Seat replacements, reclining +, for a Plus 2?

PostPost by: ColonialRobert » Fri Sep 16, 2016 12:37 am

Years ago I heard that some other make of car had reclining, adjustable seats with headrests, that FIT a Plus 2.
Was that only a rumour, or ... who knows of the year, make and model?
RSVP.
ColonialRobert
New-tral
 
Posts: 4
Joined: 12 Feb 2016

PostPost by: Elanintheforest » Fri Sep 16, 2016 7:42 am

If you want something from the original period then the Contour Recliner is the only one I know of. They were fitted to the works Escorts / :Lotus Cortinas / Minis in the late '60s / early 70s, and look just right in the Plus 2 with a very similar seat pattern. They do come up on ebay from time to time, but can be pricey.

The photos shows my Plus 2 with one fitted in the passenger side, and the seat taken out of the car.

The later 'S' Plus 2 had recliners of course, and I guess that the federal cars had built in headrests?

If you don't mind modern, I believe that the Mazda MX5 / Mieta seats fit with a bit of fettling to the runners.

Mark
Attachments
pb-elan-contour-1.jpg and
picture-002a.jpg and
User avatar
Elanintheforest
Coveted Fifth Gear
Coveted Fifth Gear
 
Posts: 2938
Joined: 04 Oct 2005

PostPost by: jono » Fri Sep 16, 2016 8:01 am

another thumbs up for Countours.

These are repro which I recently bought for my Mk1 Mini. I like them so much I am going to put a set in the +2 (good to know they fit, Mark). They are very comfortable

They look so 'right' period wise even the basket weave matches the original Lotus vinyl.

Jon
Attachments
p1050835-copy.jpg and
jono
Coveted Fifth Gear
Coveted Fifth Gear
 
Posts: 2022
Joined: 17 May 2007

PostPost by: wotsisname » Fri Sep 16, 2016 9:32 am

Do these seats allow entry to the back "seats" without the headrests fouling on the headlining ?
1968 Elan plus 2 - project
2007 Elise S2 [modified with a Hethel 70th sticker (yellow)]
2000 Elise S1 - Sold
wotsisname
Third Gear
Third Gear
 
Posts: 487
Joined: 24 Jun 2015

PostPost by: KevJ+2 » Fri Sep 16, 2016 10:37 am

I think the contour seats are about ?850 which I think is quite good. Does anyone know how much it costs to retrim the original (early) seats?
KevJ+2
Fourth Gear
Fourth Gear
 
Posts: 795
Joined: 23 Aug 2013

PostPost by: Briggs1 » Fri Sep 16, 2016 10:38 am

I put Recaro seats in my Plus 2. I have the original seats but the head rest hits me right in the middle of the upper back and is very uncomfortable to drive. The Recaros fit nicely, just have to modify the securing method, which was easy to do.

I must say that the Recaros are MUCH more comfortable and fit my body nicely.
Attachments
img_3741.jpg and
Briggs1
Third Gear
Third Gear
 
Posts: 276
Joined: 17 Jun 2004

PostPost by: wotsisname » Fri Sep 16, 2016 12:22 pm

KevJ+2 wrote:I think the contour seats are about ?850 which I think is quite good. Does anyone know how much it costs to retrim the original (early) seats?


Based on an enquiry I made about an advert for S3/S4 covers, I believe the early +2 is the same or very similar.
- covers are ?300 & to rebuild the seats an extra ?150 +P&P of around ?20 (Devon)

I've only seen photos of the work & haven't decided how I'm going to proceed on this.
1968 Elan plus 2 - project
2007 Elise S2 [modified with a Hethel 70th sticker (yellow)]
2000 Elise S1 - Sold
wotsisname
Third Gear
Third Gear
 
Posts: 487
Joined: 24 Jun 2015

PostPost by: jono » Fri Sep 16, 2016 12:48 pm

...should have said these repro Contours are not recliners, but how many times do you ever need to recline the seats in a Plus 2?

Not sure about tilting them with the headrests but again, how many times do you use the back seats in a Plus 2?

They are however available without the headrests or you can simply pop them out.

Jon
jono
Coveted Fifth Gear
Coveted Fifth Gear
 
Posts: 2022
Joined: 17 May 2007

PostPost by: theelanman » Fri Sep 16, 2016 2:53 pm

the chap who bought mine put in MX5 seats as I recall......
User avatar
theelanman
Coveted Fifth Gear
Coveted Fifth Gear
 
Posts: 1434
Joined: 17 Sep 2003

PostPost by: Dieschelan » Fri Sep 16, 2016 3:03 pm

When I bought my plus 2 the car comes with a bucket seats and also with the original seats. Now I'm finishing the restoration and I don't know if I put the original seats or the bucket seats.
Attachments
image.jpeg and
Dieschelan
Second Gear
Second Gear
 
Posts: 219
Joined: 07 May 2015

PostPost by: theelanman » Fri Sep 16, 2016 3:05 pm

found the pic
Attachments
seats-001.jpg and
User avatar
theelanman
Coveted Fifth Gear
Coveted Fifth Gear
 
Posts: 1434
Joined: 17 Sep 2003

PostPost by: mbell » Fri Sep 16, 2016 6:22 pm

Out of interest anyone found seats that fit and are a good colour match for Oatmeal interior?

There a lot of options for black seats, from modern vehicles and buying them new but I haven't spotted any which are a good colour match for the Oatmeal seats.
'73 +2 130/5 RHD, now on the road and very slowly rolling though a "restoration"
mbell
Coveted Fifth Gear
Coveted Fifth Gear
 
Posts: 2692
Joined: 07 Jun 2013

PostPost by: pereirac » Sat Sep 17, 2016 1:33 pm

Early MX5 seats seem to be a popular retrofit for E-Type Jag owners as well so I assume the look 'period' enough!

Carl
Carl

72 Elan Sprint
87 Excel SE
97 Alpina B10

http://www.lotuselan.co.uk
User avatar
pereirac
Coveted Fifth Gear
Coveted Fifth Gear
 
Posts: 1135
Joined: 01 Oct 2003

PostPost by: Cannonpaul67 » Sat Feb 17, 2018 5:00 pm

Hi, does anyone have details of how to install the mx5 seats to a late plus2? I have the opportunity to purchase these as per photo for ?200 and was wondering how involved the modifications are?
Thanks in advance, Paul.
Cannonpaul67
New-tral
 
Posts: 2
Joined: 17 Feb 2018

PostPost by: ColonialRobert » Sat Mar 10, 2018 11:04 pm

Miata MX5 seats look fine! So I bought a set.
Then I asked a local upholstery shop to create Lotus emblems and to stitch them onto the seats as a cover-up for whatever Mazda put on mine.
Now, who?s the willingness to describe the ?fettling? required? Please? I?m not good at reinventing the wheel...
Add a picture or two, and I?d be most grateful!!
ColonialRobert.
ColonialRobert
New-tral
 
Posts: 4
Joined: 12 Feb 2016
Next

Total Online:

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 12 guests