Early BN4 Seat Covers

I am going to replace my seat covers on an EARLY BN4. Back in the 80’s the seat pans (but not backs) were replaced with used ones of unknown Healey year.
My question: What is the difference between EARLY BN4 seat covers compared to the late BN4’s and 3000’s.

Thanks,
Rich
57BN4

Heres a BN4. Seat cushion base is wood, 3000 cushion bases were steel. The main difference in appearance with BN4's is the seat back piping runs around the ear of the seat instead of cutting across the ear to the back.

This page explains all the differences.

https://www.healeysix.net/LongbridgeInt.htm

I understand the difference between the early BN4-BN1 seat covers piping is different but physically are they the same? Will seat covers from a BN1 fit a BJ7 and vise versa?
Here is my dilemma, I ordered new seat covers and wooden seat bases for my longbridge BN4 and now realize I have the newer style metal seat bases and frames. Did I screw up and need to return everything?

CessnaTPA said:

I understand the difference between the early BN4-BN1 seat covers piping is different but physically are they the same? Will seat covers from a BN1 fit a BJ7 and vise versa?
Here is my dilemma, I ordered new seat covers and wooden seat bases for my longbridge BN4 and now realize I have the newer style metal seat bases and frames. Did I screw up and need to return everything?

Click to expand...

I'm sure the early BN4 seat covers and wooden bases will fit in the newer metal frames. The backs are identical, but the BN4 adds a wooden tack rail to the lower back.

I agree, they should fit. You could add the tack strip to the bottom and make them like the earlier style. The set bases are different in appearance but should still function the same. Be sure to wrap the frames in vinyl like the longbridge cars as well.
Jim

CessnaTPA, do you have the lower profile Longbridge metal bases that the wood frames sit in, as shown in the above post by healeyblue? I believe with the later bases, the cushion just sits within the metal base, and the whole thing is covered with the leather or vinyl, without the wood frame, and then it sits within the frame shown in your post. Those tabs at the back are where the back of the metal seat base clips under and pushes back, in an attempt to keep the set base in place. This is the same approach used on Bugeyes and Mk2 Sprites / Mk1 Midgets . As healeyblue shows, the early metal pans can bolt directly to the floor on the passenger side or to the slider rails on the drivers side. On my early #750 Longbridge BN4, I had sliders on both sides and these were also mounted on cedar rails to lift off the carpet and allow the sliders to work. The seat bases were trashed so I bought later model repro seat bases and then found on eBay a good set or early metal bases as well, so need to decide which to use.
Cheers
Lew

CessnaTPA, where did you get the wood frames from ? I think the seat covers will work for either, but you will only need the wood frame with the earlier metal bases, which are lower profile that the later metal bases. Thanks
Lew

lewmac said:

CessnaTPA, where did you get the wood frames from ? I think the seat covers will work for either, but you will only need the wood frame with the earlier metal bases, which are lower profile that the later metal bases. Thanks
Lew

Click to expand...

No I don't have the seat frames like Healey Blue. I got the wooden seat bases from Moss. I'm going to call Moss tomorrow and verify their BN1 seat kit will fit the newer metal bases. If so I will return the wooden bases and reuse the metal ones I currently have. They have a lot of surface rust but I think they will cleanup. Hindsight I shouldn't have just placed the order based on the VIN number. Thanks for the help.

RichsBN4 said:

I am going to replace my seat covers on an EARLY BN4.....
My question: What is the difference between EARLY BN4 seat covers compared to the late BN4’s and 3000’s.

Thanks,
Rich
57BN4

Click to expand...

In My restoration of one early BN4 1957 -I followed DerekJ-site photos and considerations-for the rebuild works I followed the works of BORAS shop
in this album you can find some interesting foto collect for the rebuilding
https://goo.gl/photos/GHtf9JbRWCjKZWJw6

Thanks guys for the feedback. I've decided to return the wooden seat bases and exchange the front seat kit for the later BN4 version since I already have the later seat frames and bases in good condition. After talking to Moss they couldn't confirm if their BN1,BN2 early BN4 seat kits would fit the newer type seat bases.
I know it's not going to look original but I don't want to replace (spend $660 more) perfectly good seat frames & bases just for minor appearance changes that 99% of people won't even notice.