Thoughts on seats

HSSS427 · #1 (**permalink**) 10-27-2006, 09:07 PM

I have some "original" style bucket seats in my car that are leather on the front, have a removable bottom cushion, and carpet on the backs. Looks like they are made on some combination of fiberglass and wood frames. I'm assuming they are something ERA makes, or has made for them.

The passenger side wooden frame has broken and I'm trying to look at options for new seats for both sides. I've looked at the Kirky web site, and it certainly looks like their vintage seat would work well on the track for holiding you in, but the covers look like they're kind of "cheap" looking if you want something that looks nice as well as being functional.

What did the original SCs have in them and how were they constructed? What's been everyone's experience with different types of seats? What's the best seat for mostly street driving, but 4-5 times a year on the track?
What's the best way to bolt them in? I've just got 4 Grade 8 bolts going through the floor pan with big washers on them. A pain in the azz to hold the bolt head in the cockpit, while tightening the nut underneath. Appreciate any advice.
Thanks!
Scott

LMH · #2 (**permalink**) 10-27-2006, 09:16 PM

You could buy the Kirkey seat for the drivers side and use the unbroken one on the passengers side. Really gives it a comp look IMO. Then have a nice leather cover made for the Kirkey to match.
BTW, beautiful ERA!
Larry

Toxaway · #3 (**permalink**) 10-27-2006, 09:23 PM

I'd love to hear some feedback on this, too. I sent back the Kirkey vintage seats I got for just that reason, I thought the vinyl covers looked a little cheap. I'm looking to do a few track days and just cruising around. Anyone have any experience with Cobra seats? Thanks in advance!
Paul

Cracker · #4 (**permalink**) 10-28-2006, 06:47 AM

Scott,

I hear and have seen great things from one of the fanatics up in NJ - Evan, Sunshine, etc., etc. who makes the "Miles" line. The competition seat is REAL nice and would be a semi-original race type seat for your car.

Regarding the bolts - it pays to have arms like a gorilla, like me!

1985 CCX · #5 (**permalink**) 10-28-2006, 07:11 AM

ERA makes an original style steel welded tube framed seat in both leather or vinyl. Actually the original S/C's were naugahyde (vinyl). I don't know how old you car is but if the seats are wood then someone made a switch on you in the past. I don't think ERA ever made a wooden supported seat?

I have been in many cobras and the seats are clearly a valuable comodity. ERA and Contemporary made steel tube type seats like the originals and beleive you me they are far better than most. Especially compared to the lower end wooden seat; they are lightyears ahead in support and comfort. ERA also makes a fiberglass racing seat per original CSX cars. I would source them, however the newer style aluminum Kirkey seats are nice for track as well.

Greatest of luck! Nice car too.......

Jeff

jarendall · #6 (**permalink**) 10-28-2006, 07:47 AM

try Richfield Seating, they are in England, I purchased my seats from them, they make a replica of the original seats

double ugly · #7 (**permalink**) 10-28-2006, 07:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1985 CCX

ERA makes an original style steel welded tube framed seat in both leather or vinyl. Actually the original S/C's were naugahyde (vinyl). I don't know how old you car is but if the seats are wood then someone made a switch on you in the past. I don't think ERA ever made a wooden supported seat?

Jeff

I looked at an ERA in Tucson a year ago that had the foam on wood seats. I was surprised to see that.
John

strictlypersonl · #8 (**permalink**) 10-28-2006, 08:30 AM

When we were making fiberglass buckets (as opposed to our new steel frames), we bonded some thin wood to the glass in certain places so we could staple the fabric cover securely to the seat bottom. We also put some threaded inserts into the wood so the mounting bolts would sandwich the fiberglass. The wood served no other purpose.

sharpe 1 · #9 (**permalink**) 10-28-2006, 09:44 AM

I use a kirkey vintage seat for my drivers seat and I like it. If you dont like their vinyl cover have one made of leather if you like.The cover they sell is about $150. The cover doesn't come with the seat.
Good luck

HSSS427 · #10 (**permalink**) 10-28-2006, 11:59 AM

Bob, I think I've got the seats you describe, and over the years the threaded inserts have eaten up the wood. I then put a slider mount under the driver seat that also tilts the seat back, and same under passenger side without the slider mechanism. I bolted these to the wood and appartently the strain was too much, or the wood was brittle and the bolt shattered the wood at some point.

LMH, you mention a leather cover for the Kirky, but Toxaway mentions vinyl. As I recall, the cover Kirky sells is vinyl, or did you find a leather version somewhere. Also, on the Kirky, does the cover go over the back of the seat, or is the aluminum exposed on the seat back?

I was thining I might be able to get the Kirky, give a good upholstery place the old seat, and ask them to pad and install the leather from the old seat onto the Kirky. Any thoughts on that?

BTW Cracker - car is now running thanks to Bill P. I'll have to tell you the rest of the story some time. And, I still owe you that drive!
Thanks!
Scott

jrr · #11 (**permalink**) 10-28-2006, 12:38 PM

Also on the eternal search. The cost to recover the kirkey properly is not going to be cheap.

I have found these:
www.racetechseatsna.com/race_seats/LOWBACK.html

At 6'2" and 235#s, their normal butt model fits great. Cost is between $400 - 500. Great support once in.

Toxaway · #12 (**permalink**) 10-28-2006, 02:26 PM

Scott-
The covers that come with the Kirkey seats snap on around the edges. The back is exposed aluminum. They're really light. I've thought about having a custom cover made, but I'm also looking at the Cobra brand seats. I was also told that the Kirkeys need to be attached at the bottom AND the rear, rather than just a bottom mount. Not sure how I'd attach them like that in my car.

I might switch to higher backs, as I'm beginning to think I'm not as concerned about the vintage look in my JBL as I am about cornering support and comfort (can you have both?). Not trying to steal the tread, but does anyone have suggestions on high backs, too? What's the down side vs low backs?
Paul

RICK LAKE · #13 (**permalink**) 10-28-2006, 03:39 PM

HSSS427 Scott I don't know how big you are but Kirky makes a great road race seat. I have a 17" in my car and works great. You can mount it to the floor or use the seat adjusters that ERA sell. I mounted mine to the floor with extra support so as not to rip through the floor. I don't feel the need for a back support to the seat at the speed I do. The cloth is easy to wash and let air dry and still fits the seat fine. Look around for the best price. You could save $70-90.00 dollars. 1 small note, if you mount the seat to the floor it gets rid of the"Can I Drive your Car?". The seat is made for your butt only. Rick L.

sharpe 1 · #14 (**permalink**) 10-28-2006, 03:43 PM

I have seen alot of cobras with high back seats. They look fine. A lot depends on what your plans are. fictory five racing uses a high back kirkey in their spec racer and it looks good.

HSSS427 · #15 (**permalink**) 10-28-2006, 06:36 PM

I looked at the various seats, and I've settled on the one Steve Sunshine has made that's a repro of Ken Miles competition seat. All aluminum like the Kirky, but fully covered and padded to look more like the original style and he makes them to your dimensions. You can see the pics in his gallery here at Club Cobra.
Thanks!
Scott