Best seats

Would love advice on the best seats to get for a StreetBeasts '55 "California" Speedster kit. I'm having enough fun getting the car together... I don't think I want to tackle putting the seats together. I've seen ads for Teal's... not really too concerned about staying "authentic" as I'm doing a lot of customizing along the way... any suggestions? Thanks!
Mike from Rochester

Cost consideration? If so go with Porsche 914 ones - be sure to get tracks and base unit along with the height gear teeth. $50-300+ depending on condition. I removed head rests for more period look but your call. Seat re-upholstery kits are still available if ya leave head rest on.

I fitted high back reclining buckets seats. I am very tall and found the standard seats were to uncomfortable and gave very little support. I think they look pretty good evenif I say so myself!

You can also try some Miata seats

Mike,

Constructing the seats can be daunting but there are possibilities. Guys on this site who have built a Streetbeast (I haven't) might recommend otherwise but if you like Speedster seats, have the seat shells, foam rubber and vinyl upholstery try taking everything (along with a photo of an original) to a couple of good upholstery shops and get estimates. You might be able to get a good useable set of seats that work with the car and not have to run into the difficulties of building them yourself.

Mike,,

You'll need to utlize the lowest seats you can find as the Street Beasts floor is not as deep as a JPS, CMC, VS etc.
Best to use the "orginal style" speedster seats that have the slotted seat backs. Also be careful in the seat track height selection. ~Alan

Michael: I am replacing the speedster seats in my IM with roadster seats. If you think they may work for you contact me at ralphl@jayrambo.com. The seats are one year old and are black leather with yellow piping. The yellow can be easily be changed.

Mike--have you considered the seats that Vintage Speedsters puts in their cars? I really like mine and feel that I could pile up a LOT of miles without getting worn out. Plus the rolled and pleated look is extremely well done.

The other thing I like about them is that the seat bottoms lift right out which provides a great place to put things---registration & ins. papers,etc.

Good luck with your car!----Jack

Hi, Jack

I have a VS speedster and never knew or thought about lifting the seat pads and using then for storage...thanks.

Yep--I also use the seats of my Vintage Speedster for storage. I have registration, insurance, a diagram of how to shift a VW for garage workers or mechanics who never shifted one, my logbook about the car (repairs, trips, gas fillups and mileage, etc).

I encourage anyone looking for seats to check out the Vintage seats. They look great with the rolled and pleated upholstry and are really well made with perfect fitting covers.

---Jack

Several folks have eluded that VS seats are slightly overstuffed Porsche 914 seats with headrest cut off. Is the mounting hardware 914? That would be dead give away if they rocked (adjusted) up and down in the front. Do you have any good closeup pictures of them? Looks like the way they are upholstered would be easier than the way the OEM 914 seats were done.

Wolfgang:

Who carries re-upholstery kits for 914 seats?


gn

There's a set that might be worth watching on eBay right now:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Porsche-356-Speedster-Replica-Black-Leather-Seats_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ33701QQihZ018QQitemZ280189277530QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW
Or, if Spartan is the goal and you don't mind polymer, JEG's catalogue has these for $35 or so. They're a mite uncomfortable on long trips:

Here's link to recovering 914 seats and a couple sources for the kits - of course if you cut head rests off like I did you're back to custom covers.

http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?showtopic=71844

http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?s=bc574e5c0966e8e57305d6fc17a39d14&showtopic=71844&st=20

i am very happy with my Mazda MX5 seats - they have got new leather on.

WOW! Once again I'm overwhelmed by the response and great advice.... I did go with the seats from Vintage Speedsters and with a little "newbie" luck got them installed relatively easily. They look great! Now it's on to something a little more challenging... installing the gas, brake and clutch peddles.... advice welcome!

Mike