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Triumph TR6 - Seat Replacement Options

Could use some input here guys. Looking at the cost of buying seat covering and foam kits from any of the usual distributors as being ultra expensive (approx $1012USD + shipping) I'm wondering if there is something out there that fits a TR6 aside from Miata seats. I already have somebody on the hunt for a set of those. I saw Fiero seats in MGB's on-line and they are very nice but I could not get dimensions. I would be very interested in the Fiero seats if they would fit and if any were available. See them here - www.MrMikes.com
I looked at the aftermarket seats such as Corbeau, Sparco and Cobra, etc and they all seem too wide at 22" vs the TR6's 18" at the front (thighs). Sure would like to hear of an alternative to covering the TR6 seats that could be done cheaper. The Moss Classic Leather Seat and the Revington TR seats are way beyond my budget. Thanks and Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year to you all.
Cheers,
Bob
1976 TR6

Bob Evans

Dosn't MrMikes.com have leather covers for tr seats? I know Bob Danialson bought leather covers for his seats from them, but maybe they were for his Miata seats, I'm not sure. Do Miata seats seem to be getting rarer? I keep looking for a pair every now and then and havn't been able to find any for a few years now.

Rob
rw loftus

Hi Bob

I suspect that the main problem you are having finding Miata seats is location, rather than availability. I have never been to Newfoundland, but it doesn't sound like a big market for open top cars! Obviously there are some people with the good sense to enjoy al fresco motoring or you wouldn't be here!

I finally decided to go with Miata seats a month or so ago, and within 24 hours I had found 3 sets that matched my requirements (I wanted black cloth seats in useable condition). I tried Craigslist, ebay and a miata forum. The forum was the best source of sensibly priced seats, and the sellers seemed happy to find a big box and ship the seats. I deleted the link, but when I first started looking at Miata seats a few years ago I foudn a place that specialised in breaking Mazdas (I think in Pennsylvania), and they had lots of options at the time, with a quite reasonable fixed shipping fee. Of course, I can't remember the name and can't find a link now...

One set was about 20 miles away, so there was no shipping cost on top of the $200 the seller wanted. They are not in the best condition, but they are ceretainly passable, and a huge improvement over the originals. The ones I bought were from a '96 - 15 years old, so I can't expect them to be showroom fresh. I still see the Mazda as a new car, but the oldest ones are over 20 years old now. If you don't mind replacing the covers on the Mazda seats then there are plenty about, but the you are looking at a much higher cost.

I did see a thread on BCF abotu someone who was trying to fit Fiero seats into a GT6 - last I looked he was cutting the foams which seems like a lot of trouble, and would require new covers. Of course, a GT6 is even more "snug" than a TR6!

Cheers
Alistair
A Hewitt

I dunno, something about a "modern" looking seat in the classic TR that looks all wrong to me. Not my "Cup o Tea" as they say. I'm not in mine for extremely long jaunts, thats not what I bought the car for. I bought the car for it's classic good looks and it's simplistic design...as far as the cost of the foam and covers just about any decent upolstry shop worth their salt shoud be able to foam up a seat and produce covers for it for way less then the price stated in the opening thread + if your going to put "Fiero" or Miata seats I doubt seriously if they are going to "slip" right in and look right as covered from stock. To me the cost of getting, fitting and recovering the "other" seats just doesn't add up to just re-foaming and re-covering the TR seats. Not to mention the "de-valueing" the TR by adding the modern seats to it. (my opinion, don't shoot)
JT White

Alistair:
You are right - as in real estate, location, location, location counts. Not the hottest spot in the hemisphere but not as gag nasty here in Newfoundland as some would like you to believe. While convertibles abound out here on the east coast, our market, limited by a small population is much smaller hence the scarcity of such parts that would be available in significant numbers in large US cities. I've got a friend having a look in Ontario and may strike a set there but it sure would be nice to only drive 20 miles and look at a few myself. Scrap yards here say good luck finding a set of Miata seats - ain't happening. But I really like the look of the Fiero seats though and found a set locally just this afternoon. Just waiting for the guy to provide measurements and pics and pricing if appropriate. BTW, Bob Danielson has Miata seats in his TR6.
JT: local shops want a king's ransom to do seats. Again, market location probably. More than one member here has switched to Miata seats and are pleased with their choice. Recovering them is standard procedure for most. Not really worried about devaluing my TR6 as the original seats will be sitting on a shelf in my garage - probably never sell the car anyway. Respect your opinion and preferences though - no shots fired :0).
Cheers,
Bob
Bob Evans

