The MGA With An Attitude
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Factory COMPETITION SEATS for the MGA -- INT-114
This is not a complete rebuild seminar for the MGA "Competition Deluxe" seats, but these pictures speak volumes about internal construction and assembly. Thanks to Tom Tallone for donating the pictures. Click for larger images.
Starting with the picture at right we see bottom cover and foam pad removed, and the face of the back cover stripped away. The vertical pleated piece is the remains of the thin cloth covering on a cotton pad which was once attached to the inside of the pleated leather face cover. Behind that is a thick molded foam rubber cushion similar to the base cushion. Like standard Roadster and Coupe seats, these will be covered with leather on the front surfaces and on the most accessible side surfaces, and vinyl on the less accessible sides and across the back.
The next picture at right is the same base frame, detached, with the leather cover which was removed from the back frame. Notice the slight angle on the base frame on the side which goes next to the tunnel, wider at the back and narrower at the front, similar to other MGA seats. The heavy cloth webbing is looped around and stitched onto steel wire clips which hook into small holes in the tube frame. The contoured foam rubber seat squab is supported on the webbing, and the outer fabric cover will be stretched over everything.
Next above left we have the same base frame inverted, showing the wood strips which are screwed to the bottom of the frame to accept tacks or staples for fastening the cover in place. On the right the same frame again, this time with the wood strips removed and laying at the sides. From here you can unhook the steel wire clips to remove the webbing, leaving the frame bare for cleaning and painting.
Here above we have the backrests with the outer fabric covers removed. On the right we have the front of the driver side seat back (LHD car) showing a cloth cover over thin cotton batting which protects the foam rubber back cushion. Notice the folded white cloth sewn on around the edge. This is used as reinforcing for the cloth which is stapled to the wood tack strips on the back side of the perimeter tubing. The white cloth also serves as a thin pad on the front side of the tubing where the wire hooks for webbing are installed. On the left we have the back side of the passenger seat (LHD car) showing the tube frame, the webbing, and the molded foam back cushion. Notice the front cloth cover is still attached here, wrapped around the edges and tacked on the back side. You can see cotton batting protruding from under the edges of the dark cloth. Although being a slightly different shape, the tube frame is similar in construction to the standard seats. Notice the kick in the side which goes next to the tunnel, and the less pronounced form on the outboard side.
Above we have two pictures of the driver side backrest (LHD car). On the left the front side, and on the right the back side. Here the web straps are layered (not in basket weave). The horizontal straps are installed first, then the angled vertical strap is looped over the top tube and laid in front of the horizontal straps. All strap ends are sewn onto wire hooks to attach to the tube frame. At the bottom is a small horsehair lumbar support pad about one inch thick, similar to the pad used in the standard seats but not as tall. With the cloth and cushion removed you can see the wood tack strips which are screwed onto the back side of the backrest perimeter frame.
What is NOT shown here is a heavy card stock backing board which wraps around the back of the backrest frame, similar the standard seats. This should also be covered on the back with a thin soft cloth pad prior to installation of the outer cover. This may possibly have been felt, which makes a good replacement, but was more likely originally a soft woven layered cloth pad.
Materials to rebuild the MGA Competition Deluxe seats may be available from:
At 11:55 AM 11/15/05, Bob Ertzinger wrote:
"Got a quote from NTG Motor Svc.UK dated 9-11-05 for:
1-J705A Seat kit-Deluxe MGA L 394.38
2-Base Cushion-Deluxe MGA 43.44 L 86.88
2-Padding Backrest-Deluxe 37.45 L 74.90
Shipping L 60.00 to my address
Total L 616.16
Their conversion rate could be from 1.6 to 2.0
depending on the current rate."
At 06:45 PM 11/21/05, Bob Ertzinger wrote:
"FYI, Called Heritage Upholstery (360-332-3022). Duncan is salesperson.
Made to copy original using English auto-grade leather and English vinyl.
$880/pair seatcovers.
$150/2-bottom cushions
$ 95/2-backs
$ 40/backboards if needed
$ 60/tackstrips if needed
$ 35 S&H -- 4-6 weeks for delivery.
NTG is cheaper by $92 for covers and cushions only
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