Lotus Elan and Lotus Elan Plus 2 Forums

Thinking of changing the seats in my +2s 130/5, and have been offered a pair of Mazda MX-5 seats. Is this a straight forward swop?
Rod.

I added newer closed cell motorcycle (actually whitewater paddling) foam to add some comfort. This in a early +2 with less comfort than the S interior.
You checked L W H of all, as well as a search on google?

Nearly

Go to the photo gallery , enter MX5 seats , hey presto

http://www.lotuselan.net/gallery/

John

I never looked too closely at the various MX5 seat projects, but looking at the photos, those seats actually look quite at home in the +2. I was considering two new seat altogether, but seeing those, I just wonder...

I am not familiar with the MX5 other than I know they had several different seat types. What are the ones in the green +2?

If you click on the link you'll be able to pm him to find out...

John

HCA wrote:...I am not familiar with the MX5 other than I know they had several different seat types. What are the ones in the green +2?

I am new to the whole MX-5 thing in the last year, but those look like first generation MX-5 seats, the first model with the pop-up headlights. Not sure, but I think the seats changed within the model run 1989 to 1997. I believe the subsequent models all had solid headrests rather than the adjustable / removable type you are probably after.

For reference and searching Google, in Mazda circles the model generations are called:
NA - 1989 to 1997
NB - 1998 to 2004
NC - 2005 to 2015
ND - 2016 to present

Seat specifics are a bit more subtle, as some Euro and domestic markets got Recaro seats that we did not get in North America.

HTH. Let us know how you make out.

There are lots of threads on here, try here for a start:
viewtopic.php?f=31&t=47083
viewtopic.php?f=31&t=38041
viewtopic.php?f=31&t=42751
viewtopic.php?f=31&t=48101
viewtopic.php?f=36&t=20837

I've bought Mk1 MX5 seats and they are a suitable size, all later MX5 seats seem to be high back and there isn't really enough headroom. MGF seats look a good option. It's too cold in the garage at the moment but I plan to use an intermediate sheet of thin marine ply, bolted to the existing floor mountings and the mountings on new seats.

Can John Clegg tell me what version of MX-5 seats he fitted. Mark 1?

john.p.clegg wrote:If you click on the link you'll be able to pm him to find out...

John

I might just do this John, but as I am pretty well comitted down another path, it is only out of idle interest I ask. At this stage anyway!

Again, out of idle curiosity, why do some MX5 seats - the high backed ones - appear to have the head restraint off set? I am sure there is a good reason, but without it, I fear they look a bit dumb...

The seats with the separate headrests are mk1 MX5 and are now getting scarce and expensive for a good pair. The later tombstone seats in my opinion just look wrong.

I am currently installing a set of leather MGF seats which are readily available, reasonably priced and look right. I think they could be a better option.

I have a pair of mgf seats for my +2 but have not yet worked out a simple method to get them to fit on the +2 runners. I would be interested to hear/see how you get on.

Cheers.

I have built a frame that pick up the existing seat mounting bobbins in the floor and the seat runners of the MGF seats. The seats come with some specific bolted mountings at each end of the runners. Remove these by drilling the rivets out and cutting the welds. You can then bolt the runner to the frame.





Seat mounting mods.



Mounting frame bolted to floor.



Mounting frame bolted to seat.

I did consider welding square section tube to the seat runners which could then be bolted to the floor bobbins, but the way I’ve done it allows more flexibility and easier fitting.

Dave

Will the headrests on the MG seats enable the seat to be tipped at all for rear access?

Alan.

I doubt it but I have mounted the seats so they can slide well forwards for rear access.

Looks like a neat insulation. I came to the conclusion the mgf runner brackets would have have to be removed but too busy on another project to progress further. However, the mgf seats look a good and cost effective replacement to the originals.