Bob,

Here are a few links to seats for sale at miata.net:

http://forum.miata.net/vb/showthread.php?t=443829

http://forum.miata.net/vb/showthread.php?t=418325

http://forum.miata.net/vb/showthread.php?t=440956

http://forum.miata.net/vb/showthread.php?t=440802

http://forum.miata.net/vb/showthread.php?t=437095

http://forum.miata.net/vb/showthread.php?t=436757

Basic rundown: NA is first generation (to 98), NB is second (99-05) and NC is third (2006 up) sub categories in each. NA and NB seats should be no problem, don't know about NC ones but just based on eyeballing think they would work as well, get out a tape measure. Note on the NC, 2008 up include height adjustment.

You would need to PM the individuals and to to do that you would need to "cowboy up" at the site. The commercial places have points of contact listed. You might also check out the "Marketplace" portion of the site for additional sources. My first "go to" would be MazMart as they are local and I've known Paul over there for a very long time. It looks like the only ones he has at the moment are some blue ones out of a special edition car, so they are rather pricey.

There are also lots of folks from Canuckastan on that site in addition to us folks from Baja Canada so they could perhaps give you some pointers on sources as well.
SteveP1

Thanks Steve. A wealth of information as usual. Much appreciated.
Bob
Bob Evans

Bob,

Don't know why I didn't think to give this a look earlier, several sets of seats, from the MX-5 Atlanta BBS:

http://www.mx5atlanta.com/forums/showthread.php?t=14728
SteveP1

Bob...

I'm not sure what you budget is but you may want to check out a company by the name of Sports and Classics. They have some really nice vintage style seats that fit all of the TR series cars and seem to be of high quality. The frames are made of aluminum. You can find them on ebay... They sell panel and full interior kits for TR's as well.
DWS Smith

Hi DW:
Thanks, I looked those up and saw they are non adjustable with no headrests and very expensive for what you get, at least in my opinion, but thanks for pointing them out. That's why I posted - looking for options. Budget is a factor if only because of the exorbitantly high cost of the Moss, TRF kits etc. The $2400 Moss Classic Leather seats are a good match to original TR6 seats but way too expensive. I'm not sold on the "look" of the Miata seats but they are an option if available. My wife complains about the TR6 being uncomfortable on a long Sunday drive and I want to do a couple of the New England and vicinity Triumph and/or Brit Car events. The driver's seat was done (long story) when I got the TR but the passenger seat is bad and I've sat in it while a buddy drove so I see her point. Miata seats seem to solve the problem for everybody who has tried them. But I much prefer the look of the Fiero seats and have driven the Fiero and found it comfortable so if they fit I'd like try try a set of those. I located a set for sale here and after Christmas the guy will measure and take pics and if the measurements are right and they're not junk I'll go look at them. At $699 for a leather kit from Mr Mike's upholstery place and $200 or so for the seats I could have a nice, comfy setup. Alternatively, she wants me to buy a Z4 and I gotta admit, that's not really such a big burden that I couldn't suffer through it. Meantime, any suggestions still welcome.
Cheers,
Bob
P.S. Charlie B: she's still telling me I should buy that Z4 I had for Thanksgiving weekend. Umm, eldest daughter just got a good job & needs a car. If I gave her my 2008 Mazda 3 and the payments thereon, kept the new Mazda 6 and bought the Z4 I'd still have the TR6 and could drive the Z4 as a year-round daily driver and keep the TR6 for good weather.......
Bob Evans

Bob...I have been thinking about seats for a while now as it's a huge investment and there are a number of options out there. I have decided to go the OE recondition route to keep her as original as possible. Many guys have gone the Miata route and are very happy with the look and level of comfort...
DWS Smith

Does anyone make the brackets to install Miata seats in the TR6 now?
DL Harding

Boy, Steve is a treasure to the club, hope to meet him someday.
Kypros Christodoulides

Yes, Can't remember who though
Don Kelly

This thread was discussed between 20/12/2011 and 11/01/2012

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