ERA Comp Seat vs. Kirkey Vintage

[Joe's Garage]

Just to give you an idea of the cost, I got quotes for ERA and SPF seats -

ERA $1950 each in vinyl
SPF $1250 each in leather

Compare that to cobra roadster SR seats in vinyl @ $449 each, makes you scratch your head. Google cobra roadster sr seats and you will see they look good, reviews are also positive.

[gsharapa]

I had a Kirkey in my last Cobra and the seat cover is thin but the seat is fine it's the back that was a bit too thin. I put a piece of memory foam on the aluminum back and it was really nice. Sit really low in the car.

[Dangerous Doug]

Well, it's not April 1 yet so, seriously? Each?

Well, their business(es) are complete cars, so high seat prices keep them from becoming seat manufacturers.

A couple of these (in 15", 16", 17" or 18" widths):
Kirkey 41V Series Aluminum Vintage Class Bucket Seats - Free Shipping on Orders Over $99 at Summit Racing

...and a couple of these:
Search Results for kirkey vintage Bucket Seat cover - Free Shipping on Orders Over $99 at Summit Racing

...and you're covered with 2 seats for less than $650.

You'll need some seat rails, unless you're taller than 6' and want to bolt the seats to the floor.

Seems to me that Kirkey supplies a nice product which is relatively inexpensive.

If you have your own seat brackets fabricated, you can modify as necessary for seat height AND for back rake (degree laid back).

I think the pricing signal from SPF and ERA is pretty clear. They don't want to sell individual seats.

DD

[LightNFast]

Here's another example of the Kirkey Vintage in my FIA and layout comparison to the real deal - 2323!







..

[razerwire]

Anyone know if Steve Sunshine, I believe it's Steve, is still making the comp seats? I have one in my car and it doesn't have much padding but it is shaped such that it's very comfortable, better that Shelby seat and custom copy's of original seats I have in Bennett car. Kid's out of town so picture is out of question (:-)





























bennett car

[1985 CCX]

Steve Sunshine was making "Ken Miles Seats" and now is sourcing same seat no brand, I suggested "SSS" Steve Sunshine Seat. They are awesome....

ERA makes seats as the AC company did, great!

SPF, how are their seats constructed?
Steel tube
Bladder
Correct pleats etc??

Please educate?

[CompClassics]

If we are talking 289 "FIA" seat than it should look like the driver's seat in this photo of CSX2345 (unrestored, mostly original). The later comp seat used in comp 427 Cobras and GT350Rs are a completely different seat.

[CompClassics]

...another angle.

[CompClassics]

Or....

[1985 CCX]

Call Craig Combs, he will roll out the comp seat in alloy.....

[LightNFast]

A few more examples of 289 comp racing seats. Notice how short and curved the backs are in the vintage photos.




Also, the following appears to be a really nice replica... kind of wish I'd seen this one first!

"Hawk Cars now have exact replicas of the racing FIA seats used in the 289 FIA cars in stock. They are a strong fiberglass bucket construction, come with a base frame, and a removable padded vinyl cover."


http://www.the289register.com/member...ucketseat1.jpg


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[1985 CCX]

Think that's a GT350 seat, No?
The FIA seats are what is in 2345, its also the only unrestored car. Probably best basis for facts.

[CompClassics]

Let's see CSX2345, the ONLY 289 FIA team Cobra to exist in largely non-restored condition has a seat that differs from yours but you have the proper "FIA" seat? The photos that you reference can be broken down like this...

1) Upper left, very hard to see seat, photo of a restored "USRRC" Cobra.

2) Lower left, you used this as a reference for a driver's seat?! You can't even see the seat. By the way I spoke with the SAI team mechanic that was the crew chief for this Cobra and the mechanic that built this Cobra when delivered to SAI and he said that he put the same seat as the other "FIA" Cobras used.

3) Upper right is Ken Miles personal "USRRC" team Cobra, note the dash layout it is unique to this Cobra. This is the seat that was used in subsequent SAI race cars like the comp 427 and the GT350Rs. There were many "one off" features on this Cobra that other Cobras did not receive.

4) Another one of those poor reference photos.

