TVR S1 seat swaps - what fits?
Discussion
Getting my first TVR this Saturday. An S1 with vinyl seats in poor repair.I would like to fit leather seats and have a mig welder to alter mounts if necessary. So far I have found references to people using seats from other TVRs, which fit straight in, from XJS Jags, and from MX5s. Are there any others? I thought MG F/TF might do it, or MR2. Any tips would be appreciated. The hood is also tatty. Anyone found an inexpensive way to refurb.?
Thanks.
Thanks.
Hi and Welcome to S ownership.
I used MX5 seats as they are such an easy swap, with them being a flat floor fitting and even 3 of the 4 holes line up perfectly only need to drill the floor for one hole each seat, and they are plentiful in supply for good prices and choice of colour. They do however have more padding so you sit a little higher, so if you are 6ft tall or more a little removal of some of the foam filling may be necessary, I find them very comfortable and supportive. As for the roof if its just discoloured there are cleaners, Autoglym Hood Restore that I used, that does a good job, but any rips or tears needs an upholstery specialist, Dave the Trimmer gets good comments on here, he is in Redditch or a replacement window panel can be obtained.
I am sure more will be along with other options advise as well,more dependant on your local area, we are a friendly knowledgeable bunch. Enjoy.
I used MX5 seats as they are such an easy swap, with them being a flat floor fitting and even 3 of the 4 holes line up perfectly only need to drill the floor for one hole each seat, and they are plentiful in supply for good prices and choice of colour. They do however have more padding so you sit a little higher, so if you are 6ft tall or more a little removal of some of the foam filling may be necessary, I find them very comfortable and supportive. As for the roof if its just discoloured there are cleaners, Autoglym Hood Restore that I used, that does a good job, but any rips or tears needs an upholstery specialist, Dave the Trimmer gets good comments on here, he is in Redditch or a replacement window panel can be obtained.
I am sure more will be along with other options advise as well,more dependant on your local area, we are a friendly knowledgeable bunch. Enjoy.
Ah, another discerning S1 owner! Welcome. Wouldn't be without the wealth of experience and support from this friendly forum. As a matter of interest, when was yours registered? There are quite a few detail changes during development of the S1, we may have bits in common and others which differ.
As far as seats go, I fully restored mine including developing a new support system but using the original frame. Mine was retrimmed by a great guy in Preston.
Probably the most highly recommended stuff for hoods (there was a thread on here some time ago) is Renovo. They do cleaning and reproofing stuff and it really does work, I use it and I am very impressed. Not cheap but or this level of performance it is good value.
Is your car kept garaged or outside?
As far as seats go, I fully restored mine including developing a new support system but using the original frame. Mine was retrimmed by a great guy in Preston.
Probably the most highly recommended stuff for hoods (there was a thread on here some time ago) is Renovo. They do cleaning and reproofing stuff and it really does work, I use it and I am very impressed. Not cheap but or this level of performance it is good value.
Is your car kept garaged or outside?
Thanks for the replies. The hood is baggy and scored over the roll hoop, and the rigid panels are scored. The window is fair. I plan to construct a hardtop from scratch and I'll let you know how that goes! I can't see any decent MX5 seats for sale near Lincoln at present, but they do sound an easy fit! I might look in a couple of breaker's yards in sunny S
horpe - you never know.
horpe - you never know. phillpot said:
S2Mike said:
Dave the Trimmer gets good comments on here, he is in Redditch or a replacement window panel can be obtained.
Not unless he's moved!there is a trim shop in Redditch but Dave is just outside Milton Keynes. clicky
I should also say, many people state that the original seats are the most comfortable they have sat in, so maybe a retrim would be the answer.?
Edited by S2Mike on Tuesday 7th January 11:20
Obviously it’s a personal thing but I find the Cerb seats are brilliant. Cue gratuitous and pathetic excuse to post upholstery porn
This was quite an expensive option so if you’re happy with the comfort of the existing seats then get them re-trimmed and maybe rearrange the springing arrangement as above. In my experience though, if your old foams have lost their shape or collapsed having them built up is a waste of time and money as they will squash back down again in no time.
I did hear that Adrian Venn had some foams for the early ‘S’ seats so it might be worth giving him a call. Dave The Trimmer did my new seats and I’m very pleased with them.
This was quite an expensive option so if you’re happy with the comfort of the existing seats then get them re-trimmed and maybe rearrange the springing arrangement as above. In my experience though, if your old foams have lost their shape or collapsed having them built up is a waste of time and money as they will squash back down again in no time.
I did hear that Adrian Venn had some foams for the early ‘S’ seats so it might be worth giving him a call. Dave The Trimmer did my new seats and I’m very pleased with them.
v8s4me said:
Obviously it’s a personal thing but I find the Cerb seats are brilliant. Cue gratuitous and pathetic excuse to post upholstery porn
This was quite an expensive option so if you’re happy with the comfort of the existing seats then get them re-trimmed and maybe rearrange the springing arrangement as above. In my experience though, if your old foams have lost their shape or collapsed having them built up is a waste of time and money as they will squash back down again in no time.
