3.8 S1 seats...

[chronomatik]

I have recently bought a lovely S1 OTS 3.8 E-type, my first E-type actually hence the questions. The car has been lightly modified mechanically and aesthetically. Mechanically it's great but the interior is fitted with a (admittedly comfortable) set of MX5 seats.
I would like to replace these with some original style seats, and thought I had an easy solution as I was given a pair of S1 seats with the car, but these are the slightly wider FHC version which I now understand are a little too wide to clear the folding hood frame!

So now I basically have a lovely set of series 1 FHC seats finished in red leather, and a good condition set of MX5 seats in grey leather, which I would love to sell or swap for a set of series one OTS seats.

Where would be a good place to start looking, or to advertise the seats I have? (I can't see a for sale section on here). Or perhaps there is someone out there on this forum that would like to go in the opposite direction?

Thanks very much and best regards

Nick

[DWW]

Welcome, in the for sale / wanted section…

[Heuer]

Welcome to the Forum Nick.

You can advertise your FHC seats in our Wanted/For Sale section but please read the rules first. You can buy reproduction OTS 3.8 seats from SNGB amongst others: https://www.sngbarratt.com/English/#/UK ... %60seat%60

If you are planning on using the car regularly I would strongly suggest you keep the MX5 seats. The 3.8 seats, whilst they look good, are not particularly comfortable and have little lumbar support. More importantly they lack headrests. Get rear ended in an E-Type and it will be the end of your driving days and those of your loved one. The E-Type is very small compared to modern cars, as are the lights, which means you are vulnerable from being a victim of inattentive drivers. It is a popular conversion and many of us have done it: viewtopic.php?f=9&t=2215

We have driven our E-Type through Europe and covered 50,000 miles and my wife would leave me if I took the MX% seats out! You can swap out the MX5 seats and replace with the originals in about 30 minutes so one set for show, the other set for touring.

[caveman]

Frames readily available:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/115775048672 ... R8qszKbEYg

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/152067779138 ... R8qszKbEYg

[typea59]

Hi Nick,

What is the serial number of your OTS?

I potentially have a pair of black leather seats of the second version, after serial number 877356, allowing longer slides.

They’re in France (Brittany).

Cheers

Loïc

[chronomatik]

Thank you for all the replies and advice, its really appreciated. I would like to buy a set of the correct seats at least to use for part of the time, so please let me know if you have any for sale. Loïc I have sent you a PM.

I will try and list my FHC seats once I can work out how to do it!

Best regards

Nick

[rswaffie]

I had the correct ‘bucket’ seats in my 63 fhc and I did not find them uncomfortable at all. I’m a smidge under 6ft and made several journeys of over 300 miles as well as plenty of shorter trips and they were fine. In fact, I found them more comfortable than the seats in my wife’s 2015 Mini Cooper.

[chronomatik]

thanks, it does seem to be a very personal issue...the mx5 seats are certainly comfortable but the early seats seem fine to me as well..