9 replies to this topic

[WillCarter]

On a post here I saw for the first time FIA historic seats and I thought they were the best looking seats Ive ever seen. If I could find a cheap pair of seats similar to those and have them reupholstered in leather or vinyl, does anyone have a good idea as to how much this would cost me?

The cheapest I could get a pair of FIA historic seats for seems to be around £900. Im not an expert at all about buckets seats but £450+ a seat seems a bit steep.

Edited by WillCarter, 04 October 2017 - 06:32 PM.

[Shooter63]

I think I was quoted around £450.00 for a pair of seats.

Shooter

[WillCarter]

I think I was quoted around £450.00 for a pair of seats.
Shooter

These seats? Where from?

Edit: I realise now that this is a quote for reupholstering, silly me.

Edited by WillCarter, 04 October 2017 - 06:29 PM.

[megamini_jb]

Now that is a beautiful looking seat!

Edited by megamini_jb, 04 October 2017 - 06:29 PM.

[WillCarter]

Also I’d love to see someone’s reupholstered seats

[timmy850]

They are expensive as they are FIA approved to stand up use in racing and keep you safe if you have an accident. When you're building a £50,000+ competition car and need an historic & FIA approved seat you wouldn't think twice

[Midas Mk1]

Design wise they are based on Recaro Pole Positions, amazing seats but like anything, you get what you pay for.

 

Think my Corbeau's were nearly 800 a pair, but then they're worth it. Buy cheap buy twice..

Edited by Midas Mk1, 05 October 2017 - 07:08 AM.

[WillCarter]

I suppose you do have to pay for quality! Think I’m going to have to start saving up for a pair, or at least just one for the time being.

[roberts]

On a post here I saw for the first time FIA historic seats and I thought they were the best looking seats Ive ever seen. If I could find a cheap pair of seats similar to those and have them reupholstered in leather or vinyl, does anyone have a good idea as to how much this would cost me?

The cheapest I could get a pair of FIA historic seats for seems to be around £900. Im not an expert at all about buckets seats but £450+ a seat seems a bit steep.

 

As mentioned above, the seats you are looking at are for FIA events so they cost a lot more (as they have to pass crash tests to get the certificate).

 

However, this doesn't make the seats any better for road use and in fact, in many instances FIA seats are terrible for road use. One of the things that makes them FIA approved is the fixed back, ideally you would rather have a seat that reclines for road use. They are also usually very firm, which is why non FIA approved seats have bigger, more comfy cushioning (check Cobra seats out for more road use style bucket seats).

 

If you look at all "sports models" that usually have Recaro's installed (Ford RS, Honda Type R, Audi S, BMW M etc.) they all recline. You can take them on track days, but you can't enter them into competition (you would need to install FIA approved seats to enter them into competitions, along with adding harnesses etc.).

 

Anyway, this means that for what you are after, you have loads of options and both fixed back and reclining bucket seats are available second hand on eBay for anything between £50 and £200 (depending on condition and if they have an FIA certificate). Plus, if you are looking to have them retrimmed condition of the covers (as long as the foams and bases are in good condition) is not of interest.

 

If you are after quality though, stick to OMP, Cobra, Corbeau etc. you may pay a bit mroe for a pair of second hand seats - but they are miles better than the cheap Chinese imports.

 

We can certainly retrim bucket seats for you and here are a few examples of different styles, to give you a nice idea of the kind of thing that is possible:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Prices start at around £450 (depending on the complexity of the bucket seats, the design you are after and also the materials you would like them trimmed in).

 

So, lot's of ways to get exactly what you are after, for cheaper (and you will also end up with a better seat for road use that is much comfier than an FIA seat).

 

 

Regards,

Andy @ Optimise Automotive

[WillCarter]

On a post here I saw for the first time FIA historic seats and I thought they were the best looking seats Ive ever seen. If I could find a cheap pair of seats similar to those and have them reupholstered in leather or vinyl, does anyone have a good idea as to how much this would cost me?
The cheapest I could get a pair of FIA historic seats for seems to be around £900. Im not an expert at all about buckets seats but £450+ a seat seems a bit steep.

 
As mentioned above, the seats you are looking at are for FIA events so they cost a lot more (as they have to pass crash tests to get the certificate).
 
However, this doesn't make the seats any better for road use and in fact, in many instances FIA seats are terrible for road use. One of the things that makes them FIA approved is the fixed back, ideally you would rather have a seat that reclines for road use. They are also usually very firm, which is why non FIA approved seats have bigger, more comfy cushioning (check Cobra seats out for more road use style bucket seats).
 
If you look at all "sports models" that usually have Recaro's installed (Ford RS, Honda Type R, Audi S, BMW M etc.) they all recline. You can take them on track days, but you can't enter them into competition (you would need to install FIA approved seats to enter them into competitions, along with adding harnesses etc.).
 
Anyway, this means that for what you are after, you have loads of options and both fixed back and reclining bucket seats are available second hand on eBay for anything between £50 and £200 (depending on condition and if they have an FIA certificate). Plus, if you are looking to have them retrimmed condition of the covers (as long as the foams and bases are in good condition) is not of interest.
 
If you are after quality though, stick to OMP, Cobra, Corbeau etc. you may pay a bit mroe for a pair of second hand seats - but they are miles better than the cheap Chinese imports.
 
We can certainly retrim bucket seats for you and here are a few examples of different styles, to give you a nice idea of the kind of thing that is possible:
 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Prices start at around £450 (depending on the complexity of the bucket seats, the design you are after and also the materials you would like them trimmed in).
 
So, lot's of ways to get exactly what you are after, for cheaper (and you will also end up with a better seat for road use that is much comfier than an FIA seat).
 
 
Regards,
Andy @ Optimise Automotive

Thank you! I’ll definitely have a look into it, seems to he the way to go, especially as I only use it for driving normally.