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MG Midget and Sprite General - Seat renewing - suppliers?

The seats in my 78 Midget are getting pretty worn out.
I'd like to replace some of the foam and both coverings.

I have priced this at the two major suppliers and found that it's cheaper to buy new seats that are not exactly made for my car but will fit and likely feel better.

Why is it that way?
(why ask why?)

So - anyone know of an alternative that won't bankrupt me?
Rick Bastedo

Miata seats of course.
For mucho cash: http://www.summitracing.com/parts/SCA-80-1300-51R/

Or (I know they are not high on your list) you can buy covers from prestige auto trim.

Or... find someone that does boat upholstery and see what they'd charge to cover the seats. These guys are often cheaper than custom upholstery shops.
Trevor Jessie

Well Trevor, not considering how much shipping might be that Summit seat (x2) would be about the same cost as new covers for two seats and foam replacement for one.
That just seems ridiculous.

Rick Bastedo

I've got a great pair of seats from an MGF, and cheap too, but of course over in the US you don't have those do you :-(
Mike Howlett

Rick -

I used Moss stuff to re-do my interior during the Fall of '09, and was well impressed. The seat foams are considerably firmer than the squashy old things that were in there before, and they just feel like different seats altogether. I'd already replaced the rubber webs.

Pics here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/safety_fast/sets/72157622081163601/

Moss sells all the bits separately, so if you just want to do the foams, for example, you don't have to purchase the entire interior.

Not sure if that helps, since you're leaning toward different seats entirely, but this refit gave me a completely renewed feel while keeping the factory look. I was genuinely surprised how comfortable the stock seats are when set up properly.

-:G:-
Gryf Ketcherside

Gryf, looks like your coverings were already in pretty nice shape.

Mine have splitting seams and tearing so I have to do something, and the foam seems to be MIA from the drivers back on the right side, I feel the seat frame there very definitely.

It kind of irks me that a pair of "sport" seats that have reclining and cushy foam are around the same cost as a new foam back and bottom for one seat and a pair of new vinyl coverings.

The set I bought from AH Spares for my 64 cost a lot less and I got two sets of foam and covers for both seats. Too bad they don't provide coverings for the 1500 Midget.
Rick Bastedo

"It kind of irks me that a pair of "sport" seats that have reclining and cushy foam are around the same cost as a new foam back and bottom for one seat and a pair of new vinyl coverings.

The set I bought from AH Spares for my 64 cost a lot less and I got two sets of foam and covers for both seats. Too bad they don't provide coverings for the 1500 Midget."



Wtf, Rick are you kidding us, are they charging that much for the lose parts for just one 1500seat????

Arie de Best

Arie, that's a (1) foam back for the drivers side and vinyl covers for both.

The foams in my passenger seat are fine.
The bottom cushion in my drivers seat is OK.
The back is gone.

Yes - it's nuts.

I see some Ebay sellers that are a little less, right now I am leaning towards finding a set of Fiero or Miata seats and putting them in instead.
Rick Bastedo

Rick wrote:

>>> Gryf, looks like your coverings were already in pretty nice shape. <<<

Everything you see there is new, except for the gearstick gaiter.

-:G:-
Gryf Ketcherside

Gryf, I guess I misread something.

If I can find a pair of Miata seats in leather with built in heaters I think I'd be pretty happy.
Don't know if they came with heaters, but that would be sweet for winter driving.
Rick Bastedo

Hi Gryf,

I have been taking a good look at your interior ever since you posted the link a few months ago.

Do you have any pics of how you did the dash panel?
tomshobby

I got Miata seats at a local salvage yard.
I forgot to ask what year the car is, and apparently it makes a difference.
The speakers had already been pulled out of the seats, they are manual not electric and cloth covered.
I got the pair for $100 US.
I'm looking at recovering kits already, even though they are not in bad shape.
I bought a seat heater kit from a guy on Ebay - that's going to really help on these cold wintery mornings.
Rick Bastedo

Seat heater?

Rick, your haemorroids will appriciate it. LOL!!!
Arie de Best

I drive my Midget every day, year around.
Some winter mornings are brutally cold, that's the reason for the heater. I'm thinking that's a very good idea for my ongoing use of the car.
It has two heating elements, one for the seat back and one for the bottom.
Rick Bastedo

You need an electric Snuggie!

:)
Trevor Jessie

Rick,

Victoria British finally got around to posting their interior installation instructions on their website.
This is viewable as HTML or can be saved as a PDF.

http://www.victoriabritish.com/interiors/

They have them for Spridgets, Spitfires, MGBs and TR6s. I installed a VB interior in my Midget a couple of years ago and the instructions made it a simple, straightforward process.

