some seat widths

[TRX]

(data from various internet sources)

Sample seat widths:

17.5 Chicago Transit Authority train seat
18.5 Fiat 600
18 Spridget pre-Aug-65
18.5 Datsun 240Z
19 Mustang II
19.5 Fiat 850 Spyder
19.5 Fiero (year unknown)
19.7 2013 Nissan Altima squab; back is 20.7
20 VW Scirocco
20 1995 Toyota Celuca
20 modern Minis
20 96-98 Acura
22 2010 Camaro
23.5 - 1965 Chevelle
24 1961-1964 Impala

13 Speedway economy fiberglass seat
16 Speedway aluminum bomber seat
20.5 Procar "Mustang style" low back seat
21 Scat ProCar Pro-90 Series 1300
21 EMPI molded plastic

Note that the shape - i.e. sides and bolsters - is at least as important as the width. However, it gives you a general idea of size ranges.

[wrightcomputing]

The ever popular Kirkey budget seat come in 14.5, 15.5 (My size good for 180-220lb guys) and 17.5.

[Lonnie-S]

Here is a downloadable survey and reference paper that will give you information on all the factors having to do with seat design and comfort. It's more data than most want to deal with, but if you're interested in making the best design you can for your situation, this will help you.

It's comprehensive. It's detailed. It's authoritative. It's FREE.

Seating comfort/design paper (PDF) at the University of Michigan ==> http://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream ... 01.001.pdf

Cheers,

[Lonnie-S]

Alternatively, if you just want some general parameters and don't want the level of detail given on the paper above, here are some general dimensions from successful, aftermarket sport seats, mostly from Corbeau. I lifted these several years ago and can't attribute them now, but thanks to whoever posted them initially on the Internet.

Most will be too wide for the available space in a Locost, and will have to be narrowed, but the other dimension can be very useful too. There's more to the seat than the seat bottom.

Cheers,

Aftermarket-MGB-Seat-Dimensions.jpg

Classic-Bucket-Dimensions.jpg

Corbeau-Sport-Seat-Dimensions.jpg

Corbeau-TRS-Seat-Dimensions.jpg

MGB-Seat-Dimensions.jpg

[TRX]

Perusing seat ideas, I found some steel tractor pan seats. They seem to average 18-1/2 to 19-1/2" wide, a few at 21", and a few as narrow as 17". Some are shallow, others come up to 12" or so in back.

[geek49203]

I was thinking, if I don't want/need adjustable seats, to use the REAR seats out of a Gen 4 Camaro? "Most fun anyone can have in a back seat of a Camaro" or something?

95 camaro rear seats.JPG

[TRX]

The squabs look a lot like Caterham bits...

[Lonnie-S]

Someone on this site has used Camaro jump seats already. Maybe do a search using that term in quotes and see what you get?

Cheers,

[ngpmike]

Someone on this site has used Camaro jump seats already

You may be thinking of Racerdan/wax's build. Take a look.

http://www.locostusa.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=35&t=6355&p=117890&hilit=camaro+rear+seat#p117890

[turbo_bird]

I didn't use camaro parts, but I did hack up the leather rear seat from a Taurus SHO for my seat cushions. It turned out pretty good I think.
Kristian

[geek49203]

Thank you to those who turned me on to RacerDan's build on the back seats.

There are no new ideas, just newly rediscovered ideas? I'm using the same motor as him too I see, and wondering if we're using the same rear axle... so why not rip off, er, borrow another one of his great ideas?

[ngpmike]

Geek, I believe Wax's rear axle came out of an Olds Bravada. Your's?

[geek49203]

Geek, I believe Wax's rear axle came out of an Olds Bravada. Your's?

S-10, I installed the posi, anxious to see if it all works.

[tibimakai]

19.5" wide ND MX-5. I had to remove the side plastic covers and handles. I will trim the handles and they will go back.

[doommachine]

Kirkey 17.5 55 series with cover. Fits perfect in the 19" gap between frame rails on my 442 chassis. May do a 16 in passenger side at some point as well