Anyone using aftermarket seats?

[TurboFource]

As I want to drive TCST instead of heading down the path of major rusty seat rebuilding, is anyone running aftermarket seats? If so, what are they and how are they?

The original seats may go on a shelf for future me to deal with.

[Kendo]

I have never seen anyone here find one that fit and could slide all the way back (in case you are a taller sort).

[TurboFource]

I am “Chapman” sized …. But would still like the seat to be able to slide all the way back….

[EuropaTC]

The seats from the Elise might work but you'd have to make/modify custom seat runners to fit. They are narrow and basically just a fibreglass shell with minimal padding and, IMO, far too expensive for what they are ! I'd expect it would be cheaper to restore the Europa originals than buy s/h Elise seats.

I have seen similar shells sold as kit car/competition seats which would probably work, something like this;

https://www.kitcardirect.co.uk/products/fibreglass-low-side-high-back-seat-shell-grp

[BDA]

Summit Racing seems to have a wide variety of seats available: https://www.summitracing.com/search?SortBy=BestKeywordMatch&SortOrder=Ascending&keyword=seats

[berni29]

Hi

Personally I think the original Europa seats suit the car so well that it would be a shame to use anything else. I have no issues with custom trimming. Its not like Elans and in my case +2's where I refuse to use the standard seats because (at least on UK cars) there are no head restraints, and for me that is a total no-no. So both my +2's have aftermarket seats.

All the best

Berni

[TurboFource]

Are drawings with dimensions available?

[BDA]

I thought you had a rusty seat frame. Did I misremember?

[TurboFource]

I do ... really rusty ....

[BDA]

I would think your could make your own measurements though you may need to extrapolate a bit.

[TurboFource]

I will probably “wing” it …thought a drawing would be helpful

[Grumblebuns]

The Elise seats will definitely fit in the Europa with plenty of room. While I had the seats out of my Elise, I decided to do a fit test of the seats in the Europa. As can be seen in the photo, the Elise seats are a little bit narrower, quite a bit taller and a bit less reclined. Somehow they don't quite look right in the Europa. As Brian stated, they ain't cheap. All the ones I've seen for sale were asking close to $1000/ pair. If you can find a pair really cheap locally, might be worth looking into.

I have a pair of TC seats sitting on my storage shelf that I will sell but shipping costs may be a bit more than what you may want to spend. The other option is a bolt together TC seat system that someone was selling a few years back. I don't plan on using it and may put it up for sale. RDEnt was selling the same seats a couple of years ago, no longer on their website.     
 

[cwtech]

Wasn't someone selling the Europa seat parts in a "flat" kit, where the pieces were pre-cut but needed welding?

I see R.D. has seat tracks.

[EuropaTC]

That's a good set of comparison shots, I didn't realise how much narrower the Elise seats are compared with the OEM Europa ones. And the Elise seats you  have are the ones with extra padding, the S1 seats are even thinner on your backside !

I've never tried mine in the Europa and you're right, being much taller they do look out of place unless of course you're going for the competition/track car look.

Brian

[Clifton]

Intatrim has seats that fit. They have the basket weave too. Empi has a lowback that would work ok. I was close to buying some Intatrim but recovered mine last summer.

An old thread on seats when I was looking.
https://www.lotuseuropa.org/LotusForum/index.php?topic=3998.msg42502#msg42502

GT40 Intatrim