UPDATE - New front and rear seats are installed.

Scott-Drolet · Post by **Scott-Drolet** » Wed Mar 20, 2013 5:04 am

UPDATED POST

After driving the Manxter almost 150 miles, I've come to the conclusion that the Corbeau seats have to go. The seat part is fine, but the back is just too stiff and seems to always be at an odd angle. I went to the garment district in downtown Los Angeles yesterday, specifically 9th Street and Los Angeles Avenue where all of the fabric suppliers are located. The prices for upholstry fabric and supplies are incredibly reasonable, so I bought a couple yards of a few types of fabric to see how they'd look in the black OMP seat's center section.

First up: Sunbrella fabric in white with black stripes. This would look killer both on the seats and as a tonneau top. Unfortunately, though, it'll be really hard to keep clean.

Next up, Sunbrella again, this time grey, yellow, and white

The one shade of yellow matches the Meyers manx Logo yellow perfectly:

Next is my personal favorite, polyester and silk blend in green, orange, rust, black and yellow with a herringbone pattern. It has a lot more detail and texture than the sunbrella fabric, and looks killer in-person.

I'm going back and forth between the yellow stripe and the multicolor, but hope to make a decision today so I can take them to the upholstery guy tomorrow. What do you guys think?

Scott

ORIGINAL POST

Tonight I got home from work and took my permanently mounted Corbeau driver's seat out of the Manxter to see if I could fit some universal sliding tracks under it. Coincidentally, a pair of OMP Vintage Brand Hatch seats I bought off of Craigslist in Texas arrived. I had planned to use these seats in my regular Manx, as I really like the look of lowbacks. Well, you don't have to be Nostradamus to figure I had the seat out of the Manxter and this other seat just sitting there . . . . So here's where I'd like your opinion:

Heres' the car as it sits . . . Corbeau seats. Pros: they're heated, monogrammed & leather. Cons: Bolted directly to the floor I feel like I'm sitting just a little too high. They seem too big to me for the space.

The Challenger: OMP Vintage Hatch Brand seats. ("Vintage" is part of the name, these are a couple years old). Pros: I like the style of them. Lowbacks. Very comfortable, narrow and fit the space well. Cons: not heated, not leather.

So there you have it! As far as style, I would also contemplate changing out the center fabric to either a bright pattern or solid color (red, maybe?) to make the seats pop a bit. Whichever seats I go with, I will have matching rear seat covers made and install the buckets back there to match.

Please vote and vote often!

dcamomanx · Post by **dcamomanx** » Wed Mar 20, 2013 6:07 pm

Scott,

I like the new seats, but here is my 2 cents. What I have learned is it doesnt matter what I think looks and feel right, if your passanger (in my case Jen) doesnt like the seats, I get to hear how uncomfortable she finds my suspension seats.

Good luck

Great looking Manxter by the way

Doran

Scott-Drolet · Post by **Scott-Drolet** » Wed Mar 20, 2013 9:25 pm

HA! Thanks Doran . . .I hadn't thought of that. I do like the look of the tan color of the Corbeaus, but I also like the way the OMP's feel when I'm sitting in them. They have high sides and really hold you in. I'll probably install them both this weekend and see how they drive.

jsturtlebuggy · Post by **jsturtlebuggy** » Thu Mar 21, 2013 3:15 am

The Corbeaus' when I look at them they are so big at the top they detract from the lines of the Manxter.
If they were shorter or the Manxter body was raised it would change them to be more proportional in size in my opinion.

Ed-Chenal · Post by **Ed-Chenal** » Thu Mar 21, 2013 5:08 am

Choosing seats can be tough for the average buggy owner.
Perhaps you could switch the seats back and forth.
When you're looking at the car, put the good looking seats in.
When you're driving the car, put the comfortable seats in.

bhcrelaxed · Post by **bhcrelaxed** » Fri Apr 19, 2013 3:07 am

Seats look comfy. But, where is the seat belt holes on the sides? How are you going to ensure seat belts pulling you down in the seat?