I did hear that Adrian Venn had some foams for the early ‘S’ seats so it might be worth giving him a call. Dave The Trimmer did my new seats and I’m very pleased with them.
I have tried one of these in Joe's car and they are good, but remember to try whatever you are thinking of first as comfort is the most important thing here and the originals are brilliant (for me...) - The other issue I picked up with Joe's Cerb seats is they could be a problem if you are over 6 foot tall as they are higher/thicker an raised me up into the roof!This was quite an expensive option so if you’re happy with the comfort of the existing seats then get them re-trimmed and maybe rearrange the springing arrangement as above. In my experience though, if your old foams have lost their shape or collapsed having them built up is a waste of time and money as they will squash back down again in no time.
I did hear that Adrian Venn had some foams for the early ‘S’ seats so it might be worth giving him a call. Dave The Trimmer did my new seats and I’m very pleased with them.
Yes, re-trimmed original Cerb seats, more info (seat porn) here
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
and some useful info here
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
and some useful info here
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
If you do keep the original seats and do decide to restore them the problem wont be the foam, it is fairly easy to buy suitable foam and the trimmer may have it anyway. The problem is the wire platform on which the foam rests. If yours is anything like mine it will be need archealogical dig to find the wire!"!"
I used the original frames, which were chemically cleaned for little money then I made a different support structure (after discussion with the trimmer). I have photos of the method I used. My trimmer was able to use a good deal of the original seat panels to save money as it was a bit tight at the time.
Incidentally the seats are unlikely to be 'vinyl'. Have a look at the reverse side. When not using leather, TVR seem to have used a lot of ex Jaguar material called Ambla. Once we knew what it was my trimmer got hold of some quite easily.
I used the original frames, which were chemically cleaned for little money then I made a different support structure (after discussion with the trimmer). I have photos of the method I used. My trimmer was able to use a good deal of the original seat panels to save money as it was a bit tight at the time.
Incidentally the seats are unlikely to be 'vinyl'. Have a look at the reverse side. When not using leather, TVR seem to have used a lot of ex Jaguar material called Ambla. Once we knew what it was my trimmer got hold of some quite easily.
greymrj said:
If you do keep the original seats and do decide to restore them the problem wont be the foam..........
Based on my experience I’d have to disagree. The right side bolsters on my driver’s seat were well squashed after 90,000 miles plus so I had them built up and reshaped with new foam layers over the top of the collapsed originals. A complete waste of time and money. Of course it may have been because the trimmer I used for that job was crap but still, that was my experience. If you’re looking for a trimmer to avoid in the AL post code area PM me.If your side bolsters have collapsed my advice would be to get a competent upholsterer to cut complete replacements from new foam of the appropriate density and bin the old bits.
Yer pays your money and takes yer choice.
greymrj said:
the seats are unlikely to be 'vinyl'. Have a look at the reverse side. When not using leather, TVR seem to have used a lot of ex Jaguar material called Ambla.
From a Jaguar Forum ....... 
What is an Ambla?
Posted on August 15, 2006 by barry
Do you have any idea what an Ambla is? Well a quick “google” search brings up some of the following definitions:
BAS – Ambla is vinyl with an expandable knit backing introduced by Jaguar in 1968. It was primarily used on seats, i.e back covers and cushion skirts, where a material with stretch was needed. Ambla was also specified by Jaguar for door panels which had embossed heat weld lines, i.e XJ/XJS. A very necessary product for seats and doors only.
JCNA – The Jaguar Club of North America’s Mark 2 Judging Guide states “Form Sept. 1966, in order to keep cost down, the upholstery was changed from leather to an Ambla plastic. The traditional Jaguar leather was still offered as an option… ” and “240 and 340 seats were covered in Ambla (type of vinyl).”
Thanks Phillpot, I remember that my dad's 1965 Corsair GT had 'Ambla' upholstery, a sort of posh plastic in it's day. It was used on the Jaguar 240 and 340 models as standard - sacrelage! Does no-one know of any other seats that will fit the S series, apart from the MX5, XJS and other TVR seats? There are some MR2 seats for sale locally but I read somewhere that these are wider than MX5 seats so unsuitable for an MX5 at least, so maybe also for a TVR. The passenger seat in mine is OK but the seams on the base and backrest are split, presumably due to the support failing. Only about 36 hours to go until I get it and then I can get stuck in!
Lotus elise and similar will fit.. Also Alan has esprit seats afaik
Or some buckets. I have mk3 mx5 which are about as wide as you could fit there are clearance issues worry about in the body where they billy bus also against the roll hoop so things like winged recaro seats won't fit.
Damian
Or some buckets. I have mk3 mx5 which are about as wide as you could fit there are clearance issues worry about in the body where they billy bus also against the roll hoop so things like winged recaro seats won't fit.
Damian
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