Puglet1 Posted April 12, 2023 Report Share Posted April 12, 2023 Looking at replacing the front seat covers on my Vitesse Mk2. Went to Newtons website which showed the Mk1 seats having straps on the underside and also the distance from the top of the face flutes, over the top of the seat to the stitch line on the rear of the cover being 295mm. The above spec matches the seats in my car. Question. 1: Is there much difference in comfort between the Mk1 and Mk2 seats? Q.2: Should I try to get hold of a set of Mk2 seats or re cover the ones in my car? Q3: Is this likely to impact on resale value? (Not that intend to sell it). Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lewis Posted April 12, 2023 Report Share Posted April 12, 2023 rimmers do some spiel on the mix and match seats , there is a note that mk2 are stitched not welded seams that may be the only real change and its worth searching all suppliers as they can often be cheaper than direct from newtons so look at all you can find Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josef Posted April 12, 2023 Report Share Posted April 12, 2023 The club shop also supply trim from Newton, I think still at a discount but haven’t checked since I bought my spitfire interior a few years back… Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Puglet1 Posted April 12, 2023 Author Report Share Posted April 12, 2023 Pete L and Josef. Thank you for your answers. As experiencing Triumphanteers I was hoping you could tell me if there is much difference in comfort levels between the Mk1 and Mk2 seats. The reason I ask is it looks like the previous owner may have fitted Mk1 seats into my Mk2. I’m wondering if I would be better off sourcing some Mk2 seats and recovering them or stick to recovering my Mk1 ones? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomL Posted April 12, 2023 Report Share Posted April 12, 2023 Hi Puglet1, I would say that there is no noticeable difference in comfort between Vitesse 2-litre Mk1 and Vitesse 2-litre Mk2 seats. IIRC, the earlier 1600 Vitesse had the narrower, Herald-type seats which possibly offer a little less padding, and are (of course) narrower. I suggest having a look at one of the books, such as Graham Robson's "...The complete story", which has photos of the seats. If you're looking for greater comfort, plus the advantage of headrests, then I'd suggest going for one of the popular replacements such as MGF or MX5. Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wagger Posted April 12, 2023 Report Share Posted April 12, 2023 Dolomite seats can also be made to fit. FWD 1500 may too. There is a trim company in Lewes, East Sussex that do re-upholstery kits. About £500 a pair though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Puglet1 Posted April 12, 2023 Author Report Share Posted April 12, 2023 TomL. Thank you for your comments, they have been really helpful. I will certainly take a look at the suggested book. Wagger. That’s interesting. Can you tell me the name of the company in Lewis? Thanks to you both 👍 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
68vitesse Posted April 13, 2023 Report Share Posted April 13, 2023 (edited) When restoring the seats in my Mk1 2L Vitesse convertible I came to the conclusion that there is no such thing as Mk1 or Mk2 seats just saloon or convertible for the 2L. Convertible seats introduced early in 2L production to increase legroom, I can not fit comfortably in the car with the "Mk2" seats fitted. Just my opinion, l started a thread on here with pictures from the parts book. https://forum.tssc.org.uk/topic/7239-vitesse-front-seat-2l-mk1-or-2l-mk2-or-saloon-or-convertible/#comment-95359 Regards Paul Edited April 13, 2023 by 68vitesse Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lewis Posted April 13, 2023 Report Share Posted April 13, 2023 with all the hassle of doing a retrim when we looked at options there were mainly MGF seats being used many go for MX5 there is one major improvement in you get a secure headrest essential in modern rear end traffic bumps its a good safety life preserving consideration Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Puglet1 Posted April 13, 2023 Author Report Share Posted April 13, 2023 68vitesse. Hi Paul, that’s very informative-thank you. Pete L. That’s a good point I overlooked the safety factor about the headrests. I’m learning rather quickly that with a classic, what seems to be a straightforward job never ends up being one🤔. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lewis Posted April 13, 2023 Report Share Posted April 13, 2023 2 minutes ago, Puglet1 said: straightforward job never ends up being one the joys of classic car ownership ....you have found it driven by needs must , bright idea's and the available wallet just avoid any Myths Pete 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul H Posted April 13, 2023 Report Share Posted April 13, 2023 Mgf seats in my Vitesse , much more comfortable and safer than original seats and cheaper than retrimming. If you go this route there’s help available Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeteH Posted April 13, 2023 Report Share Posted April 13, 2023 (edited) 12 hours ago, Wagger said: Dolomite seats can also be made to fit. FWD 1500 may too. There is a trim company in Lewes, East Sussex that do re-upholstery kits. About £500 a pair though. 👍 Our old Vittesse had Dolly, seats fitted, bonus was a headrest too IIRC. I fitted MX seats to the 13/60 back a while, since removed and stored pending finishing, along with Seat belts. I think the post should still be here somewhere? If I find it I`ll add link. Pete Edited April 13, 2023 by PeteH Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Puglet1 Posted April 13, 2023 Author Report Share Posted April 13, 2023 Paul H. They look very smart. That’s given me even more food for thought. Pete H. Thank you for giving me even more options. Both. I have entered the world of total confusion 😀. I now need to look at ALL of my options and decide which one to opt for. Thank you both for your help 👍 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wagger Posted April 13, 2023 Report Share Posted April 13, 2023 20 hours ago, Puglet1 said: TomL. Thank you for your comments, they have been really helpful. I will certainly take a look at the suggested book. Wagger. That’s interesting. Can you tell me the name of the company in Lewis? Thanks to you both 👍 Sorry to be so long. Washing machine needed attention. Hairgrips and coins in the filter hose! It is The Trimming Centre, Ham Lane, Lewes, BN7 3PS. They have a website but I cannot find their number. They specialise in Webasto roofs but did give me a quote for Vinyl seat recovering. They are not cheap. