[Roadsters] Miata vs stock seats (was "Re: X-Country")

[Pete Peters]

I'm 6'0" with a low windshield '66. There was a rollbar that I removed. Wife
wants it in, but I'm not sure. Sounds like the Miata (and BMW?) seats might
decide the issue.

The only reason I'm wondering is that all the stitching on my roadster seats
is rotting, which means I need to redo 'em or replace 'em. Prefer to do the
"best" compromise of price vs comfort.

Pete

-----Original Message-----
From: Tom @ Datsun2000 [mailto:tom at datsun2000.com]
Sent: Saturday, December 15, 2007 6:28 PM
To: Pete Peters; datsun-roadsters at autox.team.net
Subject: RE: [Roadsters] Miata vs stock seats (was "Re: X-Country")


You are right about Miata seats being a little higher than the stock
roadster seats.  In my 69 I removed the sun visor to get a clear view of the
road.  Then I had to learn how to get into the car without tangling my feet
into the pedals.  I am 5' 11" tall.  A smaller diameter steering wheel would
do wonders for that, but now I can slide in and out with ease.

Another factor to consider is the roll bar if you have/want one.  The Miata
seats sit back farther, and the seat backs are adjustable.  All of this
interferes with the factory roll bar mounts and bringing the bar straight up
from the floor behind the seats.

In my case I already have a bar intended to be welded to the rear shelf
sheet metal (bad idea.  I pulled it off of my parts car by hand).  I have
designed heavy steel mounts that will reach down to the factory holes and
the braces will use the brace mounts at the back of the shelf.  I just need
to be sure everything clears the top frame, which is slightly interfered
with by the Miata seat headrests at some tilt settings.

Tom
69 2000 - Mr. Hyde
Portland
http://www.datsun2000.com
http://www.nowroc.org

-----Original Message-----
From: datsun-roadsters-bounces+tom=datsun2000.com at autox.team.net
[mailto:datsun-roadsters-bounces+tom=datsun2000.com at autox.team.net]On
Behalf Of Pete Peters
Sent: Saturday, December 15, 2007 4:46 PM
To: datsun-roadsters at autox.team.net
Subject: Re: [Roadsters] Miata vs stock seats (was "Re: X-Country")


I have heard the Miata seats, while more comfortable, are not the greatest
for folks 6-feet and taller. Even removing the seat rails and bolting them
straight to the floorpan still results in taller folks in early model (low
windshield) roadsters getting hit with wind just above the windshield.

Pete
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