Scott-Drolet · Post by **Scott-Drolet** » Sun Apr 21, 2013 11:06 pm

Good Point, There are seat belt holes underneath that come through the sides of the bottom seat cushion from the floor. While they would be just fine if I was using lap belts, I'd have to modify the sides to accept the over-the-shoulder three-point seatbelts I currently have. Of course, I'm not all that skinny and I probably stick out farther than the depth of the sides

.

towd-dude · Post by **towd-dude** » Mon Apr 22, 2013 3:37 am

Scott,
I like the polyester and silk blend in green, orange, rust, black and yellow with a herringbone pattern best too.

Bob

DIESELDOOG · Post by **DIESELDOOG** » Mon Apr 22, 2013 4:27 pm

Have to agree with Towd Dude on the fabric choice.

1856 · Post by **1856** » Tue Apr 23, 2013 3:37 am

AHaa... Have you tried an Irish plaid ?
MnC

Tom-Kathleen · Post by **Tom-Kathleen** » Tue Apr 23, 2013 5:05 am

Scott, here's my $0.02. This is from the female perspective. I like the sumbrella fabric that matches the Meyers Manx emblem. It's colorful and primary colors are pleasing to the eye. Now having said that, I would use some of the colors of the seat elsewhere in the buggy. Using touches of the color will make the seats and other items stand out. Things like brake calipers, cofee cups, shifter boot, nobs, instruments and the list goes on....
I would also purchase extra fabric. If you ever decide to upholster the sides of the car, it would be a really nice touch to have some of the fabric there, say like map pockets. You could also have a bag made that matches the seats. No, I don't mean a purse,

I mean like a PRP bag or beach bag.
Kathleen

Scott-Drolet · Post by **Scott-Drolet** » Fri Apr 26, 2013 4:25 am

A funny thing happened on the way to the upholstery shop . . . . Frank, the guy who does my upholstery repairs in Glendale, California (as opposed to Guillermo at Tapiceria 70 in Ensenada, Mexico . . . long story) crapped all over the fabric I wanted to use. Apparently, since it was made for interior use, it would fade (badly and quickly) because I needed to use fabric intended for auto interiors. So, back to the drawing board!

Frank has literally thousands of fabric samples from every era, for every car model that has been manufactured. I am not exaggerating. It is daunting to look at the selection he carries. After spending more than an hour looking at samples, they all start to look the same. But, I did come up with something I really like that was originally used on a 1960's British sports car. The choice surprised me a little bit because it's not a color I ever thought I'd go with. But, it just feels right for the buggy. I even had Frank order an extra two yards so I could use the fabric for some of the items you suggested Kathleen, including center sections for the rear seat covers and side panels. I can't wait to get the seats back. Frank will have them done by the end of next week. I'll post pics as soon as I have them.

Thanks for the advice Kathleen. Having seen your Manxter close up, I know you know what you're talking about. You have a killer interior. By the way, I hear that you actually broke your ankle in Buellton. I'm so sorry to hear that, I hope you mend quickly!

Tom-Kathleen · Post by **Tom-Kathleen** » Mon Apr 29, 2013 2:12 pm

Too bad your first fabric didn't work out. It can be very difficult to find just what you want. I'm glad you found another choice you're happy with.

Yes, sadly I did break my ankle. I walked around on it for 3 days before I went to the emergency room. We even hiked (or rather I limped) Point Lobo.

Tom has been a good nurse-maid. The crutches made the rest of vacation interesting. We're home and I see the orthopedic doc this afternoon. I guess I find out if I go back to work or not.

Kathleen

towd-dude · Post by **towd-dude** » Mon Apr 29, 2013 2:50 pm

So sorry to hear the bad news. I hope chasing our dogs around didn't aggravate the brake... I hope you mend quickly. Leaving the dogs at home for MOTB. Looking forward to seeing you both then.

Bob

Scott-Drolet · Post by **Scott-Drolet** » Mon Apr 29, 2013 11:04 pm

Talk a put being a trooper, she bounced around in the back of the Burro for eighty miles, too. She didn't complain once! Hope you're back on your foot soon:)