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Has anyone thought of, or has already, put in proper back seats into a replica/kit?

 

I see on "rusty tubs" there's a back seating area "fix" -- But, it still looks like the back seats will be too high.

I looked under the glass in the back and only see about 1" to 2" of space between it and the frame (for me at least, not sure if this is typical). Not a lot of room to cut the glass, lower and re-glass or just put in aluminum, ...

 

Anyways, I was thinking when I put in a roll bar, I would lower the seating area, reglass and put in proper seats with belts. I've looked around, but not had much luck to find a thread.

 

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There is virtually no leg room back there. I cut inspection plate area out for the shifter coupler.  There is extra space either side of rear seat (for speakers maybe) and behind rear seats (for secure storage of tools, battery, gun smuggling or a gas heater). I've been looking at the locking cubbies used for boats to store phone/camera/notebook).

 

There "was" an English proper 4 seater replica Speedster that was on a full size VW pan - looked out of proportion but had more room.  Anyone save a picture of it? 

Really not a good idea.  In Michigan kids need to be in a booster until 8 or 4'9", whichever comes first.  I know that each state is different.  I can't imagine being 4'9" and sitting back there.

 

With the top down, there's no back seat because the top is stored there.  With the top up, it's mighty cramped.  The seats don't pivot forward, so they would either have to climb between the seats or over the seats.  No easy feat.

 

I have three sons, 25, 23, and 3.  The eldest have ridden in Natalie many times.  The younger one will have to wait until he's out of a booster seat.  Luckily for him, I'm sure that 4'9" will probably come before 8.

 

These are 4-wheeled motorcycles and they're best enjoyed like you would a motorcycle.

I don't know how old your kids are, but they ain't gonna stay small forever, and unless you stretch a 356 so there is considerable foot room behind the front seats, this is a pretty short term fix that, over time, might leave you with a car that is at best unique even among speedsters or at worst, an abomination.....

 

My twins were 9 when I acquired my speedy and they are almost 13 now. With the roof and frame out of the car, one could sit crosswise in the back and the other would sit in the passenger side seat.

 

That lasted from my house to the end of the street. Way too dangerous for the little guy in the back.

 

They aren't little any more and so we opt for the MB or the Volvo now.

 

To my eye, the stretched 356 above is just ugly, but my opinion only has value to me, and as Stan says, your mileage may very (along with your opinion.)

No, I didn't.

 

My plan is to tackle that in the next few months. I have, what I think is, a good plan.

 

CurrentSetupBackSeatsProposalSetupBackSeats
CURRENTPROPOSAL

 

The proposal lowers the butt of the back passengers by a few inches, making it feel less like they're floating above the front seats. It also keeps their heads below the windshield; for people under 6 foot.

 

I want to make these as buckets, like the following -- even if not functionally perfect, it's the look I'm going for, too. When the top is in the boot, the back will look good with the seats up, or down.

 

PorscheInteriorBuckets

 

 

 

Attachments

Images (3)
  • CurrentSetupBackSeats
  • ProposalSetupBackSeats
  • PorscheInteriorBuckets
Last edited by Loren W

That looks promising!  How is the knee room?  I have had two occasions where I needed to drive two adults and ended up in having one of them sitting sideways on the back shelf.  

 

I've toyed with the idea of scooching the front edge of the rear shelf back an inch or two and moving the front seats forward on their mounts (plus maybe switch to speedster seats instead of "comfort seats" so there would be less padding on the backs pushing the driver forward).  A more extensive project I've thought about would be to cut out the bench and back on both sides and then glass in the seat and backs of two simple plywood or plastic chairs, like the one below: 

 

Product Image

 

I decided this would be a project requiring skills I haven't developed and would require that the car be off the road for awhile during the warmer months (I don't have a heated garage).  The cost/benefit analysis didn't work out.  I haven't even gotten to the point of looking into where the frame hits the back shelf so I don't even know if either these ideas could be brought to fruition without having to modify the frame.

Last edited by Ted

I put sliding rails on my seats, and can scoot forward where it's still comfortable for me to drive and the feet room is "acceptable"; I say that loosely. Long drives would not be okay. I thought then, I'll just move the back bench backwards, but in mine, the frame is there and I'm not going to remove the body to attempt to reposition it.

 

The problem then becomes the back passenger's head. It's above the windscreen. Which is what I'm trying to solve by placing their butts at least 2" down. This will keep their heads below the windscreen.

 

 

So, my theory is, butts down, deal with the leg room and you can last 15 to 30 minutes in the car without a foot cramp.

 

Anyone over 5'10, larger than size 9's will probably have an issue. I'm size 13 and it doesn't feel too nice.

 

We have people ask for this semi-regularly.  Our lawyers will not allow us to install seat belts in the rear and we have to call them a "rear padded luggage tray", but we have done this in several styles; custom fabbed bench (no back), custom fabbed split bucket (fixed back) and with modified 911 rear seats (folding back).

Originally Posted by chines1:

We have people ask for this semi-regularly.  Our lawyers will not allow us to install seat belts in the rear and we have to call them a "rear padded luggage tray", but we have done this in several styles; custom fabbed bench (no back), custom fabbed split bucket (fixed back) and with modified 911 rear seats (folding back).

That sounds like good advice.  

 

Do you move the front edge of the shelf towards the rear for a little more room or is that simply not an issue with Beck's body mold? 

I'm not going to move the bar, so leg room will have to remain. My frame doesn't look like that picture though and I have 2" to drop the butt. Like Carey's customer, I'm carting my kids to/from school on back roads. Their ages are 11 / 5 / 6.

 

My 11 year old works with me on the car to do the things I do, so I feel it's just as much his as it is mine. My 5 year old sings while we do random things on it, ... so she's contributing.

 

 

Correct me if I'm wrong, but this only remotely works with the top up or completely removed (not easily done on a Beck since it's glued down), correct?  I keep thinking about MI state law which requires booster seat up until 4'9" or 8 years of age (whichever comes first).  I could never get this one past the boss.  My youngest son will probably hit 4'9" before he hits 8, but he's not riding in Natalie (except up & down the driveway) until then.

The top, as seen in my photo works fine when down actually - I tuck it in a boot and the seat is comfortable where it is. From messing with this concept, I could be wrong, I would guess that from Carey's picture the top would fit fine behind the back rest.

 

 

Regarding boosters, yes, they're required - But that's not an issue since the booster will fit in that space. I've measured. Regarding safety - this is why I'm also looking into a roll bar. Regarding obstruction of entering/leaving the vehicle - I'm looking into folding front seats, and collapsible roll bar.

 

All are challenges, but it's a tinker toy, let's tinker. Doing all of that and making it look good is another challenge.

 

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