Seats Sprite Mk II / Midget Mk I [yes, again]

[RickB]

Ok, I've been looking and emailing and looking.

I think I've settled on these seat coverings from AHspares.

SEAT COVERS-black/red-PAIR MK2 HAN6 14980 ON <span style="font-weight: bold">$200.88</span>

What do you guys think?

 

[George Zeck]

Rick -

Look great. I went with the ebay guy for my Sprite MKII. Had to have them modified (improper fit), but I wanted a special color. That was important to me and worth the aggravation. If your black works for you - go for it.

You'll be happy either way. A new interior looks great on these.

Geo

 

[Midget78]

Can you get headrest covers also?

 

[George Zeck]

Rick -

I noticed you have a 78 Midget with a Nissan A15 (I assume motor).

What car did it come out of? 5 speed? Any significant modifications From the tail end of your post - it was a power upgrade as well. Carb or EFI? If EFI - how did you move that over (big pain or not too bad?).

I've been tempted on a 5 speed - but with Datsun parts becoming scarce - I didn't want to trade something I could get parts for (Sprite rib case) for something I could not (Datsun). Then their is the high cost of the conversion.

Any comments would be appreciated.

Tx-

Geo

 

[RickB]

With the A15 there are a number of 5 speed transmissions that bolt right up.
Even when looking for the "60" model transmissions you are not stuck with finding certain serial numbers that start with "F" so you can get a transmission that will fit in your tunnel a lot easier and of course you don't have to buy an expensive conversion kit. You can gain power with the motor swap, but you lose originality. Also a small cut is needed in the front to accommodate the front lower pulley and the motor mounts have to be changed.

I have a downdraft carburetor on mine, but if you look around you can find the GX head and put side draft carbs on it, webers, delortos or SU's.

I picked up a "60" transmission with new clutch for $150 earlier this month.
To install it I'll buy a new drivers side motor mount and some gear oil, so probably another $50 and 5 hours with BillM's skillful help. :wink:

As far as I know my motor came out of a 1980 Datsun B210 Deluxe. That's the one I say when getting parts and so far they have been right.

 

[RickB]

Sweendog, I don't see any available on their site but they are available elsewhere.

 

[RickB]

These guys are pretty good, I also need rubber seal pieces to fit a replacement windscreen:

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:]XUPY102 SEAT COVERS-black/red-PAIR .. $200.88
XWSN110 SCREEN SEAL-frame to body ... $11.45
XWSN124 PAD-RUBBER-R/H-pillar to body. $3.24
XWSN125 PAD-RUBBER-L/H-pillar to body. $3.24
XUPY150 FOAM SEAT CUSHION pair ... ... $70.56
XUPY152 FOAM SEAT SQUAB pair ..... .... $26.93

Total Price : $316.30 (plus shipping)
[/QUOTE]

 

[GeeBee1]

Rick

Who is your source?

Thanks,
Pat

 

[RickB]

AHspares:

https://www.ahspares.co.uk

 

[68_sprite]

that will look great in your car.

 

[GeeBee1]

Good time to order from them w/ the xchg rate, I have only heard good things about them.

Pat

 

[RickB]

Well since they have an option for them to contact me with shipping cost before sending I clicked that and then sent the order.
Hopefully the shipping isn't going to be terribly expensive.

 

[RickB]

Ok, now for some "how to" questions...

Assuming my new seats don't need too much in the way of reconstruction (frame, metal etc) will this be a simple matter of ripping off the old coverings and "slippping" on the new?

The "FOAM SEAT SQUAB" parts, do they glue in place? That doesn't look like a whole lot of padding back there - what do you all say?

 

[scoutll]

Seatback foam is very thin in the early seats, just like the MK1 Sprite.
I think you will find them a lot mor comfortable than your later seats though. I do.

 

[RickB]

That's what I've heard from others as well.

I'm sure I'll have a lot of questions once I actually get my hands on the seats and the replacement parts!

 

[Whitephrog]

I ordered the red with white trim seat covers and a red panel kit for the Whitephrog from AH Spares yesterday.

 

[RickB]

They really do have some great prices (for us, given the GBP/USD).

I've also heard great things about the quality of their stuff, with the one exception that their side curtain rubber seals are too big for Bugeye side curtains. However they apparently fit MK II Sprite side curtains - which seem to be about an inch longer across the bottom edge.

 

[RickB]

Ray - any action on your order yet?

I received an email reply today, 49.50 GBP for shipping.

New foam bottoms & backs and seat covers and windshield to body seal & post seals for a bit less than $400 US shipped. I think that's pretty good - isn't it?

Hopefully the quality will live up to the reputation.
Now, I need to get those old seats ready for the new stuff!!
Get the old Midget seats out of the Sprite (you still out there 68Sprite?).
Get a nice black carpet kit into the sprite then the new seats.
That's gonna be sweet!! :laugh:

 

[scoutll]

That's everything for less than the list for the seatcovers alone from Moss and a little more than the covers from VB. I would say it's a good deal.

 

[Whitephrog]

Product Quantity Sub Total
GAITER-RUBBER-steering rack 2 £ 9.70
BUSH-front suspension-top 4 £ 4.40
INTERIOR TRIM SET-RED 1 £ 92.50
SEAT COVERS-red/white-PAIR 1 £139.50


Sub Total: £246.10
Total Delivery Cost: £ 59.50
Grand Total: £305.60

All for $452.25. Shipped today.