Anything and everything Spitfire.

In common with lots of Spits I've come across, one of the worst features is the somewhat worse for wear seats.

I'm kicking around the options for improving these.

Has anyone bought the replacement seat covers / foams from the likes of Canley / Rimmers & if so how tedious a job was it?

Any alternative recommendations?

Thanks all.

Doug.

Doug

Have a look at theSpitfire and GT6 'archive' on the right - under 'seats'. Further info provided but have a think about MX5 seats - superb! See also the GT6 section in November's Courier.

Don

Hello all

Triumph seats are always very nice to do, they take much longer than the equivalent MG seat as they are better made, but the results are far nicer to look at and sit on.
However last time I did Spit 1500 seats using new foams I was dissapointed, foams are always supplied bigger than the originals because they are different densitys, the new ones rely a lot on being compacted to get the firm feel to the seat. The foams for the Spitfire seats were far too big and the end result looked as if the seats had been blown up with a foot pump! As a result my head was touching the hoodframe (I'm 6').
The foams came from Newton Commercial via Moss, and in future if the same size is supplied I will remove a layer from the base foams. The upright foams were fine.

Tim

Willow Triumph

It might be worth finding your local car upholstery repairer.

The one local to me repaired a torn seam right across the thigh roll, replaced the underseat foam, repaired a tear in the back of the seat, repoppered a tonneau, repaired two tears in a soft top and refitted to the frame &163;45.

If you are anywhere near N Herts I can give you details.

Thanks to everyone for the replies.

I'm in Stirling, so couldn't be much further from N Herts.

Hello all,

I saw these on e-bay, although it doesn't specifiy whether they are 1500 seats. Current bid (15.20 on 11th Feb) is &163;31.00.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&it...

(Hope the link works, never tried to paste one in before!)

John H

I've recently changed the foams in both seats in my 1500 - backs & seats. To be honest it's well worth changing the lot as it's a completely different seat when it's done - I sit about 2 inches higher now! Foams are about &163;30 a go - &194;&163;120 for a full set per car. It's a bit of a fiddle, but if you take careful note of what clips go where when you disassemble them you should be OK - a digital camera is handy here if you have one. It's also worth getting hold of some spare hog rings for the seats and a pot of copydex! It's a bit of a b!tch of a job, so take your time when re-covering as it's really worth the extra effort to get a good fit.

Invariably if you change the whole seat any second hand replacements will need new foams anyway.

Don

Interesting what you say about MX5 seats for a Spit and having read that I am now contemplating fitting them to my 1500. I read the article in the Courier and it mentions a slight modification to the runners to get a straight fit.

Any idea what the 'slight' means???

Regards

Dave L

Doug

I bought a set of covers and one set of foam last year (the covers only come as a pair). You will also need some upholstery glue

The drivers seat was the worst so I started with this. Stripping it down was straightforward.

I did it in a couple of evenings - you need to let the glue on the seat set before pulling the sides round and clipping them underneath.

Not a bad job (never tackled anything like this before) but a bit expensive.

Just ordered the foam for the passenger seat from Canleys &163;66 (Rimmers &194;&163;91). In total it has cost about &194;&163;330 (including two set of webbing for the seat backs).

Good luck

Brian

Given that the covers are glued on does this mean that you are unlikely to be able to re-use an existing foam set with new covers? I can imagine the foams getting badly damaged if you try to remove old covers.

I have a drivers seat with damaged foam but an OK passenger seat - I had been hoping to get away with only one set of new foams............

Regards

Ian

Hiya,

Not sure if this will be of any use but I actually had instructions supplied with some seat covers I purchased from TGRB. I've only just started on attempting to reupholster my seats. Instructions plus digital camera. Should prove interesting

TRIUMPH SPITFIRE MKIV - FITTING NEW SEAT COVERS
NON RECLINING SEATS

Please read these instructions before fitting your new seat covers. For this operation the base is the part you sit on and the "squab" is the part you lean against. The cushion assembly can be removed from the seat in car by pulling back two "c" clips at the front of the cushion. You can now easily remove the whole seat from the car.

REMOVING SQUAB COVER
Unscrew the tip forward mechanism and release the black clips at the base of the frame. A flat screwdriver will suffice. Peel back the vinyl material, and note the flap that comes down from inside the seat. Unclip and leave loose. This flap is to pull the centre section of the seat face into the foam for shaping. Note that the front face is glued to the foam. This can be released gently be parting the two by hand. Pulling from the top, draw the old cover away from the assembly.

FITTING NEW COVER TO SQUAB
Having repaired or replaced the foam assembly, rubber springs, painted or repaired frame, the new cover may now be fitted. Note that there is a plastic sheet glued to the top and sides of the foam. This is to allow the cover to slip over the foam assembly with ease. Slip the cover over the assembly, pulling down equally on the plastic pipings, and not the face or back piece of vinyl. Centralise and pull the cloth flap through the slit in the foam and pull down towards the base. Apply a contact adhesive by either brush or spatula (messy job) to both inside of cover and foam. Allow to go tacky and then press firmly together. Tuck up the front flap at the base of the face and glue accordingly. Now pull the cloth flap tight and clip. The rear part of the cover can now be clipped to the frame.

REMOVING AND REPLACING THE CUSHION COVER
The wire hog rings can be removed with pliars. This will release the skirt. Fold back the cover and cut away the fluted centre section from the foam - use either a knife or hacksaw blade. Repair or replace foam cushion. The new cover can now be adhered to the foam using the same contact adhesive. Leave for on or two hours to harden and then fold the seat cover over the cushion, clipping the skirts to the frame with hog rings supplied.

Enjoy

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