Hello
I have looked through the archives but cannot find any relevant information thus far.
To put it in a nut shell I am considering fitting new seats to my Elan Sprint but have several queries that hopefully someone can answer.
The seats I propose to fit are Cobra Classic CS or RS style seat http://www.cobraseats.com/_Classic
Size wise I think they will just go in. I have contacted Cobra and several suppliers and it comes as no surprise that a specific sub frame/seat runner assembly is not available for the Elan.
Has anyone fitted this type of seat recently using the Cobra supplied runners?
If so what if any modifications were required?
The reason for this is that I am looking for a suitable seat for the more mature gentleman that has a head restraint.
Failing all else I suppose I could get the original seats recovered.
Any advice/help gratefully received.
Thanks MickG
I have nothing to add except I really like the one covered in red. Less bolster and a higher head restraint.
Also, it is narrower than the CS. Might fit a bit better. Maybe it can be done in black.
Sorry, continue on…
Greg Z
I’d would think that they would be tight, they may fit but I am glad you’ll be the one spending the money to find out. 
I don’t think they will slide back and forward easily in any event but the only way to find out is to order one and try it.
Gary
We have a Classic in the Mini- it is not for anything other than a “quite skinny mature Gentleman”, the bit your arse goes in is much narrower than the Elan seats, the side bolsters are quite thick, come much further forward then Elan seats and the Classic grips your hips with two steel tubes beneath the padding, not at all comfortable for me!
The Elan seat is 470mm wide and completely fills the gap twixt sill and tunnel, the Cobra is 480mm wide, so might not even squeeze in (bear in mind the hidden steel side frame).
I think that the modern seats which Elan folks have fitted are the sort used in Caterhams.
Thanks for the comments so far guy’s.
Gary,
Thanks for taking the time to do the measuring. I have measured between the tunnel and sill and it is 470mm and a bit. I thought the bit might be enough. I am asking the questions from you knowledgeable people before spending any cash 
Pete
I personally am quite a short skinny arse (5’9 / 30 inch waste) the misses would be a problem though.
Thanks for the comfort report, not what I hoped to hear.
I was also concerned about the fitting and adjustment of the seats, anybody any experiance of this?
All in all seems not to be such a good idea. Perhaps it’s down to recovering the existing with a bit of additional seat padding.
Thanks again
MickG
Mick,
Why not shoot over to Burton Power in Ilford and try one for size?
First port of call Pete.
Unfortunately they did not have one in stock despite what their web site says.
MickG
Hi Mick,
How about getting your seats re-covered and converted to Federal specification. See this old thread for information http://www.lotuselan.net/forums/elan-f14/elan-seats-t25529.html
If you do decide to go the Corbeau / Cobra route make sure you carefully store your old seats and don’t even dream of selling them on. Original seats are eye wateringly rare and expensive when you need some!
Regards
Alan (Down under in Perth Australia)
If you are “sinking” into the seat get them rebuilt to standard, it is likely that the foam is quite compressed. resist the urge to have “extra” foam installed, they will be quit full if rebuilt properly. Nix the head restraints of the federal seats, I don’t like them much, I’m 5’ 7" and they hit me in the middle of my neck, not too comfortable for me anyway.
Thats my 2 cents
Gary
Hello Mick ,any update on the seat replacement ? , I found an alternative that looks good , but sure who makes them ! regards Pete.
Thanks for that Pete.
They look very much like the Cobra Classic RS seat, a little to wide unfortunately.
After much deliberation and advice received I have decided to stick with the original seats and get them recovered.
Thanks to all those that have taken the time to reply.
Mick G
I have BF-Torino “Silverstone” seats, they have the same angle are much more comfortable and fit perfectly into the limited space a Elan offers.
shop.bf-torino.com/bf-autositze/ … re=default
The quality of BF-Torino is outstanding, absolutely not comparable to the cheap Cobra classic seats.
dietmar
Hi Dietmar,
Thanks for the information, they look like a good replacement and as you say small enough to fit.
How did you fit the seats? what type of runners/adaptors did you use?
Thanks Mick G
According to their website they have about 430mm width which is pretty small. They do not provide much lateral support, so more or less you sit on top of them.
The seats are mounted on the offered seat rails.
The main difference between a original Elan seat and the Silverstone seat is the headrest and the fact, that they have a better upholstery.
I also have BF Torino “N?rburgring B14R” for about 8 years in my Mini convertible, even after that time and moe than 60.000km driving they show no signs of wear.
dietmar
Mick,
I don’t know if you have noticed, in the other seat thread, that Elise seats can be fitted- they look like a good option for a road car and might be available readily second-hand.
http://www.lotuselan.net/forums/elan-f14/alternative-seats-that-fit-t22949.html
Mate. you are a brave, brave man!
Hi further on the seat theme . I’m sure this will horrify some members but I aim to replace the seats in my +2 ,there I’ve said it! The trim is completely shot which I aim to have reupholstered however the standard seats are to big for the car and are complete rubbish(sorry) . Has anybody utilised seats from another car MX5, Smart etc.
John…
Salut Jaybee
If you search the forum you’ll find lots of references and some photos of MX-5 seats - lots are happy with them and they are probably the easiest and cheapest to find and in a wide choice of materials. Spyder apparently use XJS seats but they really are a tight squeeze - I tried them for size. I was going to fit X1/9 seats (old 1300 model) and they looked a good fit but I found some +2 fed seats - I was after a neck/head rest. I’ve seen (in photos) Elite/Eclat seats in a +2 and they look a good match style-wise if you’re also after headrests (but be careful they might make access to the back seats (more) difficult). Think somebody fitted MGB seats, too. Then there are all the new offerings - just check the width.
@+
Vernon
John,
I’ve seen a few +2’s with MX5 seats and they look OK, I have fitted S1 Elise seats to my +2. They are a bit thin on padding but are a very good shape also access to the rear seats is restricted.
Cheers
John
Hi Jaybee,
Have Jaguar XJS Seats in my +2 at the moment.
Bit of a tight fit width wise in the car, but fine.
Not as comfortable as my original Lotus (1973) seats though they do provide a small amount of lateral support and do have headrests.
Pics from 2009. Car is now a different colour and seats have blended in very well.
Peter