Page 1 of 1
Fitting Newton Commercial (or similar) front seats
Posted: Tue Oct 17, 2006 3:56 pm
by Spillo
I wonder if anyone has had experience of fitting Newton Commercial front seats (or anything similar) with head restraints to a tourer/2 door Minor? Is there much modification of the floor involved and can people get into the back once they are fitted. From info provided I think that rear leg room will be compromised as well. Any advice gratefully received.
Posted: Tue Oct 17, 2006 4:18 pm
by Judge
They are very easy to fit as the front mountings pick up on the originals. The rear then only requires two holes to be drilled in the floor. Unfortunately they do reduce the legroom in the back.
seats
Posted: Tue Oct 17, 2006 4:19 pm
by Willie
I have fitted Newton recliners. The front bolts engage with the original fittings
and the rear bolts need to be drilled through the floor(add suitable load spreading plates both above and below the floor to your satisfaction). The seats are excellent but are much
thicker than the originals so the rear leg room is reduced. I am over six feet
tall and usually have the seat right back but,recently, was able to accomodate
a bride and groom in the back and still drive the car despite having to move the seat forwards a few notches. These seats do not raise the sitting height
from the original. Entry to the rear is quite reasonable as the seats slide
well forward and the backs fold right down.
Posted: Wed Oct 18, 2006 3:00 pm
by Spillo
Thank you both very much for your helpful replies.
I live near Cranleigh in Surrey. I wonder if there is anyone near me who has Newton Commercial seats fitted. I am now pretty certain I will go ahead and fit them but it would be very helpful to see them for myself.
Thanks once again.
Spillo.
Seats
Posted: Wed Oct 18, 2006 5:48 pm
by Willie
Hopefully this will be my pic of Newton Seats. One as far forward as possible
and the other as far back as it will go.

Posted: Wed Oct 18, 2006 5:54 pm
by JimK
Are there different heights of seat base available? I find the standard seats too low - in my standard seats the foam is brand new and they are just about high enough, but they're only going to get lower.
I like those Newton seats, but they are beaucoup de moolah. Some eBay specials might be called for.
seats
Posted: Wed Oct 18, 2006 6:00 pm
by Willie
JIM, I wanted the lowest seats available butyou could always mount them on blocks I suppose? Would have to be properly done to make them safe.
Posted: Wed Oct 18, 2006 6:48 pm
by RogerRust
I picked up some NOS seat adjuster blocks at an autojumble you can have them for £2 plus postage if they are any use. you can turn them round to give a variety of adjustment.

Posted: Thu Oct 19, 2006 8:49 am
by JimK
Thanks Rog, I already have some of those.
They help raise the seat but tilt it forwards, too. I'm also looking to change the seats for something with more side and lumbar support.
Matching colours isn't an issue for me as my interior is black.
Posted: Thu Oct 19, 2006 11:27 am
by Spillo
Willie,
Thank you very much for taking the photograph. It's very helpful.
Spillo.
Posted: Thu Oct 19, 2006 4:39 pm
by ColinP
Spillo,
Have a chat with Jonathon (JLH) - he fitted a pair of Saab 9000 seats in my Minor - custom built bases fitted to the height I wanted.
Access to the rear is more difficult, but there are a number of seats that will fit - with the right iron-work below.
Colin
Posted: Thu Oct 19, 2006 4:52 pm
by alex_holden
In my first Moggy I fitted a pair of very comfy front seats from a scrapyard Volvo. I think it might have been a 740 but wouldn't swear on that. We made a simple angle-iron frame to attach them to the floor. It was a 4 door saloon so the seats didn't need to be able to fold forward to give access to the back, which widened my choice of donor car a bit. Rear legroom was reduced compared to the standard seats but not so much as for the back seat to be unusable.
Posted: Thu Oct 19, 2006 8:55 pm
by salty_monk
Be a bit inventive with some angle iron & you should be able to fit just about anything in there....
Dan
