Cobra Seats

BAsque1 · #1 (**permalink**) 05-14-2012, 06:27 PM

I have the West Coast model Cobra, 4' wider and 6' longer as a result the cockpit is roomier. The seats, however, do not have any back /lumbar adjustment. I know the regular Cobra seats don't have it either. but I have seen SPF and BD with aftermarket seats like Recaros etc. I am limited by the seat width to 19". Does anyone have any ideas as to a good source of aftermarket seats?
I am not crying

for comfort but unfortunately the better half had back surgery and these seats are not the most user friendly.
Suggestions appreciated. I will try to insert a picture of what I have now. in another email.
Tks guys
Basque1

coyote cruiser · #2 (**permalink**) 05-31-2012, 08:15 AM

Hey basque,

Funny you would post this so recently... I'm in the process of having a seat built for me as we speak, as I wasn't able to find any that I liked that still fit the car over the past year & a half of looking either. The Corbeau Classic Bucket seems to be a decent choice - it just didn't "pop" with me or fit me particularly that well.

I actually tested a friend's Sprint Cup Car seat in mine, which worked perfectly other than the obvious fit, finish & comfort issues of it being a pure racing seat. So the one I'm having built is of course starting out from a basic highback racing seat, but I'm adding lumbar, less agressive side bolsters, and a slightly shorter pan in the front for leg comfort. Then we'll start chopping the back down to fit as well as possible with the style of the car. If it works, then I'm hoping to add a heating element while I'm working with the upholsterer (not sure whether I'll stick to the builder's recommended "velour" or go with leather for a covering yet).

Anyway, I'll keep you posted as to how it turns out.

Larry

FWB · #3 (**permalink**) 05-31-2012, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coyote cruiser

Hey basque,

Funny you would post this so recently... I'm in the process of having a seat built for me as we speak, as I wasn't able to find any that I liked that still fit the car over the past year & a half of looking either. The Corbeau Classic Bucket seems to be a decent choice - it just didn't "pop" with me or fit me particularly that well.

I actually tested a friend's Sprint Cup Car seat in mine, which worked perfectly other than the obvious fit, finish & comfort issues of it being a pure racing seat. So the one I'm having built is of course starting out from a basic highback racing seat, but I'm adding lumbar, less agressive side bolsters, and a slightly shorter pan in the front for leg comfort. Then we'll start chopping the back down to fit as well as possible with the style of the car. If it works, then I'm hoping to add a heating element while I'm working with the upholsterer (not sure whether I'll stick to the builder's recommended "velour" or go with leather for a covering yet).

Anyway, I'll keep you posted as to how it turns out.

Larry

so your ditching the west coast seats?

are they black?....i'm looking for new seats. wanna sell your old ones?

Fred

coyote cruiser · #4 (**permalink**) 06-01-2012, 06:58 AM

Hey Fred,

I'll definitely need to wait & see how this new one works out first. I'd LOVE to be lower, have the extra legroom and side bolster, and be able to safely use the shoulder harnesses... but it really does say something that I can do 16-hour days in these stock seats without gripe of my bony butt each year that we run the Dragon & Cherohala, or I do the impromptu run to Florida or Boston.

But yes, they're black - and I'll let you know if it all works out & I decide to part with them!

Basque: just out of curiosity, has your wife tried a rice pack behind her lumbar region while sitting in the car, or is it more a matter of getting in and out? I've had back problems also, and I find the rice pack helps pretty well on trips.

IndyCobra · #5 (**permalink**) 06-01-2012, 07:13 AM

The Lone Star cars (also 4" longer) use seats out of a Mazda. Very comfy, nice lumbar support that is adjustable, and enough side support to keep you from sliding around.

PSB · #6 (**permalink**) 06-01-2012, 11:06 AM

I've got seats from a '90s Acura Integra in my Hunter Cobra. Very comfy, and I only paid $50 for the pair at a junkyard. I had them recovered in leather by a local upholstery shop.

In the car (before paint)

Pete

FWB · #7 (**permalink**) 06-01-2012, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coyote cruiser

Hey Fred,

I'll definitely need to wait & see how this new one works out first. I'd LOVE to be lower, have the extra legroom and side bolster, and be able to safely use the shoulder harnesses... but it really does say something that I can do 16-hour days in these stock seats without gripe of my bony butt each year that we run the Dragon & Cherohala, or I do the impromptu run to Florida or Boston.

But yes, they're black - and I'll let you know if it all works out & I decide to part with them!

thanks, please do.....mine are 30 years old....and very worn. it would be nice to have just a bolt in replacement that's identical to what i already have.....

you want to be lower you must be a tall one, half the time i'm sitting on a pillow...

