving style.

Problem there is the seat choice. Having spoken to Tribbles about his Aeon (which I'm going to pop over to get a closer peek at soon as it's back) and consequently sat in an example seat, I'm not sure. Obvious inspiration point for taking the idea any further is the McF1... which looks all spanky and wonderful - like this:



So I'm thinking of a single moulding that will form the back seats and be part of the cabin structure, with a carbon bucket for the front, all with foam block padding. Advantages are I could make the rake and shape any style so I could get us all in there without compromising height of the vehicle (cheers tribbs )

Am I nuts?

Anyone made their own seat and got any pointers?!

Edited by Davi on Tuesday 21st August 11:40

[vojx]

Davi said:

Am I nuts?

No. I have two kids, and so a 3-seater would be ideal. a stratos cabin doesnt have the room, so i cant do it. can you live with 2 back seat drivers looking over your shoulders? is the extra weight and cabin size (ie overall size, moving the engine further from the COG) worth it?

with regards the seats, make sure they are strong, and give lateral support or else the back seats could get a little noisy/messy.

[tribbles]

Using a single mould for the back two seats sounds like a grand idea (I presume it'll effectively be the rear bulkhead too) - although that's a bit more that needs to be right (doesn't need to be perfect, as the foam would hide some slight irregularities).

btw, found out about DXF export; will have a go tonight.

No, you're not mad

[Davi]

good good, glad I'm not totally bonkers then!

yes the rear seat shells would effectively form the bulkhead, cutting out more panelling etc - also mean I could shape runs in for the gear linkages etc which is one of my pet hates with kits - poor tunnels that have to be compromised for seat choices.

Nice one on the DXF's tribbles, look forward to those

[andygtt]

OK I've been down the 3 seater ideal loads of times with my project as its so wide it would actually be roomy in there with 3.... but I keep comming back to 3issues.
1. the passengers would be behind me slightly.... I want a GT car and so comfortable conversation is a requirement on long journeys.
2. The cost of making the 2 bespoke seats.
3. It won't be that easy to get in..... I hated the clambering about in my Ultima to get in and out and I wanted to be able to do it gracefully in the GTT.


Other than these issues I really, really fancied the idea. In fact I've found myself making sure that the car can be made as a 3 seater so its an option for later.

[tribbles]

If you have a roof, then 3 seats would be more difficult to get into - which is why I don't have a roof on my Aeon.

And I've lost count of the number of people who have asked me "What happens if it rains?"...

[Davi]

andygtt said:

1. the passengers would be behind me slightly.... I want a GT car and so comfortable conversation is a requirement on long journeys.
....3. It won't be that easy to get in..... I hated the clambering about in my Ultima to get in and out and I wanted to be able to do it gracefully in the GTT.

No. 1 had put me off the idea originally, then I realised it would be more appropriate when I called the wife a back seat driver seriously though that is still the only sticking point. The missus and I enjoy going for jaunts and tend to have a good laugh, not sure how much more difficult that would be with her set back a foot or two. Might try and get Flemke's attention and ask him about his experiences.

As to getting in and out - agree that is a bit of an issue. I don't think it'll be as bad as the Ultima as the sills are no where near as thick, so you haven't got that clamber over those. I'm planning to use doors that has the hingeline on the windscreen edge, with the majority of the roof being hinged up with them. Not sure how much easier that'll make it!