Even if you don't use one of their kits, it is worth saving a copy for future reference when you need to deal with the interior. Really takes the mystery out of redoing your interior.

Lee

PS: I'm looking for a pair of Miata seats in black if anyone knows of a set available.
Lee Fox

I you want interiors try
http://www.pjm-motors.co.uk/

Not sure cost of shipping across the pond, but they are a family run outfit, good quality and very friendly.
No connection just had good service.

R

richard boobier

Thanks Lee I have saved a copy of that here - it is a good guide for sure.

Start by calling your local wrecking yards.
You never can tell, the seats you want could be closer than you think. There's also a wrecking yard search engine, but the question of how up to date they keep the results is one I'd consider.

http://www.car-part.com/

Rick
Rick Bastedo

If you recover your existing frames before doing so check the frames are in good condition, especially the driver's as that get the most use

If you have a car with the rubber diaphram just replacing that can make a big difference

In my last car i had the frames stripped repaired, resprung and repainted with new foams, cardbord and covers, a lovely finished job but not cheap

With my present Spridget I bought the covers, foams, webbing, ect. and paid an upholsterer to recover the seats and asked him to check the frame were OK before beginning work

less than a year later on a tour (going up a steep incline) the seat frame bust so it had to be repaired and a part section replaced on the cover where it ripped with an extra seam across the top of the seat cover

Many years ago I recovered the seats myself with covers and foams ect. and needed my wifes help to get the covers on to the glued foams - it didn't go well, it's the nearest we've ever been to a huge row so I left it to others since
Nigel Atkins

When you had trouble putting the covers on did you try using the plastic bag method?
I have heard it several times, then I saw it done with a pair of MG seats on Wheeler Dealers.
Ed simply put the end of the plastic bag the seat covers were delivered in over the seat back and then pulled on the seat covers. Easy as pie!
So when I recovered my Sprite seats I did the same, worked charmingly!

Without the bag trick it would be miserable.
Rick Bastedo

I can't remember and to try would cause further trauma

Therapy is time consuming and expensive over here - you have to travel to the pub, drink beer, get your round in, and it wears off after a days so you have to do it again sometimes for months and years to get over the incident, by which time something else happens requiring the same treatment, sometimes these therapies overlap

I can see no end to the treatment
Nigel Atkins

The plastic bag trick really is easy and is standard procedure in modern seat construction.

A few years ago I toured a Lear Corp. facility making seats for GM. They placed a bag similar to a dry cleaners bag over the foam and pulled the covers right over the foam/frame. They then put the whole seat in a box with hot air that took all the wrinkles out. I imagine a heat gun or hair dryer would do the same.

The only caution I would give doing your own seats is that there are lots of sharp edges on the frames so be careful you don't bleed all over your new seats.
Lee Fox

Rick,
All the seats of that vintage had the provisions for the headrest speakers, but not all of them came with the speakers. If the wires were not there, this one probably never had speakers.

BTW, Mr Mike sells replacement seat covers for the Miata seats with MG logos on them...
http://www.mrmikes.com/miatahome.htm
Yes, bun-warmers work very well for extending the comfort season of driving a convertible, but be sure your alternator and battery are up to the task.
David "12VDC blanket in my Midget" Lieb
David Lieb

Thanks David,
Yes I've seen Mr Mikes and recommended him to others.
If you have the funds I think that's the way to go.
However if I can get a pair of plain-jane leather covers for around $200 I will forgo the MG logo.

My seats have the wiring, but no speakers and boxes.
They had obviously been removed as the headrests were left open and though there was no damage it appeared someone before me had deftly removed the speakers.

First drive to work this morning with the new seats, I think it's going to take me a while to get used to the 'support' as my old seats were quite well worn out.
These 'racing' style seats have side bolsters designed I suppose to keep you in place around hard cornering.
The bolster on the inside is a bit much to get used to but I suppose over time one of us (my back or the bolster) will win and the other will succumb.

I removed the floor carpeting and treated the beginnings of rust that was growing underneath.
Never underestimate the ability of rust to form under damp carpeting.
For now it's going to be bare floor under there until I get some black carpet (or dye the brown kit I've got).
Rick Bastedo

I received the heater / massage kit day before yesterday.
Yesterday after work I installed it and put the drivers seat back in the car.

The drive in this morning was very nice, but I didn't want to get out of the car.

Ebay Item number: 330535090462
Made by Check Corp.
Rick Bastedo

This thread was discussed between 08/02/2011 and 04/03/2011

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