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MG MGB GT V8 Factory Originals Technical - Fiero seats - height question ...

It's my understanding that we now have the know-how to install Fiero seats in an MGB using the stock B seat rails and requiring no alterations to the holes drilled in the floor, etc. My question is, when that is done, does the seat hold the driver higher or lower than a stock B seat does? I ask because I drive a GT and I have very, very little headroom with the stock seats -- I'd like to install Fiero seats but if they hold the driver a fraction of an inch higher, they won't work. Someone please comment. Thanks.
Bill Withum

I am also interested in the Fiero seat. Would any one know of a link where there is a picture I could look at?

Bruce
Bruce

This might give you an idea the difference of the two seats.
http://members.aol.com/goneguy/seats.jpg
I have other pictures someplace but cannot find them now.
Dana

I do the Fiero conversion all the time for customers....you don't use anything from the MG seats...you have to have a pair of Fiero seats & an extra set of Fiero seat rails to make the conversion...I talk about it on my website http://www.theautoist.com/v8project.htm
...I then upholster them in Mr. Mike's leather upholstery...
...they sit at about the same height as the MG--maybe giving your butt a litle lift--with you head at about the same height in relation to windshield...your body has much better support, however...&, they will slide farther back from the steering wheel & the seatback tilts to wonderful new positions...&, those speakers in the seats solve our wind/noise problems!!!
Tony Barnhill

Aha, that's it! So you're not trying to mate the Fiero seats to the MGB rails. Can you mount up the Fiero rails using the same bolt holes? If so, it's certainly worth a try. I ain't a-drillin' new holes in my floor, that's all.
Bill Withum

Fiero seats are great but I like Miata seats even better. They are smaller and look better in the B. I am approx 5' 8" so fit the Miata seats OK...taller people might like the Fiero seats better. Fitting instructions are available from me if you would like them just email me.
Martyn Harvey

Bill: Yes, you can mount the Fiero seats in the original MGB holes...look on my web site for instructions for modifying them to fit....
Tony Barnhill

dana, that fiero seat looks great. where did you get the seat cover for it? is it custom?
jeff

Guys, I assume that the Fiero seats have no ability to tilt forward, like the OE MG seats do?? Not that that back seat in a GT is of much use for people, but it's handy to be able to put stuff back there sometimes.
Terrence

Good question Terrence,
Do the Fiero seats tilt forward to allow access to the battery etc in a roadster?
And the Miata seats, now that could be interesting as well. Do they have speakers in the head rests? Do they tilt forward? And would any one have a picture of them?

Bruce

Bruce

I think the fiero seats are great and they do tilt forward. One thing I really like about them is that you can comfortably lay your head back on the headrest while driving without having to turn the volume way up due the the speakers in headrest. I can completely recommend Mr Mikes. He supplies the leather covers(seperate back and seat), foam, glue, hog rings, pliers (although do your hand a favor and buy some better hog ring pliers) -everything you need to do the job along with a video on how to do it. The fit is very good with no wrinkles and my seats felt brand new again. He also supplies leather covers for the top rail on the doors and perhaps other thing for MG. The MG logo on the seats really makes them stand out.
http://www.mrmikes.com/
joaquin

I've fitted and driven both Fiero and Miata seats. I upgraded speakers in the Miata seats - they are the best for me. If you keep the original seat covers, the Miata match the black interior really nicely whereas the Fiero look terrible (IMHO) in the stock velour-like material.
I just fitted leather MGB seats in my other roadster (to keep the original look) and they are surprisingly comfortable and look great too, if you want originality.
Anybody interested in beautiful leather MGB seats (excellent leather, excellent price) - just email me, I have more.
Martyn Harvey

Well, both seats are available with speakers in the headrest, and both we know fit.

Miata seats around here are apparently going for a premium as a club friend paid $200 for a pair in what I would call "medium" condition. I bought a pair of miata seat a while back for $75 but niether I nor the yard knew that the driver's seat was twisted up.

On the hieght issue, being 6'4" this is a very big issue for me. Which seat sits you lower in the car?
Larry Embrey

I kinda hope some of us will heed Martyn. The problem with the Fiero seats -- though indisputable that they probably support you a bit better than the MGB seats -- is that they look so utterly out of place. Mr. Mike's covers are great, but they can't conceal the fact that you're mixing apples and oranges, especially with the older chrome cars. If you rebuild the OE seats carefully, and perhaps rock them back a little using washers between the frame and the rails, and also put in an inflatable lumbar support in the back, you should be in pretty good shape. The currently available back foams seem to curve around you a little more than the OE ones did, and they'll hold you in place laterally pretty well.
Terrence

I like the idea of putting new seats in my 74.5 MG. The original seats have never really supported me as firmly I would like. (even after new foam backing). Since putting in the V8, originality is not really an issue for me. I don’t mind deviating from originality as long as it is improving/up grading the car. After all it is now 27 years old and technology has come a long way. Brakes, headlights etc
Do the Fiero seats only come stock in velour material? The coast of recovering them would have to weighed in.
And what years of cars do the Fiero and Miata seats come out of?

Bruce

Bruce

I believe seats from all Years of both cars will fit, Though not all years and models had speakers in the headrest, though I think the cavity for them was ther. I am unsure if the new body style of miatas use different seats or not, worth checking out though..
Larry Embrey

Can someone post a pic of Miata seats? Also, are there any replacement seats that use separate headrests -- I think that alone would make 'em look much more appropriate in an old MG.
Bill Withum

jeff in CA: my seat covers came from Mr. Mike's in FL.
Tony Barnhill's site has all the info about them.
Dana

This is what they look like in the car:
http://members.aol.com/goneguy/in-car.jpg
Dana

bill withum, the three sets of miata seats that are currently on ebay all have integrated headrests, much like the fiero seats. so they won't look any more authentic in that regard.
jeff

Weigh in time:

I agree that the Fiero seats would look out of place in my Dad's '63 MGB, especially with the factory cloth covers. I also agree with Martyn that the Miata seats are a bit more svelte looking. But, I have sat in some very fine & very comfortable Fiero seats w/ Mr. Mike's covers in MGBs. I think they look just fine in the later MGs. The Miata's that I tried didn't have as much lower back support, though. The newest one's seem improved in that regard.

The Fiero seats I tried in MGs were about the same height to maybe a bit higher than stock with the exception of Larry Hoy's. I was pleasantly surprised to be able to see thru the middle of the windshield instead of the top of the windshield frame being in my way (Oh, how I wish MGBs had a thin frame like an E-type Jag). Larry cut off the stock mounting feet and fastened some flat steel to the seat tracks and lowered the seats considerably. A big plus for us tall guys. Thanks Larry.

As for aesthetics, Miatas & BMW Z3s both have seats with intregal headreats that stick out above the cockpit. I don't think it looks much different than the stock seats on my '79 MGB.

So go with what you thinks looks good and is comfortable for the long haul.
Carl

I have a set of black leather Miata seats in my (almost) 1966 MGV8 & I don't think they look the least bit out of place. Sorry I don't have a link but I do haver pictures. Glad to send the pictures to someone who can post them. I have lots of driving miles on both Fiero & Miata seats. Both are comfortable, the Miata seate are a better fit in the car, & I prefer the Miatas. If you are an autocrosser, you will get better lateral support from the Fieros.
jim

What are the speakers like in both the Fiero and Miata?
Bruce
Bruce

This thread was discussed between 27/07/2002 and 02/08/2002

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