Evora Seat Modification For 5 Point Harness

[chris_h]

So yesterday I visited Allon White sports cars in Cranfield (Lotus Approved Trim shop) to have them modify my Evora seats so that I can run with a five point harness when on track.

 

I visited about 3 weeks ago to chat to Shaun in their trim shop about my idea (and check the quality of their work for myself) and then I booked the work in for yesterday.

 

Whilst they have done lots of trim work on the Evora for the factory, this was only the second time they had one in the trim workshop. As it was the first seat modification they have done like this on the Evora seats, they let me stay in the workshop to be involved in the various decisions that came up (and also document the process!).

 

So it started out with removing the seats from the car.   These were surprisingly heavy and if in the future if my car becomes more track than road, then is definitely an area where considerable weight could be saved.  (click on the pictures to make them bigger although they are only from my phone)

 

Amazing how big the interior seems without the front seats fitted. (As the car is only a few months old I unfortunately only found 5p under them!)

 

So this is how the seats look as standard.  I've always though the pattern led itself for fitting the third hole in the seat base as it is in the perfect place.

 

So it started by removing the seat base from the frame (4 allen bolts) and taking the leather off the base (it hooks into a grove all the way around)

 

It was no going back time as the scalpel came out!  (He did this really carefully as you'll see later we used the removed bit to create a wedge that fills the hole when the harnesses aren't being used)

 

Next the foam was cut (with what looked like an electric carving knife)

 

Shaun them sewed a new piece of matching leather on to the seat, creating a tube that goes from top through the seatbase.

 

The seat base was then cut with a drill and jigsaw to create a hole.  The seat was then put back together and the tube pulled tight and then cut and stuck around the edge to create a smooth edge.

 

The seat was then fitted back into the car, really happy with the final finish.

 

He then repeated the process on the second seat and then made the wedges that will be fitted when not using the harness.  I'm really happy with these and most people wouldn't notice the seat has been modified. 

 

Amazingly it only took Shaun 3 hours to do both seats including stripping and refitting them back into the car.  It was really enjoyable watching and having a laugh with Shaun and his colleague Rocco who are really skilled craftsmen. 

 

So the only downside is I've lost the heated seat element in the base of the seat (retained the one for the back), not really an issue for me as I've only used them once to make sure they work!  We removed the element so that in the future it could always be refitted.

 

I am really so happy with the final fit, finish and the price (£225) and would definitely recommend Allon White for any trim work.  They seem to be doing jobs for all makes of cars but it is mainly Morgan and Lotus (several Elise and Exige seats in various stages of being retrimmed).

 

So they final bit of the jigsaw is the removable harness bar which I'm working with a roll cage manufacturer to design.  It will go across behind the front seats connecting to the roll bar that the 3 point seat belts currently attach to. 

 

This is the harness I'm going for

 

(Part 2 coming soon hopefully!).

[DeanB]

Wow! Great work, and great value too I reckon.

[Phil S1]

Top job Chris, great to have the replacement section for when the crotch strap's not being used too

[amoss]

Great job. Interesting comment about the weight of the seats.

[a7esk]

_{Great place its their breakfast meet this Saturday when I get mine will need to have a chat on seat mods.}

 

_Eddie.

[MilesH]

Chris, do me a favour, when you decide to sell that car in a few years give me a call Everytime someone asks me what car I would buy if I wanted a track and road trip orientated car I show them a picture of yours......and the changes you're making make it even better!

 

Hope you're well mate

[chris_h]

Yes all good thanks (I'm hoping this one is a keeper, but I'll let you know it that changes!)

[kayj_prod]

Glad to see some quality work there... Did you happen to see my S1 seats in there Chris?  

Need to get back to pick them up... maybe see you Saturday Eddie.

[chris_h]

I did actually, they were the red leather ones sat next to the work bench.

[chrislane]

That looks great. Will be very interested to see what you do with the harness bar chris.

 

Out of interst chris, do you know if the seats are same as in the early evora, but with just a different leather cover. Or are they a completely different seat?

[chris_h]

Same seat. Recaro cs I think they are called (same as Ford Focus RS)

[Bryno]

Nice work that