Period Rally style seat covers ...

[Shelsleyf2]

Hi, Can anyone help me locate a pair of rally seat covers. In the late 60s early 70s these were a common accessory, along with lowering the steering colum and putting switch extenders on. Always black with a basket weave finish to the centre panel and high side bolster to give a bucket seat style look, anyone know where I might find a pair?.

Many thanks Jimmy

Edited by Shelsleyf2 on Friday 4th December 23:05

[Cooperman]

A bit of history for you, my children.
Those seat covers were introduced because the 'Group 1' regulations specified that seats had to remain standard, but that seat covers were permitted so long as the basic seats remained unchanged. They were first used by BMC and by Ford on the 1966 Monte Carlo Rally where anything except Group 1 cars carried a big handicap. That was the year the Minis and the Fords were all disqualified for illegal headlights.
Soon afterwards the regulations were changed to allow any seats so long as they fitted to the original fitting points and many events went back to Group 2 category having no handicap anyway.
I rode in a Mini at that time with those seat covers and thought they were horrible. They were not comfortable at all really and no substitute for a 'proper' seat.
It would be hard to find any now, but if you are restoring a 1966 Monte Carlo works replica I could see how necessary they would be.
If you wish, I'll ask a friend of mine who is an expert on works cars if he knows of any.

[Shelsleyf2]

Hi I did not realise they had a competition background. I remember buying some to fit to my road car..but cannot remember the make. I have tried searching historic accessory adverts, but no luck. Someone will have a pair in the loft/garage I hope. I wanted them for a period rally Imp...as a club car. Hope someone can help.

Jimmy

[Cooperman]

I think Rosemary Smith's Imp on that '66 Monte had those seat covers too. She was also disqualified over the headlight fiasco.
I have to say that those covers are not a patch on period recliners which we all had in our rally cars back then.

[ceejam]

I think I;ve still got some of those seat covers.

i inherited a box when a local car accessory shop closed down years ago.

I did have two sizes, small which fitted Mk1 Mini seats, and larger ones (meant for Escorts i think) That fit later Mini seats.

I'll have a root around and see what I can find.

[Shelsleyf2]

Hi, Thanks for that, I would like a pair to fit mini/imp seats if you have them still.I believe the manufacturer was kumfi car...Kumfi car gt lol.

Regards Jimmy

[CrazyMikeUSA]

Maybe, just maybe, 8 years later, this is still a topic...
I have found a barn-find car with one of these elusive Komfit covers. Yep, basket weave center and moderately stretchy outer bolster, for the early mini low back seat. It's in fine enough shape that I have dared disassemble for reproduction - AND am in the process of making a custom green outer black center grey surround set for my girlfriends 1962 997.

The fabrics used are still quite common, I believe the basket weave is called htr101 at Keystone and the plain is a stretchier version of simple Madrid.

If anyone is interested, we'll be at Mini Meet East in Columbus June 28/29/30 (2017).
When I get a successful pattern and repro together I'll re-stitch the original

I'll revisit when I have pictures.