seats (specific model question)

[vbm]

I couldn't find any references specifically on what aftermarket seats fit easily in a spider ('74 in particular). I see the Corbeau A-4 is "the perfect choice for tight spaces." Has anyone put these in? What about the other Corbeau models? The Recaros are a bit more $$ than I want to spend at this time. I originally wanted to just reupholster the originals, but the kits cost just about as much as new Corbeaus do (I would also need replacement foam if keeping the original seats)

OG Racing

Thanks! I should be getting my car next week! Heading to the MVA to stand in line for hours tomorrow to get tags......

Vic

[Roadtrip]

Go to a local upholsterer and see what he'd charge. Mine were a little over $300 including some minor cushion repair.

Stand in line for hours for tags??? If I have to stand in line for more than 5 minutes at the county courthouse, that's almost unheard of. Of course, we don't have a state income tax and car registration/tags are about $30.

[conedriver]

Hi Vic,

I have Corbeau FORZA seats in my '76 Spider (these are non-adjustable race-type. $220 each, see http://www.corbeau.com/ ) . I first installed just a driver's seat, then decided to install one for the passenger. However, I had forgotten that Spider seat location is not symmetrical in the cockpit. The driver's seat is centered behind the steering wheel, while the passenger's seat is offset toward the door to provide additional room for the driver. The tops of the FORZA seats are 21 1/2 inches wide. The outboard edge of the driver's seat clears the inside of the chrome cockpit trim by 2 1/2 inches, while the same part of the passengers seat clears the trim by 1 1/4 inches and actually interferes slightly with the passenger side window. The seats are mounted on the existing seat tracks, and the passenger seat can not be moved inward due to the bottom section contacting the center console.

Another issue is that the FORZA seat bottom doesn't compress like a stock Spider seat, so the seating position is slightly higher.

The A4 seat specification dimensions are 21 in. top, 18 in. side & 18 in. bottom, while the FORZA seats are 21 12 in. top, 18 in. side and 20 in. bottom. Since the A4 seat is slightly narrower than the FORZA, you should be able to fit these in your '74 Spider, but it will still be a very tight fit. I can take some pictures of my seat installation if you want.

Regards,

[vbm]

Got my tags! official time: 1:53. Yet another reason I hate leaving the midwest and moving to the East Coast.

But anyways, George, thanks for the details. I'm now just noticing that the A4 does not specifically mention 5 point capability, but "harness" capability only. Does that mean it's only good for the suicidal 4 point systems that are just for looks? How do you set the recline angle on the Forza? I don't care if it's adjustable once mounted, but I'd like to be able to set it once. This will be used for much more than autocrossing. Thanks again

Vic

[conedriver]

Hi Vic,

The 5 point belt capacity on the Corbeau FORZA is accomplished ny an opening at the front of the cushion that accepts the anti-submarine belt. I guess you could get on the corbeau website and compare the "harness capacity" of a FORZA seat to the A4. If they use the same wording, it seems that the A4 would have the same sub-belt hole as the FORZA.

Regarding seatback angle; I just bolted the seats to brackets I then bolted across the stock seat tracks (The seat holes don't line up with the seat track holes). If a different angle is desired, spacer washers can be used to raise or lower the front or rear of the seat. However, this will affect the relative position of the front of the seat bottom, and may result in an unsatisfactory alignment.

Quote:

Originally Posted by vbm Got my tags! official time: 1:53. Yet another reason I hate leaving the midwest and moving to the East Coast. But anyways, George, thanks for the details. I'm now just noticing that the A4 does not specifically mention 5 point capability, but "harness" capability only. Does that mean it's only good for the suicidal 4 point systems that are just for looks? How do you set the recline angle on the Forza? I don't care if it's adjustable once mounted, but I'd like to be able to set it once. This will be used for much more than autocrossing. Thanks again Vic

[vbm]

I confirmed that the A4 does not allow a 5 point harness. Given conedriver's comments on the Forza, there is also the Clubman model that is a bit narrower. Has anyone mounted that model?

Also, I'd like to see any pics of a spider with the autopower race rollbar, or cage. Any suggestions for links? thanks again

[conedriver]

Vic,

Here's a picture of the used Autopower race roll bar I bought for my Spider. I added a horizontal bar for the shoulder harness to assure the straps run back, not down, from the seat (don't run shoulder harness straps down from the back of the seat. It isn't safe). This bar is too tall to fit under a stock Spider convertible top, but will fit between the width of the top frame. However, after many conversations with IOPort, the online Autopower supplier, IOPort, I learned the only bar they will now make is too wide to accomodate the top mechanism. I suspect this may be a product liability issue, so your only hope is to find a used bar. I will have my Spider out for the last autocross of the season this weekend, and will take some pictures of the bar and seat installation.

Quote:

Originally Posted by vbm I confirmed that the A4 does not allow a 5 point harness. Given conedriver's comments on the Forza, there is also the Clubman model that is a bit narrower. Has anyone mounted that model? Also, I'd like to see any pics of a spider with the autopower race rollbar, or cage. Any suggestions for links? thanks again

[conedriver]

Vic,

Here are a few pictures of my Spider with an autopower race roll bar and the installation of Corbeau FORZA seats:

Quote:

Originally Posted by vbm I confirmed that the A4 does not allow a 5 point harness. Given conedriver's comments on the Forza, there is also the Clubman model that is a bit narrower. Has anyone mounted that model? Also, I'd like to see any pics of a spider with the autopower race rollbar, or cage. Any suggestions for links? thanks again

[vbm]

Thanks George!

So I did pick up the car, it's never run better. But, day 1, after 5 years of hibernation, the rear bumper falls off. Ahh, the joy of owning an alfa!