1967 Shelby Cobra 427 Seat Bottom Diaphragm Rubber Needed

[Leatherman289]

Hello everyone I have the honor to be doing some restoration work on an original 1967 Cobra 427 street car. The original seats used a rubber diaphragm suspension which was typical of all British cars from the period. These original parts are disintegrated and I want to source the most correct option to repair both seats.

Some guys have mentioned using Triumph or MGB diaphragms but wanted to post on this forum of anyone that has knowledge and who can steer me in the correct direction as I want to maintain what I repair as original as possible.

If anyone who reads this has solutions or a vendor please post or send me a DM, it is much appreciated. Once I source this missing part I want to create a thread on Club Cobra showing the restoration process I am undertaking on the interior to maintain the original worn vintage look all around which will not be easy but I have done this before on other high end vintage cars ive restored.

[DanEC]

If no one else comes up with anything you might give ERA in Connecticut a call asd ask where theirs come from. As I understand, they are pretty much like the originals.

[cycleguy55]

Originally Posted by Leatherman289

Hello everyone I have the honor to be doing some restoration work on an original 1967 Cobra 427 street car. The original seats used a rubber diaphragm suspension which was typical of all British cars from the period. These original parts are disintegrated and I want to source the most correct option to repair both seats.

Some guys have mentioned using Triumph or MGB diaphragms but wanted to post on this forum of anyone that has knowledge and who can steer me in the correct direction as I want to maintain what I repair as original as possible.

If anyone who reads this has solutions or a vendor please post or send me a DM, it is much appreciated. Once I source this missing part I want to create a thread on Club Cobra showing the restoration process I am undertaking on the interior to maintain the original worn vintage look all around which will not be easy but I have done this before on other high end vintage cars ive restored.

Moss Motors lists them for multiple makes. MGB: https://mossmotors.com/281-828-seat-cushion-diaphragm

[strictlypersonl]

About 5+ years ago, we searched high and low for the original bladders. Our supply had run out. We had bought a couple hundred many years ago. Unless they've started making them again, they are NLA. Triumph and MG didn't fit our frame.

I think that Kirkham has some which might fit your seat frame but they wouldn't fit ours. We ended up using 1.5" strips and hooks.

[patrickt]

Ahhh, this is what you want, but you can't get them anymore. They used to grow on trees, well maybe not that plentiful.

[Leatherman289]

Originally Posted by patrickt

Ahhh, this is what you want, but you can't get them anymore. They used to grow on trees, well maybe not that plentiful.

yes this looks like the part we need, in this photo is this an original AC Cobra seat and rubber diaphragm or is this an ERA?

I spoke to David earlier at Kirkham he did say he invested in tooling to make these parts identical to OE however with the war in Ukraine and their factory in Poland he is forced to shut down pretty much and is not able to produce much now. He said he will look to see if he has anything in the warehouse i might be able to purchase.

I ordered some TR4 lower diaphragms since they are very close in dimensions and this might be a plan B. I can not fix these seats properly without fixing the lower suspension of the seat frame so one way or another i may need to get creative here and it is not a visible part unless you pull the lower cushion apart.

I appreciate the replies so far on this and anyone else have any suggestions please post in this thread or send me a direct message anytime to talk

[patrickt]

That is from when I flew up to ERA for a "butt in seat" test because I'm 6' 4" and wanted the seat and cushion configured to lower me down a bit. I asked Jack to show me how he made the seats and that's a pic from it all. That was almost 20 years ago.