Front Seats

[Swifty75]

Hi All

I have a mk1 with good original seats. I am doing the RBRR and think I should fit something with headrests. I’ve done the RBRR before in my Vitesse, and fitted mgf seats. You really need a headrest not just for safety but it helps with sleeping. I will probably revert back to my mk1 seats after the event.

what seats have people fitted? I was looking at some Audi TT ones maybe. Would want them to tilt to give access to the rear.

Thanks in advance for any help.

Neil

[ramjam2005]

Hi Neil

There has been quite a few threads on here about alternative seats which have been fitted successfully (or not). I've searched / followed many with interest as I'm still debating whether to stay original in my resto or install something a little more modern (weighing up refurb costs of originals in leather and the look being the main factors for me).

I'm sure someone here will soon reply that have actually attempted this themselves.

I purchased a pair of Rover 220 Turbo (Tomcat) front seats in leather but have them put to one side as still undecided after reading the threads.They have the tilt forward mechanism and head rests and good bolster shape too. A few members have installed these but involved runner bracketry etc to fit. Some have said they are a bit of a tight fit in the Stag...too snug against B post or foul the tunnel when sliding forward.

Another alternative I've looked at are Alfa Romeo 147 - 3 Door Coupe. both these and Tomcat seats have similar fluting in the centre panels so in-keeping with the Stag style of 70's. Some have said the seat base sits too high in the Stag and suggest similar Alfa seats but from the GTV or Spyder 916 as it's more a sports or convertible so a lower line. These can be a little expensive even on Flea Bay or well worn.

From the Jaguar stable, some have used the XJS seats or keeping with BL an MGB. Again, leather with tilt forward and in-keeping with the same era and Classic car styling.

With regards to modern cars, I have looked at Audi TT seats too or BMW 1 Series Coupe or Convertible (the E82 or E88). My current daily drive is a 1 Series Convertible E88 so know the seats well and same as all the others have tilt forward, adjustable head rests and if you're lucky may even find some Sports heated ones if you can be bothered with installing some electrical connections ( might be handy in October !).

Ray

[Swifty75]

Thanks Ray......

The mgf ones in the Vitesse were tight against the b post, and had no tilt mechanism. Audi TT seats seem reasonably priced, not sure if there too wide though. You can also get heated ones which would be brilliant in North Scotland, With a soft top in October!

[ramjam2005]

Thanks Ray......

The mgf ones in the Vitesse were tight against the b post, and had no tilt mechanism. Audi TT seats seem reasonably priced, not sure if there too wide though. You can also get heated ones which would be brilliant in North Scotland, With a soft top in October!

I also own a 2002 MGF TF160 and looked at those in the past but as you say they don't tilt.

I was going to say Audi Sports seats have wide shaped shoulder supports (I've owned an Audi A3 with these) so may not fit due to the B post and seat belt mount snagging point. That's why I started looking at the slimmer Alfa and BMW E82 / E88 seats as have a more tapered shape at the shoulders.

I've just done a Forum search and the threads are still there. Can't recall who but there is a member on here with a nice red Stag with the Tomcats fitted.
Found this link below on topic.

https://www.socforum.com/forum/forum...ats#post491931

[tvrgeek]

In the MGB world, we use Miata seats. Some have used Fiereo or Corvette. All are popular enough to have leather refurb kits. I like my MK II seats, though I would prefer cloth.

[malc4d]

Why not fit MK 2 seats...….simples

[new to this]

The easiest thing to do is fit head rest in the mk1 seats,you can buy the foams and covers

Dave

[sujitroy]

the Fed mk1 headrest have a metal frame in them. that frame bolts into the seat.

[sujitroy]

it looks like a bend sheet and I'm sure can be fabricated

[new to this]

the Fed mk1 headrest have a metal frame in them. that frame bolts into the seat.

I think you can buy them or make them easy if youhave the covers for patterns

[StagJonno]

Think Stagweber have offered these "Mk1" headrest frames in the past. Also, Tony White may have some pre-loved ones.

[Wolfie1963]

Neil
i had Rover 220 seats fitted in my Stag for a while and was very happy with them, also used them in my car when I too took part in the RBRR one year. I bought them from another Stag owner so they were already fitted on modified runners and so bolted into the car in a matter of minutes. I have now refurbished the original seats and swapped back. If you are interested in the Rover ones I still have them and would be happy to let them go.
cheers
Sean

[Swifty75]

Thanks Sean...... are they black leather and do they tilt forward? If I get some that match I might keep them in.

[bullstarz]

I fitted some from a FIAT COUPE , leather loads of support and reasonably priced (ebay). Just do a search for coupe or convertible seats.

The RBRR looks good but doing it in a few days with no sleep is more like work than fun. Some of the best road in the UK i would prefer doing it in my own time and take it all in, not much apart from a few drunks in Edinburgh 3.00am, Well there will possibly loads as it is Scotland.

I do get its for charity and all but i think ill do the Piloting Extremely Nicely In Scotland 287 and give a donation to Royal British Legion or Air ambulance.

[mjheathcote]

I've a pair of Recaro seats in mine, not from a production car but their aftermarket range.
What you have to remember when fitting any seat is to maintain the same centre line, remember the mounting points on the floor are offset, and most seats have mounting points that are not offset, so you need to fabricate mounts that take this into account.
Then you need the seat runners to be as low profile as possible between the fabricated mounts and the seat.
If you don't, you end up with a seat clashing the B post, and your head sticking above the T bar if you are tall.
I put a lot of effort in fitting mine with super slim seat runners, and have my seats exactly in the right position, and actually slightly lower than the original seats, which being 6'4" is beneficial.