Morris Minor Owners Club

Hi, Chronic back problems affecting enjoyment of driving my 1967 Traveller, any suggestions as to what seats will fit & be more comfortable. Tom

I have seen that Ford KA seats fit quite well with little in the way of modification to fit.

Charles Ware do what they call 'Mark 3' seats. In leather or vinyl,and all usual colours.With headrests if wanted. I got them after major back surgery and they are great. Better than the new Golf. Only downside is reduced legroom in the back. Oh, and the cost of course. Designed to fit without any drilling etc.

Almost any seat which can be made to fit with the addition of an adapter plate will be more comfortable than the standard offering .
I once sat in a Traveller with comfortable front seats which matched the originals. I was informed that they were from a BMC 1800

SteveClem wrote:Charles Ware do what they call 'Mark 3' seats. In leather or vinyl,and all usual colours.With headrests if wanted. I got them after major back surgery and they are great. Better than the new Golf. Only downside is reduced legroom in the back. Oh, and the cost of course. Designed to fit without any drilling etc.

Are these seats not simply bought in from Newton Commercial?

I wrote a newsletter on fitting alternate seats..
http://morrisminorowners.co.uk/howto_Fi ... eSeats.php

if you would like a copy of the newsletter in pdf drop me a pm with your email address and i can let you have it

I fitted a drivers seat from an MG F. Very comfortable and supportive, real leather and only a tenner from a man dismantling one locally. I had to make brackets and drill two holes in the floor. The only snag is that it doesn't tip for rear access so I haven't fitted the passenger one yet while I think up a suitable mechanism. Bolt two fixed seats to the floor and you lose your back seat!

We had the original seats until 2-3 years ago. During the restoration in the 90's, the seats were recovered and new webbings fitted, and we drove another ~40,000 with them all around the UK and Europe.

Eventually persuaded Sally, my wife (whose car it is), after seeing some Newton Commercial seats in a Minor at a local country fair, that fitting them would be a good idea. They are expensive, but have transformed long journeys, and also don't rock about on tracks days either!

Rear leg room is more restricted (access is OK as the back tilts forward), but if this is not a major requirement they are very supportive and comfortable - looking on their website just now the latest option is for 'heated base and squab' for an additional £60 each when ordering new seats!! Luxury or what?

IslipMinor wrote:... the latest option is for 'heated base and squab' for an additional £60 each when ordering new seats!! Luxury or what?

Definitely will need an Alternator conversion for this option

I fitted the Newton Commercial seats yesterday and I am really pleased. Expensive but really comfy and look the part.
Regards
Declan

ManyMinors wrote:

SteveClem wrote:Charles Ware do what they call 'Mark 3' seats. In leather or vinyl,and all usual colours.With headrests if wanted. I got them after major back surgery and they are great. Better than the new Golf. Only downside is reduced legroom in the back. Oh, and the cost of course. Designed to fit without any drilling etc.

Are these seats not simply bought in from Newton Commercial?

They look very similar don't they. Wherever they originate they are very supportive and comfy. I only drive the old cars these days so I want to enjoy it even if it's not quite the original look.

A bit premature, as I won't be doing the interior until autumn, but I've bought a pair of early 70s MGB GT seats (against some advice on here). I wanted to keep it as original as possible, but also wanted headrests for safety. Making a sub frame doesn't look too difficult, and rebuilding and recovering kits are available in the same style and colours as the Minor. Cost a lot less than Newton Commercials. Watch this space...

Mark