seats

Most people use one of these two:

  Speedster Seats

  Comfort Seats

There are other options such as bare metal aluminum seats, carbon fiber, Porsche 914 seats, Chrysler LeBaron seats cut down, and any other number of options but the two I pictured are the most common. Both are very comfortable (at least to me) and I've driven my car as many as 6-8 hours in a day. Others will say they are a two hour seat, a four hour seat, or something similar. Only you can decide how long you'll sit in it and be comfortable.

Just a heads up. Not everybody takes to the seats in the same way. The "comfort seats" (the tan ones in the picture) were instruments of torture for me with my first car. I'd have called them 30 minute seats, if that.

The speedster buckets are quite a bit better, especially the wider versions in the red car.

Fair and balanced: if you are small statured, you'll find the comfort seat provides better visibility over the dash. I'm taller than Napoleon, but at 5'5" the comfort seats give me a heads up and absorb the occasional bounces in the car. Now, I drive on a really,really occasional basis on the 405. If I were intending to race my car, had no need to see out of the wind screen, much like a Navy Corsair, then I'd opt for the buckets. Instead, my car will tend to be in the sun and garaged nightly. So, the vinyl will endure California sun better than leather. 

Or, you can order Roadster/Convertible D seats from Intermeccanica - very comfortable.  I don't know if they fit all Speedsters, but they are so nice to look at.

Robert M posted:

Most people use one of these two:

  Speedster Seats

  Comfort Seats

There are other options such as bare metal aluminum seats, carbon fiber, Porsche 914 seats, Chrysler LeBaron seats cut down, and any other number of options but the two I pictured are the most common. Both are very comfortable (at least to me) and I've driven my car as many as 6-8 hours in a day. Others will say they are a two hour seat, a four hour seat, or something similar. Only you can decide how long you'll sit in it and be comfortable.

Thanks for this comparison, @Robert M!  I'm with @Stan Galat on the comfort rating of the "comfort seats."  Oddly, although they offer more padding than the Speedster buckets, the surface area to accommodate your can is actually smaller than that in the buckets.  Although the rails along the sides LOOK nice and comfy, they can put the pinch on your hips unless you're pretty slim back there.  I have the Speedster seats, and they're okay by me.  Gotta admit, though, my kiester is looking longingly at those Roadster seats from Intermeccanica...

Cory McCloskey posted:

  Comfort Seats

I'm with @Stan Galat on the comfort rating of the "comfort seats."  Oddly, although they offer more padding than the Speedster buckets, the surface area to accommodate your can is actually smaller than that in the buckets.  Although the rails along the sides LOOK nice and comfy, they can put the pinch on your hips unless you're pretty slim back there.  I have the Speedster seats, and they're okay by me.  Gotta admit, though, my kiester is looking longingly at those Roadster seats from Intermeccanica...

Cory nails this. Unless your hips are very narrow (like 16 y/o kid narrow), you end up sitting on the side bolsters of the "comfort" seats. They are not just upholstered bolsters-- they're fiberglass lips. You end up sitting on the lips along the side, which is about as comfortable as it sounds.

... and he's right about IM's "roadster" seats as well. They're 1000 mi./day comfortable. 

I have the comfort seats. The back is ok, but, as Stan and Wolfgang can attest, I may be twice blessed in the keister area. Thus I'm good for about 100 miles before the discomfort sets in from the side bolsters (think pincers).

At that point I have to get out and allow the return of blood flow to my gluteus maximus. 

However, most of my driving is 50 miles or less before I get out so it only becomes an issue once in awhile.

Is your car VW pan based?  That can limit width of seat you can use (18-20").  The seats above look like Miata sets (NC?).  My wife laughed at the CMC seat kit - fiberglass buckets, 4 hunks of precut foam, snap on rubber trim and a glue on vinyl cover with carpet on the back.  I have a pair of bright red CMC buckets and 914 seats with cut off headrests.  The buckets accept maybe a 36" waist with an accommodations butt - they are tight but with no butt sliding.  Be sure to add electric seat heaters - nice even in FL.

17" at the base is all you have between the tunnel and inner rockers w/ carpet it's a bit tight.

Thanks for the replies. I plan on driving it 4 to 6 hours at a time so i need something sort of comfortable. Might have to check out the Miata seats.

DAVID BAYNE - BAYNIAC posted:

David, Do you know what these seats are out of?

I have the "comfort seats" and my limit is about the same as how far I can drive before filling up. 

