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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Seats and seat belts.

It's only taken one day to remember what a pain static seatbelts are. I have seen that inertia reel belts are available so it would be interesting to know what experience people have had with them and the best ones to get.

I found that the seats had sagged quite a bit and provided no lumbar support at all which became pretty uncomfortable after hours in the car. Renovate or replace and if replace what to choose.

All suggestions gratefully received.
Roger D

MGF seats are a popular and comfortable replacement, often available in leather and not expensive if you shop around. Though maybe not so easy to find in France? MX5 ones also fit easily and may be easier to source for you.
GuyW

Well done getting home and without mishap!
Securon do good inertia reel seatbelts
http://www.securon.co.uk/seatbelts_layouts.htm
or give them a ring to discuss your needs, they're usually very helpful.
Jeremy MkIII

The Securon ones look like a good bet.

Seats are a bit tricky even if they fit, do they feel right. It would be interesting to hear from anyone who has fitted MGF or MX5 seats.
Roger D

I have leather MGF seats in my 1275. Cost was £10 for the pair on eBay, but that was a few years ago!! They fit well, plenty of support. Swap left to right to make it easier to get at adjustment knobs.

And I fitted Securon belts in my Frog, just make sure you get the correct version with the retraction reel on the top of the wheel arch, not down by the floor- there isn't room there!
GuyW

Just replacing the seat base diaphragm (or webbing) can make a big difference as it gives more supports and sits you a bit higher in the car. You could experiment by putting something stiff between the diaphragm (or webbing) and base cushion. Kits or parts are available to refurb the seat cushions and covers. You'd also want to check the seat frame, especially the drivers side.

I find the seats OK especially when refurbished even on longer journeys, say a couple of hundred miles in a day.

I've never been certain about other seats as getting in and out of the Spridget with the small door openings would put bolsters in the way for me.

I was in my neighbour's TR8 last week and that has Honda S2000 seats which felt good on the short run he did.

My midget had MGOC seatbelts and I wasn't over impressed with them so swapped to Securon which I've been happy with but I did also use the previous offset brackets with them to avoid the hood frame one side. I have the Securon fitting details as JPGs if you want them.

Image1 is a set of later seat frames (not mine) cardboard type backing left on for some reason.






Nigel Atkins

I had MGF seats in my last Midget. They fit easily enough but you must use the passenger seat for the driver and vice versa, otherwise you can't get at the backrest knob. You also have to cut off the rear leg on the seat base and I welded a bar across the front to line up with the holes in the Midget floor.
Mike Howlett

I've just replaced the webbing on my seat and it has transformed it. Lots of places were out of stock but I got one at what I thought was a reasonable price from PJM Motors (£19.50 + vat & £4.50 carriage with Hermes). www.pjm-motors.com

Fun to fit, but I discovered a couple of tricks that helped a lot.

Jon
Jonathan Severn

This thread was discussed on 28/07/2021

MG Midget and Sprite Technical index

This thread is from the archive. The Live MG Midget and Sprite Technical BBS is active now.