I realise there are quite a few different makes of seats available for the rather confined space of the average Locost, however, if anyone is interested in a truly custom fit seat, I could perhaps help.
I'm 6'7" tall, and find all the aftermarket seats are not ergonomically suited to me, so I now make all my own seats (see Photos>Rorty>Custom alloy seat. But please note, the ones I make now have a lot of lightening holes).
They are made from 2mm aluminium sheet, similar to the American off-road , and speedway seats, and have removeable padding/cover (good idea for an open top Locost too). They are both light and rigid.
I would be happy to draw up the seat pattern to suit any individual's dimensions. It's important that the seat fits perfectly, to hold you securely for fast cornering, and for comfort.
The patterns are on a 1" square grid (see Photos>Rorty>Seat pattern), which is then transfered onto the aluminium sheet. The blank is then cut out with a jigsaw/laser, folded, and welded. Any car/marine upholsterer can then make a cover in your chosen material and colour.
I normally include the pattern as part of a set of plans for an off-road buggy, but I would be happy to do them for people on this list in exchange for say, a UK car mag etc.
Obviously these seats won't be for everyone, as most people will prefer to buy ready made seats. Also, not everybody has access to a folding press, or someone who can weld alloy.
However, if you're tall, or you have limited space for a conventional seat, contact me off forum, and I'll do what I can to help.



[Edited on 17/12/02 by Rorty]

hi rorty, i contacted you through email about a set of these seats.

just wondering if anyone else knows if there is a prob with these seats and sva??

If they are strong, firmly mounted and have all sharp edges covered to the correct radius of padding, then there's no reason why they shouldn't pass SVA.

The only other thing would be to ensure that the holes for the seatbelts are really smooth and unlikely to wear the belt material.

David

I usually tack weld an AL "U" channel around the whole seat, but also recommend that others glue some of that rubber "U" channel in place as an alternative.
Similarly for the belt slots, I normally cut pieces of the same rubber slightly too long, glue the ends together with Superglue, and force them into the slots.
If the upholstery is to remain afixed to the seat, I think Dreamin' Thieves or Eurospares or someone sells the snap-together belt slot trims. You would just need to adjust the patern to accomodate the exact shape of the plastic trims.

Rorty,

What info do you need to make a design?


cheers,

David

David, just a few simple measurements. Get someone handy to help, otherwise a wife would do.
Sit on the floor, against the wall. Stand a set square or book on the floor, and place it against your hip (widest part), move to other side and repeat. Measure the distance between the square/book marks.
Measure from the floor to the sleeve seam on your shoulder. Only measure across your shoulders (seam to seam) if you're built like the Incredible Hulk.
Push your arse against the wall, and measure from the wall to 2/3 thigh.
That's it.

HI RORTY
JUST CLOCKED YOUR DESIGN IF I SEND YOU THE INFO CAN YOU DESIGN A SEAT FOR ME? LET ME KNOW ME YOUR PRICE(BE GENTLE).
CHEERS JON

Parksy, That's fine, just email me your measurements (oooh-er missus!), and when it's done, I'll sting you for a magazine subscription....I think my CCC one has run out.

Rorty
hips= 40 cm, wall to 2/3 thigh =44 cm, floor to shoulder seam = 58 cm. Am I deformed? or this is what you want price sounds good but what is ccc?
see you soon
parksy

CCC used to be a magazine about tuning and improving cars. Now it is about track days and making your Peugeot go faster. A bit like MaxPower without the tits. Bought March issue,and am giving it to the 2 year old to draw in- that way at least someone will get something out of it
Nice to see you back Rorty,hope all is well

Parksy, I'll make a start on your seat in the next day or so, and get back to you.
Robinbastd, OK, you've put me off CCC. It was indeed an excellent all-round mag at one time. What's good at the moment? Anything?
Thanks, it's good to be back.


Ooops! I forgot to ask, what is the maximum width you can accomodate in the seat area of your particular car?

[Edited on 16/2/03 by Rorty]

Welcome back Bruce, hows tricks?

Cheers

Chris

lo rorty
glad to see all your old contacts gettin back to you, you been away?, anyway max width for seat is about 42 cm. Lookin at the dimensions I gave you this means i have a fat arse???

Chrisg:

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Welcome back Bruce, hows tricks?

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max width for seat is about 42 cm. Lookin at the dimensions I gave you this means i have a fat arse?

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Parksy, the seat pattern is done. I could email it to you, though unless you have a CAD program, and can accept .dxf files, it would be best if I mail it to you.
Would you email me please?

rorty@iprimus.com.au

How heavy are one of these seat?

MK9R:

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How heavy are one of these seat?

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Are these seats OK for short arses? i ask because I am 5'9" and my dad is 5'8". as we wil be the only people to drive the car (when its done) i will need a seat (seats) that will fit. I am asking as a thought for the future really as I am only at the 'clean all the donor parts stage'

Cheers

James

auzziejim:

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Are these seats OK for short arses?

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well I found that CCC was going down hill as well
Zoom has always been a great mag
would u accept a slab?

regarding the weight.

You say they weigh 4-5 Kg
Does anyone know how much a fibreglass seat such as used by MK in the indy weighs for comparison?

PHULL:

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would u accept a slab?

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Does anyone know how much a fibreglass seat such as used by MK in the indy weighs for comparison?

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A mate who has just replaced his fibre glass seat with custom ali seats says it makes so much difference being weld ridged in the car rather than the seats bending around, he says you can feel what the back end is doing perfectly.

Rorty, i would really like a pair of these, if i send you the dimensions can you do me some. I may want 2 slightly different ones as two of us are sharing the car, so we could have a seat taylored to ourselves and make them easily swappable.

Just let me know what you want for them.

"regarding the weight.

You say they weigh 4-5 Kg
Does anyone know how much a fibreglass seat such as used by MK in the indy weighs for comparison?"


The seats i have put up for sale weigh in at 4.25 kilos each, and used a 8x4 sheet for the pair, my Carbon/Glass seats weigh 3 kilos.. any help?

MK9R:

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Rorty, i would really like a pair of these, if i send you the dimensions can you do me some. Just let me know what you want for them.

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