I have IM 12169. Tube framed. Came with real 356 seats/rails. the outside top corner of the seat back hits the body by the door post top. I know the 356 seats are positioned closer together in a real 356, due to the nearly flat 'tunnel' on factory cars, so with the small hump tunnel in the IM, the seats are just enough farther apart so that the IM body interferes with them ( can't recline them ) Has anyone else had this issue??? I my have to get a pair of the seats IM makes, and sell these factory seats. Has anyone had success with any other the type of seat/headrest combo that "looks old stock" ????
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I had the same problem when selecting seats for Kirk to install in my VS. I wanted the roadster seats which were wider and looked a lot more comfortable than the Speedster seats. The problem was I'm only 5'8" and still couldn't move the roadster seat back quite enough for leg room. The top outer corner of the seat hit the body. It turned out the Speedster seats are really nice fitting and now I have a ton of leg room. The roadster seats are just too wide for the car.
You could dismantle seats and cut a 2" section out of them and recover with one less pleat. Here's what seat bottom looks like bare - just cit and reweld.
Darkbeer;
I had 914 seats in my CMC, they fit fine, and mounted to rails from VS. The head rest is all part of the seat so you can't remove it, except with a saw. ( I have actually heard of people doing this. (The shell is a one fiberglass affair.)
I replaced them with quasi roadster seats from VS. Unlike original 356 seats these have a raised bolster on the seat bottoms and slightly up the side for hard driving support. No springs though like the original 356. They are a tight fit, but the seat goes back far enough for me, but I'm vertically challenged @ 5'9". I haven't tried them out yet, I have some road ready issues first.
The 914 seats are camel/tan. If you are interested let me know I'll send you some pics.
Art
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Hey Art,
Where are you located and how much are you looking to get for the 914 seats?
Frank
914 seats are narrow (like 18") - 356 seats are probably 23" inches. The seat back on 914 only tilts with the lower seat cushion (using the OEM brackets and ajuster teeth) since the seat is one piece. I cut off the 914 head rest (fiberglass shell with no steel reinforcing) on a pair I may use so they look for 356ish. 356 have a nice chrome seat back adjuster mechanism to adjust the seat backs and allow access to rear seat.
Hi Art,
I sent you a private message about your seat. I am interested to know more.
Thanks,
Eddy
Frank I sent you a dialog.