[LightNFast]

Originally Posted by CompClassics

Let's see CSX2345, the ONLY 289 FIA team Cobra to exist in largely non-restored condition has a seat that differs from yours but you have the proper "FIA" seat? The photos that you reference can be broken down like this...

1) Upper left, very hard to see seat, photo of a restored "USRRC" Cobra.

2) Lower left, you used this as a reference for a driver's seat?! You can't even see the seat. By the way I spoke with the SAI team mechanic that was the crew chief for this Cobra and the mechanic that built this Cobra when delivered to SAI and he said that he put the same seat as the other "FIA" Cobras used.

3) Upper right is Ken Miles personal "USRRC" team Cobra, note the dash layout it is unique to this Cobra. This is the seat that was used in subsequent SAI race cars like the comp 427 and the GT350Rs. There were many "one off" features on this Cobra that other Cobras did not receive.

4) Another one of those poor reference photos.

I never implied I had the “proper FIA seat”… only that the overall layout resembled 2323 and thought the photo would serve as a nice example of the Kirkey seat.

But since you thought my last reference photos were “poor” I’m including another one, and this time it's of your golden reference car FIA 2345 at Spa 1964.
Lower left is my Superformance tribute to 2323; right is CompClassics 7000 Series tribute with a seat I guess somewhat replicates what Alan Mann installed in 1965.





I remain hopeful that at least others will find this photo useful in helping them to make an informed decision… and based on their own judgment.

As a side note: I find your comments to be snarky and with little to no substance.


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[CompClassics]

The photo is very unclear, looks like something propped up against the seat possibly the folded up tonneau cover? Why would you not believe someone that was there when all of this was happening?
Your calling me "snarky", I guess you would know.

[Dangerous Doug]

So, if trying to emulate a "FIA" Cobra the seat type from CSX2323 would be correct (the style supplied by ERA), but if trying to emulate the Dan Gurney CSX2345 Cobra then a Kirkey seat would do the trick.

Either seat reflects moments in history for these cars, and it becomes a matter of taste.

I like my CSX2323-style FIA seats in black leather, but the CSX2345-style Kirkey seats like the Gurney Cobra look cool and are more affordable.

DD

[xb-60]

Originally Posted by LightNFast

....I remain hopeful that at least others will find this photo useful in helping them to make an informed decision… and based on their own judgment.

As a side note: I find your comments to be snarky and with little to no substance....

Kurt, I think you're being too polite

John, what's got up your nose? We're all friends here.

Cheers
Glen

[LightNFast]

Originally Posted by xb-60

Kurt, I think you're being too polite

John, what's got up your nose? We're all friends here.

Cheers
Glen

Thanks Glen.

By the way, my apologies for not congratulating you sooner on your build. It's turning out absolutely beautiful!

Cheers

[LightNFast]

Originally Posted by Dangerous Doug

So, if trying to emulate a "FIA" Cobra the seat type from CSX2323 would be correct (the style supplied by ERA), but if trying to emulate the Dan Gurney CSX2345 Cobra then a Kirkey seat would do the trick.

Either seat reflects moments in history for these cars, and it becomes a matter of taste.

I like my CSX2323-style FIA seats in black leather, but the CSX2345-style Kirkey seats like the Gurney Cobra look cool and are more affordable.

DD

Doug,

I fully agree with you in terms of choosing a moment in history as well as it's a matter of taste. I'd like to add that I've seen and rode in the ERA 289 comp seats and like most things ERA they are high quality and very nice looking.

Just to clarify the photo directly above - Top is 2345, left is my Superformance tribute to 2323 and right is Johns very nice 7000 Series tribute to as I recall 2259.

Also, 2323 would typically be referred to as the Dan Gurney car.

I hope this helps...



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[Dangerous Doug]

Seems I've muddied the waters. I reversed the serial numbers.

So, correcting my earlier statement:

"So, if trying to emulate a "FIA" Cobra the seat type from CSX2345 would be correct (the style supplied by ERA), but if trying to emulate the Dan Gurney CSX2323 Cobra then a Kirkey seat would do the trick."

And:

"I like my CSX2345-style FIA seats in black leather, but the CSX2323-style Kirkey seats like the Gurney Cobra look cool and are more affordable."

DD