Sitting low in a Miata?

Max_Archer wrote: Bride makes, or used to make, a seat that's actually specifically fitted to the Miata. They're so closely contoured that they have to make separate left and right versions. I think you have to find somebody who can get one from Japan, though, I don't know that I've ever seen a US distributor carry them.

Actually, the sliders are a different distance apart on each side of the car. So if the sliders bolt directly to the seat, you need either two sets of mounting points (not sure if there would be interference or not) or a left and right seat. If the angle of the seat can be adjusted, you definitely need a left and right so you can reach the adjuster.

Keith wrote:

Max_Archer wrote: Bride makes, or used to make, a seat that's actually specifically fitted to the Miata. They're so closely contoured that they have to make separate left and right versions. I think you have to find somebody who can get one from Japan, though, I don't know that I've ever seen a US distributor carry them.

Actually, the sliders are a different distance apart on each side of the car. So if the sliders bolt directly to the seat, you need either two sets of mounting points (not sure if there would be interference or not) or a left and right seat. If the angle of the seat can be adjusted, you definitely need a left and right so you can reach the adjuster.

The ones I remember seeing were fixed buckets, so no adjusting. But the whole seat itself was asymmetrical, as I recall it had a bigger bolster on the door side than on the center console side, so that you'd have more clearance for shifting, among other things. I guess it makes sense given the slider issue.

Fred from the dead...

I've tried a couple of seats and now have a nice collection .

First seat I tried was an Aerodesign Notus with a set of adapters made by "ryokorob" on clubroadster. The seat drops you quite considerably but I didn't find it too comfortable on longer runs - it just didn't quite agree with my physique. Well, it's actually a little too big for me. Also, one of the shoulder 'wings' would need tweaking as it hits the door card. OTOH if you're built a little more sturdy than I am, this seat looks like a good choice (and it's for sale, too...).

Second seat(s) I tried were a couple of "mail order Bride" Vios III replicas on original Bride rails. With the cushions in the seat, the seat height is roughly the same as with the OEM seats, however I just about fit in the car with a helmet on if I take the cushions out - I have probably about 3/4 clearance to the hardtop in a comfy seating position. So that looks like the best solution for now. Depending on how the Miata works out in the longer term - I still have some concerns about the engine, especially since I found a couple of unpleasant metal bits attached to the magnetic oil drain plug - I might eventually upgrade the seats to real Brides.

Jeff LaBounty at AutoTechnik makes sliders for his rental Spec Miatas. They aren't exactly pretty, but they do the job. I ran one of his cars at the 13hr at VIR a couple of times. The first year, my co-drivers ranged from 5'8" to 6'5", and I'm 6'2". They went from seat all the way forward to all the way back between them, with no clearance issues.