9 replies to this topic

[runkthepunk]

Hi guys

I was hoping someone might be able to help me out regarding early 90s John Cooper Garages brochures. Between 1990 and 1995 would probably contain the info I am after.

I am particularly interested in any information regarding the chunky corbeau gts seats with the black lightening fabric centres (black lightening is the standard cooper interior fabric)

Any help or a point in the right direction is appreciated.

Thanks

Rob

[minidizzy]

The John Cooper seats first appeared in the 1993 JCG brochure in either black leather (£479.40) or plain black cloth (£229.13). Both had the Cooper logo stitched in.

In the 1995 brochure they were offered in black leather (£585.15) or a range of leather colours to order or in a range of fabrics to order (£279.00). The cloth seats could be ordered with Rover lightning for the centre panel. There was also a seat piping option.

A set of Grand Prix leather seat covers to fit over standard SPi seats were offered in a range of colours for £748.71. That was for the front and rear seats.

The brochures did not show the full range of colours available and the pictures only show black or cream.

In the 1997 brochure the cloth option is removed. The price remained at £585.15 for black leather. Coloured leather was £658.00 including vinyl piping. They would also quote for leather piping.

The 1999 brochure has the same option and prices. They also offered Recaro leather seats but these were to order and no prices were quoted.

In all brochures matching rear seats were offered on an exchange basis. They simply recovered the standard Rover seats.

Recliners do not feature in the 2001 brochure but the Winter 2000 price list has front and rear sets at £995 for black leather and £1150 for coloured leather, suppled and fitted.

​All the prices I have quoted included VAT.

[runkthepunk]

Thanks minidizzy!

Basically I have a set of (currently very dirty) corbeau gts seats with black lightening centres, black leather/vinyl bolsters but they do not have the cooper logo just the corbeau one in the same place. The stitching is red and they match the original style interior very well. They were removed from a 1991 car that had a walnut dash and John Cooper signature clocks.

here are a couple of pics:

 

 

 

The seats are dirty and the fabric just needs tightening and regluing but other wise very high quality.

 

I think they are early John Cooper Garages seats or at worst a very good custom job made during the same period

Edited by runkthepunk, 11 February 2015 - 11:48 AM.

[Wise Old Elf]

 

 

They are nice though :) Are you going to sell them?

[minidizzy]

You can see most of the John Cooper brochures at:

http://www.minipassi...s/brochures.htm

Just to correct my earlier post. The seats first appeared in the 1992 brochure, which is not on that site. The picture is the same. The walnut dashboard was introduced in that brochure but the signature dials did not appear until the 1995 brochure.

I think the Cooper recliner was a standard Corbeau model, which was customised for JCG. Perhaps yours were an early version made to order.

The Cooper merchandising business evolved slowly through the 90s. I have a set of Cooper floor mats and only the driver's mat has a logo. My Cooper door furniture does not have John Cooper's signatures as they were not featured until later. I believe the earliest Cooper Moto-Lita steering wheels did not have the signature either.

[runkthepunk]

Thanks guys.

That was my thoughts regarding the lack of cooper logos/signatures. As I say think very early or as minidizzy says custom order seats. They are very comfy and supportive that's for sure and finding them with the black lightening centres was a huge bonus for me as I dont really like full leather seats.

Sadly my cooper is fighting the rust monster and isn't winning so I may have to sell all my mini parts including these seats. I am going to get them spruced up first though and give them a real good clean!

Edited by runkthepunk, 17 February 2015 - 11:54 AM.

[purplerob]

If you have to sell them let me no I may be intrested

[Anthony30]

Very nice seats, If I had the money I would be making you an offer.  Is it still possible to get hold of the black lightning material? 

[runkthepunk]

Very nice seats, If I had the money I would be making you an offer.  Is it still possible to get hold of the black lightning material? 

 

Thanks for the positive comments about the seats! The black lightening material is available through newton commercial (and maybe somewhere else) but they will not sell it you as material only you have to have any seats you want made by them. I am surprised no-one has bothered trying to replicate the material as I'm sure it would sell very well.

[Tim J]

Sorry to drag this old thread up

Just to add a bit more info on these seats,

I bought a pair of Corbeau GTS recliners for my old Mini 30 from Newton Commercial in the part lightning / part leather trim combo so it's possible that there are a few sets about.

Thanks

Tim