The red and black appear to be ~2000 Mazda Miata seats.  They also come in leather.  Most seem to have head rest speakers. 

Yes, they're Miata seats.  Personally, I don't think they look right in a speedster.

A special addition Miata did come with two piece seats and they would look okay in a speedster, but they're very hard to come by.

DrClock has used the stainless steel Miata (mousetrap) show roll bars - In a non-classic Speedster it would look good with the Miata seats which trace the same curves.

Here's picture of Syl's Candy - but with low Speedster seats

I have a new Miata roll bar still in plastic...............

Alan:  I do think you have at least one of everything...

" Draining The Swamp " one part at a time.

I've got a set of 1990 Miata seats. Black cloth. They are not light for shipping. If somebody wants them, p.m. me and shoot me an offer. 

Stan,  Greyhound is the bargain place for shipping heavy stuff.

I just checked and my local pick n save has a Miata just in with tan seats. I have to check, but either Thursday or Friday they have seat day. By one get one free! I'll let you know how it turns out.

FWIW. The cut down 914 seat with new skins look really good in a speedster...

I have always really liked how my Miata seats look with the double hump Miata roll bars.  Many observers have said that they look like they belong there as in factory correct if there were such a thing.  It had kit Speedster seats which I found to be majorly uncomfortable !!! They did come with 3 speakers in each seat.  Junk yards sell them out fast.  They are hard to find. I paid $70 for the pair and had them recovered.  I've been riding in them for 7 years with no complaints.

There are pre-made seat covers for the Miata seats too - very inexpensive compared to custom upholstery.  Check out MossMiata for real leather for $299 a pair. 

Well, I got there today and the seats were gone already..Bummer.. Well i got to thinking about Neon seats that i had used in Samurais (witch are about 4' wide) that worked without a hitch after changing the tracs.  Plenty of them on the lot and most looked like new. Seat day is Tuesday and that means 1/2 off! 

Bob: IM S6 posted:

Or, you can order Roadster/Convertible D seats from Intermeccanica - very comfortable.  I don't know if they fit all Speedsters, but they are so nice to look at.

 

I think the IM is more Six Foot Friendly than other Speedster formats . I chose a Beck mainly because I could fit in it, but secondly, I the IM's are significantly more pricey, albeit more road-friendly...and I wish I had one...

Meade

Plus the IM leather is like you just put on your best Unterwäsche. 

You wear leather Unterwäsche?  Kinky!!!

No Marty just drives around naked in his car...with his driving gloves.  Maybe some driving shoes...but that's it.  Maybe a hat...you get the picture.

That's a picture I don't want to see...

The Spinneybeck leather Henry uses is quite nice...and the Speedster seats are full day driveable. 

Lol, it's the mental picture that cracked me up  

BTW, Phil, Bob and Marty, if your Spinneybeck leather has any wear spots you can order the dye right from Spinneybeck in New York and touch up those areas. 

P.M. me and I'll give you guys the details. Ray

Bob, everytime I look at your car I think your colour combo is awesome. 

https://www.spinneybeck.com/

Is this the web site?

Yes I'll PM you the info. 

I actually ordered a little more leather from Henry, and I'm going to get a local upholsterer to make me some 'slip covers' for the driver's side bolster.  That seems to be one major wear area - getting in and out of the car wears the leather out there.

I'll do the passenger side also, but that doesn't need it as much.

Bob.  Not sure I'd bother with the passenger side unless you have a constant companion.  My car is 8 years old with 23k miles and passenger side seat looks brand new.

You can redye that and then use Leatherique to lubricate the leather to keep it soft that will prevent more wear... Finally, a few squats daily to get that body in shape  I am doing those myself got to keep moving ... 

Coming soon to a theatre near you: 

'Commando in a 356'  

Staring El Guapo, as the west coast enforcer, Danny Pipster as the tuner, Mr Clean as the Preacher, ALB-Tech Consultant, Henry Reisner as the Mad Scientist, Marty G-Wardrobe, TRP-Extra Parts, Dr DeManto gets credit for all deleted scenes,   Dr Clock, as the Friendly Neighborhood Mechanic, GERD-Refreshments, Medic-Fear the Yorkie, Wolgang (kind of owns a 356-drives a Miata) Gordon-just to make the story longer. Art Director-Mr Cheese Drewek, Carey Hines- the voice of reason.  Original screenplay by Terry Knuckles.   This movie is not yet rated.