BAsque1 · #8 (**permalink**) 06-01-2012, 04:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FWB

so your ditching the west coast seats?
Hi Fred:
are they black?....i'm looking for new seats. wanna sell your old ones?

Fred

not yet until I get something that fits my wife 's back issues and mine as well. These are not bad but after 1 hr or so they get uneasy to take with our back issues. I will keep you posted. They are gray.
Lou

BAsque1 · #9 (**permalink**) 06-01-2012, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coyote cruiser

Hey Fred,

I'll definitely need to wait & see how this new one works out first. I'd LOVE to be lower, have the extra legroom and side bolster, and be able to safely use the shoulder harnesses... but it really does say something that I can do 16-hour days in these stock seats without gripe of my bony butt each year that we run the Dragon & Cherohala, or I do the impromptu run to Florida or Boston.

But yes, they're black - and I'll let you know if it all works out & I decide to part with them!

Basque: just out of curiosity, has your wife tried a rice pack behind her lumbar region while sitting in the car, or is it more a matter of getting in and out? I've had back problems also, and I find the rice pack helps pretty well on trips.

No her problem is the neck where she had surgery, she has to slump down to fell half way decent.
Lou

BAsque1 · #10 (**permalink**) 06-01-2012, 04:17 PM

My daily driver is a 2011 Navigator and those seats are perfect, too bad I can't install those in.

coyote cruiser · #11 (**permalink**) 06-05-2012, 06:39 AM

Took me a while to find it again, but I can't seem to link the photo. If you'll go to "Xack"s profile on here though, you can see a photo of his West Coast with the Cobra Classic CS seats he's using in his build.

So there's the Classic CS at 18.9" width:
Classic CS - Historic - Cobra Seats

The Classic RS at 19.3" width:
Classic RS - Historic - Cobra Seats

The Clubman, which allegedly somehow worked at 19.69" width:
Clubman - Sports - Cobra Seats

...and those Mazda seats IndyCobra cited in the Lone Stars look right at home in the Cobra too.

Still looking for a pic of a Navigator seat in one...

This seems to be a common discussion amongst cobra owners though, so maybe we could ultimately get a fairly comprehensive list of seats that work well in Cobras out of this thread and sticky note it?

coyote cruiser · #12 (**permalink**) 06-05-2012, 06:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FWB

thanks, please do.....mine are 30 years old....and very worn. it would be nice to have just a bolt in replacement that's identical to what i already have.....

you want to be lower you must be a tall one, half the time i'm sitting on a pillow...

Wow... that's surprising to hear. I'm ~6'2", but most of my height is in my legs, not torso. Yet and still, my eye level is just under the frame of the windshield unless I purposely slump down some. Maybe different mounts or something on mine?

FWB · #13 (**permalink**) 06-05-2012, 08:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coyote cruiser

Wow... that's surprising to hear. I'm ~6'2", but most of my height is in my legs, not torso. Yet and still, my eye level is just under the frame of the windshield unless I purposely slump down some. Maybe different mounts or something on mine?

maybe the tracks are different? mine are only 3/4 to 1" high off the floor

coyote cruiser · #14 (**permalink**) 06-05-2012, 09:29 PM

I'll have to check mine the next time I have it out, but that sounds about right. Hmm...

Thor maine · #15 (**permalink**) 06-05-2012, 09:57 PM

The West Coast cobra seats are basically 70's Corvette seats, so seat options for the Vette should work for the West Coast Cobra

BAsque1 · #16 (**permalink**) 07-07-2012, 01:09 PM

Thor:
Humm that's something to think about a Corvette seat, my next door neightbor has a Mazda Miata I will try her car seat and see how it feels maybe I can get a nice pair and have it embroidered with a Cobra logo and new leather.
Tks Guys
Lou

BAsque1 · #17 (**permalink**) 07-07-2012, 01:25 PM

Thor:
I looked at the 70 Vette seats and they are foldable, something my Cobra seats don't have. I found this Recaro site and the attached link looks like this seat would fit.

BAsque1 · #18 (**permalink**) 07-07-2012, 01:39 PM

Darned the picture does not show, let me try this again

cycleguy55 · #19 (**permalink**) 06-08-2014, 02:46 PM

Anybody know if Recaro seats from an E30 BMW would fit a West Coast Cobra? These need new covers but the price is right: Recaro Sport Seats | other parts, accessories | Regina | Kijiji

cycleguy55 · #20 (**permalink**) 06-09-2014, 04:20 PM

Do you know which Mazda they came out of? Miata / MX-5 seats may be difficult to find in my neighbourhood.

Quote:

Originally Posted by IndyCobra

The Lone Star cars (also 4" longer) use seats out of a Mazda. Very comfy, nice lumbar support that is adjustable, and enough side support to keep you from sliding around.