TC Bucket Seats?

[loustaller]

Has anyone installed bucket seats in their TC? I've been looking at a set of seats from a AH Sprite Series 1 Bugeye Sprite. They seem to be a bit wide so I'm hesitating buying them. Anyone have any experience with these type of seats in a TC? Thanks, Lou

[Franz]

Some month ago I bought a pair of vintage bucket seats for my TC. I installed they into the car, I have the feeling that they are a little bit to small. I didn’t drive with them, will try when the weather is better. The original seats are more comfortable. Maybe I make cafe chairs for the garage from them

Franz

[loustaller]

That’s exactly the look I’m after. Are those seats from a Bugeye Sprite or are they newly manufactured seats? If so do you have any contact information for them? Thanks, Lou

[Ray White]

...forgive me; I'm no purist (far from it) but isn't the bench seat part of the TC aesthetic? It may be useless for support but you can always hang onto the steering wheel.!!

[loustaller]

Ray, I too am not a purest (any longer) and certainly appreciate correct factory cars but properly restoring a car back to it's original design doesn't motivate me any longer. As you know, any restoration, especially an accurate and detailed one takes quite a long time and a ton of effort which when completed properly will result in an outstanding car. I am all for "factory restorations" but it's just not my thing anymore. But, I do not change the overall design or character of the cars I build. I choose a car to build/rebuild/restore because I'm attracted to the car itself and find interest with it. The changes I make, when I do change something are more of enhancements then modifications or at least that's the way I see it.
As it's been said a million times by others, you own the car - do what you please with it. By the way, I am a judge at a Concours, have won at Hersey with the AACA with a properly restored 1924 Buick and have built many other award winning cars so I get what you're saying, I'm just doing my thing and having fun. I totally respect your opinion and comments but I just want to do my thing, have fun, get some enjoyment out of what I'm doing, have something a little different then others and have a car I can enjoy owning. Thanks for your input.

[Steve Simmons]

I've heard of Sprite seats being used in T-Types, but maybe it was TD. I know I've seen TCs with buckets but I don't recall exactly what they were. Some of the racer types would probably have an opinion. Bob Grunau is a member here and races his TC, maybe he can comment.

I find the stock TC seats extremely comfortable, as does my wife. We do a lot of long distance driving so they suit us well. But I also take a lot of shorter drives through our local canyons and the stock seat back isn't very supportive laterally. So last time I had the seats reupholstered, I removed from padding from each side to create buckets within the single piece. I like it even more than before.

[Duncan M]

I built my buckets from scratch. Typical 1950's sports racer seat construction. One piece aluminum back/sides have a fully rolled edge for strength. Problem in a TC is the narrowness and the inner fender that sticks into the cockpit, and limits how far back a simple seat will go. If you are unusually wide or long legged, then buckets probably will not work for you. I used the original slider mechanisms, but used 2 extra removable fasteners on each seat to keep it from hinging forward. Strong, lightweight and comfortable. I found a 13" wide base worked well. Sides are low enough for a lap belt to fit properly.

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[loustaller]

I asked the guy who is selling the Sprite seats to measure the width, length and height and he came back with ; height 21", the length, front to back is 18.5" and the width is 19" side to side. I'm thinking those numbers are "close" and far from exact. The width of 19" would certainly not fit in a TC. The best I could measure my car, as it's completely apart, the width between the inside door panel and the gearbox tunnel is right at 18 3/4". If his measurements are correct and my measurements are close to be correct the Sprite seats would not fit but if others have used Sprite seats in a TC as Steve says (and I don't doubt him) then the measurements I have are incorrect.
I don't have the ability to fab my own seats so I'll either buy what I find and modify them or keep looking for something that will fit. Either way, it's fun!

[Duncan M]

Lou-
I should have mentioned my seats are 18" wide at the very widest, where the light green meets the dark green. But built on a 13" wide base. Overall 24" high. I had to do some trial and error because I wanted at least an inch clearance when the door closes, and no contact with the driveshaft tunnel. The other root problem in a TC is the seatback will contact the inner fender--before any other part of the seat, when the seats are installed at a comfortable angle. It is that inner fender protrusion that limits things.

Look at Franz's 3rd pic where the seatback is contacting that inner fender. A good illustration of the problem I am talking about. I assume he just has placed the seat he got on the floor? I suspect that seat is not at a comfortable angle yet, so when angled back you can see how more leg room is lost.

[loustaller]

Duncan, thanks for the update and dimensions. In addition to the Sprite seats that are for sale I also looked at a new reproduction of an old bomber seat, the type hot rad and rat rodders are using. The dimensions are tighter then other seats I've seen and are brand new so if there are any modifications needed they can be accomplished neat and cleanly. I may have to wait until the body goes back on the chassis for another trial fit to get the exact measurements I need before I buy something. We'll see. Thanks again. Lou

[Franz]

I didn’t drive with the bucket seats yet. Will try when the weather in Vienna will be better. For me looks the original bench more beautiful and it is more comfortable for cruising. Maybe for racing the bucket seats are better. I’ll try later and let you know.

Franz

[Charlie Mac Quarrie]

When I first bought my car in the 50s, the first thing I did was to install bucket seats from a 28 or 29 Austin 7 which are still in use today. These were a great improvement to the car as you now have more elbow room and you can easily reach behind the seats for things on the floor and shelf and were really comfortable. The A7 seats originally had a rubber air bladder in the cushion which rotted and I replaced with foam. Recently I reupholstered the seats again and replaced the foam with newly available air bladders, which are excellent (and expensive!)
The thing you have to watch with bucket seats in a TC is that the back of the seats does not wrap too far around the sides. This is not a problem on a race car, but on a road car where you are in and out a lot can make entry and exit difficult. (especially for geezers) That's why the A7 seats were so good.
New A7 seats are available in the UK.
Regards
Charlie

[Ray White]

I didn’t drive with the bucket seats yet. Will try when the weather in Vienna will be better. For me looks the original bench more beautiful and it is more comfortable for cruising. Maybe for racing the bucket seats are better. I’ll try later and let you know.

Franz

Hi Franz. I cannot imagine you trying to race the car with the standard bench seat. There is simply not the support you need. With a bucket seat, I presume it would be easier to fit a seat belt /harness. Hope you win with your car!

[Gene Gillam]

I recently bought two bucket seats (left and right) from Tom Wilson for my modified TC. They seem to fit fine but I still need to get them upholstered. I'm not sure what car they were meant for but I'm sure Tom would know.

[Gene Gillam]

One more view...mounted in car. Room at either side, excellent height, easy enough to get in and out of the car even at my age.

[SteveW]

Interesting choice of mounting point for your seat belt - through the wood floor. Have you reinforced the underside of the floor to spread the load in the event of an accident? I'm a way off making a decision on seat belts and I know that there has been a lot of discussion around mounting on the chassis, the tub or a combination of both. Or keeping original and not bothering at all.

[loustaller]

Not that I expected to just bolt in some Sprite seats without modifications but by seeing all the different seats you all have used I don't see it being a problem finding "something" that will fit with a little nip and tuck. As we open up more and more the British car swap meets will be happening where I will be looking and asked for a set of seats to buy. Who knows what I might find? Fun!

[Gene Gillam]

Interesting choice of mounting point for your seat belt - through the wood floor. Have you reinforced the underside of the floor to spread the load in the event of an accident?

Steve, these are aluminum floorboards, not wooden...very solid.