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Puglet1 Posted April 13, 2023 Author Report Share Posted April 13, 2023 Hi Wagger. Sorry to hear about your washing machine, mine is running perfectly but there again I have a bold head and no money after entering the world of classic cars😁. Thank you for coming back to me, I shall give them a call.👍 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul H Posted April 13, 2023 Report Share Posted April 13, 2023 1 hour ago, Puglet1 said: Paul H. They look very smart. That’s given me even more food for thought. Pete H. Thank you for giving me even more options. Both. I have entered the world of total confusion 😀. I now need to look at ALL of my options and decide which one to opt for. Thank you both for your help 👍 My seats are heated . The elements were for a land rover . Easily fitted and cost effective Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Truman Posted April 13, 2023 Report Share Posted April 13, 2023 1 hour ago, Wagger said: Sorry to be so long. Washing machine needed attention. Hairgrips and coins in the filter hose! We live in a smallish estate surrounded on 3 sides by a golf course, so when we were younger and all had kids we all knew each other very well. One wife/mother Jill a local beauty rang me asking for help with her broken down cloths drier, being an engineer I was Mr Fixit, so I went over and after stripping the drier down and removing a broken coiled nitride heater wire I couldn't work out what appeared to be a bi-metallic semi circular strip welded onto one end of the nitride wire there was no end connection point, so off I go to the Hoover service depot where the chap behind the desk asks how near the end was the wire break I said about an inch he advised just reconnect it it'll work and not overheat, I asked what does this bi-metallic strip connect to, his answer one word BRA, I responded what BAR, he dead faced replied it's the underwire from a bra, I left red faced!! I went home picked the wife up went over to Jill's asked her to jump up and down, they both looked at me dumbfounded I responded I just want to see if a missing Bra underwire makes any difference? obviously laughter all round, and I dined out at many BBQ's on that one! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Puglet1 Posted April 13, 2023 Author Report Share Posted April 13, 2023 Paul H. Heated seats. That put a Big smile on my wifes face. Can you use the elements under vinyl covers? Paul. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomL Posted April 13, 2023 Report Share Posted April 13, 2023 I used a heated-seat kit I found on line (by Waeco IIRC); quite easy to fit to the MGF seats, and a great addition to the car in colder weather: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wagger Posted April 13, 2023 Report Share Posted April 13, 2023 59 minutes ago, Peter Truman said: We live in a smallish estate surrounded on 3 sides by a golf course, so when we were younger and all had kids we all knew each other very well. One wife/mother Jill a local beauty rang me asking for help with her broken down cloths drier, being an engineer I was Mr Fixit, so I went over and after stripping the drier down and removing a broken coiled nitride heater wire I couldn't work out what appeared to be a bi-metallic semi circular strip welded onto one end of the nitride wire there was no end connection point, so off I go to the Hoover service depot where the chap behind the desk asks how near the end was the wire break I said about an inch he advised just reconnect it it'll work and not overheat, I asked what does this bi-metallic strip connect to, his answer one word BRA, I responded what BAR, he dead faced replied it's the underwire from a bra, I left red faced!! I went home picked the wife up went over to Jill's asked her to jump up and down, they both looked at me dumbfounded I responded I just want to see if a missing Bra underwire makes any difference? obviously laughter all round, and I dined out at many BBQ's on that one! Previous machine drain hose contained six if those. All rusted and embedded in the hose. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Puglet1 Posted April 14, 2023 Author Report Share Posted April 14, 2023 (edited) 6 hours ago, Wagger said: Previous machine drain hose contained six if those. All rusted and embedded in the hose. OMG. Were they all from the same bra? Edited April 14, 2023 by Puglet1 Grammar error. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul H Posted April 14, 2023 Report Share Posted April 14, 2023 8 hours ago, Puglet1 said: Paul H. Heated seats. That put a Big smile on my wifes face. Can you use the elements under vinyl covers? Paul. Yes can’t see any issues. About £40 for a kit from EBay Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Puglet1 Posted April 14, 2023 Author Report Share Posted April 14, 2023 6 minutes ago, Paul H said: Yes can’t see any issues. About £40 for a kit from EBay Paul 6 minutes ago, Paul H said: Yes can’t see any issues. About £40 for a kit from EBay Paul Brilliant. Thanks Paul. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Puglet1 Posted August 27, 2023 Author Report Share Posted August 27, 2023 To conclude. After fitting new seat covers to the original seats, I still wanted more clearance between my legs and the steering wheel. I fitted MX5 seats and raised the steering column as suggested by Pete Lewis . What a difference! Totally transformed the comfort of the car . I now have a pair of recovered original seats in storage to keep the originality of the car. The photo also shows the fitment of seatbelt retainers from Paul H. Thanks Paul ! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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