Folding passenger seat

[Sidney'61]

Some minors have them and some don't.
When were they fitted?

Thanks

[PSL184]

I don't know but I'll start the research with my 61 and 62 have folding seats but my previous 65 didn't.....

[LouiseM]

The 'fixed back' seats were introduced in October '64.

[pfgiz]

Interestingly, in my '54 interior both front seats have folding backs, but in my '58 it's just the passenger seat. Is this because someone changed something or was the drivers seat fixed at an earlier date?

A lot of detail changes happened that year including, larger sun visors, plastic edged rear view mirror, flick switches and the ignition key used to start the car instead of a pull start.

[MColes]

Both front seats in my car (also a 54) have folding backs. I thought it was because a previous owner had swapped them but maybe not.

[simmitc]

I had a 65 Traveller with folding passenger seat, all original matching trim, so not something that was likely to have been swapped. Very useful for carrying long loads.

[Sidney'61]

OK thanks, so my 61 should have a folding seat then (when I bought it it had the later style interior fitted).

Do you think they are better than the later fixed seats? Do they fold themselves if you stop too quickly?
I'm now wondering whether to try and track one down for my car.

[PSL184]

As far as I know it was just the passenger seat that folded on the later (series 3 cars) but the series 2's I have seen had both seats folding. Mine have never folded thenselves under heavy braking but then I may not be braking hard enough !!! - very useful for extra load carrying space though

[PSL184]

A lot of detail changes happened that year including, larger sun visors, plastic edged rear view mirror, flick switches and the ignition key used to start the car instead of a pull start.

Series 5 facelift in 63 for 64 model year cars.....

[callyspoy]

My early series II seats are naff! They are the same as mm seats and the gearatick hits them when folded down!! But that was my issue. My point...who knows!!

[mike.perry]

To check if your seats have been changed, the driver's seat adjusts back and forwards and the passenger's seat is fixed. I think that whether or not the passenger seat back folds may depend on whether it is a two or four door car.

[jaekl]

I'll report in. Early Series III 2 doors had fixed backs on both seats, though I've only seen one. Some time later (1958?) but while still with the narrow pleat the passenger seat folded. I've seen a Series V prior to the interior update that had a folding passenger set with the narrow, non heat formed pleat.
The folding seat falls forward in my convertible with higher speeds.

[pfgiz]

My one folds forward too but only when I brake hard.

Interestingly the '54 interior I have came from a 4 door sallon and both seats fold up. Drivers one fouls on the stearing wheel so not sure it's a great idea.

[mike.perry]

Drivers one fouls on the stearing wheel so not sure it's a great idea.

As long as you are not driving at the time it does not matter

[mmjosh]

i have a 54 series 2 4 door and i have folding seats aswell

[h20_mako]

mines at 57 2door. Only passenger upper seat folds. Driver seat pivots. Both seats are not adjustable.

Under hard braking i mean real hard braking, passenger seat do fold forward also but rarely.

This folding seat could be an option for owners at that time. I'm not too sure about that

[linearaudio]

The folding seat falls forward in my convertible with higher speeds.

In reverse maybe?
Mine has a habit of folding forward under spirited braking. I tend to prop the rear part with my elbow under such circumstances (if I have time to anticipate braking sharply, that is )
The worst aspect of the design is the children in the back "accidently" nudging the back with their feet when one of them is sitting in the front