Le Mans seats and upholstery

[casadecabra]

I’ve reached the stage on the restoration of my 1934 2-seat Le Mans 9 when I need to think about the seats and upholstery. I am probably ok with the backrest as I have the original, albeit in extremely tatty condition, but I have absolutely no idea about the construction of the two seat squabs. If anyone could help me I would be most grateful, for example

What are their overall dimensions and shape?
Do they have a plywood base?
How are they attached to the floor?
Do they have 2” pleats, similar to the backrest?
What filling is used (foam rubber? horsehair?)

Any details, sketches or photos would be extremely useful.

If anyone has an original in any condition that they no longer require I would be very interested. I live in Spain but will be visiting the UK (south-east and midlands) for a few days in mid-October.

I have found a local (Spanish) upholsterer who seems confident that he can undertake the work. It will be interesting to see how he gets on.

David B

[DarcyG]

Hi, of some help may be the first photo of seats in a car that I copied from an unrestored, supposedly original car, I t was taken to show the number of pleats, note the two narrow ones on the side. I am about the same stage as you and have collected photos to help. The other photos may also help with structure etc also see next post for more photos

[DarcyG]

More photos

[DarcyG]

And more - also shows an alternative approach adopted by one person, inspired by MGTD seat style.,

[DarcyG]

Last one - last photo shows carpet back.

[mikeyr]

Last one - last photo shows carpet back.

The carptet back photo of the green seats are my 1.5 4seater, I can take many more pics of that one if anyone needs them. I don't know of any differences between the 2 seater and 4 seater sports, but there may be.

[casadecabra]

Thanks very much Darcy for your detailed and helpful 'photo essay' response which I'm sure will prove a valuable resource for future Le Mans' restorers.

However my early 1934 2-seat Le Mans was originally fitted with a single full width backrest and two separate seat squabs rather than the bucket seats used in the later models (and the 4-seaters). I imagine the squabs were basically similar to those used for the bucket seats but I would appreciate hearing from someone with more specific information about them, especially regarding their dimensions, construction, method of fixing to the floor and whether they were pleated to match the backrest.

David B

[mothy]

My 34 LM had seats as you describe. One backrest and two cushions. I believe they were remade in the 1970s, so originality is not known. I can state that the cushions were held in place by the hi tech solution of a bolt sticking downwards which went through a hole in the floor. No nut. Just worked as a location peg. The car came with two sets of cushions. One set deeper than the other so that a driver with larger thighs could use the shallower ones and get their legs under the steering column.

Roly

[casadecabra]

Thanks Roly. Every snippet helps.
Do you have any photos or other information? Presumably you no longer have the car.

David B

[telco.2]

Hi,
My '34 4 seater was fitted with bucket seats (some original bits were with the car) The backs were carpet covered probably with hidem banding between carpet & leather, but I wasn't too keen on this so upholsterer finished them off like attached photo. There was no visible signs of any fixings for the bases...just seem to sit on the floor!
hope this helps
Bill

[mothy]

I'll have a look for pictures. If not I can go and visit the car. It’s only 4 miles away.

Roly

Thanks Roly. Every snippet helps.
Do you have any photos or other information? Presumably you no longer have the car.

David B

[mothy]

Here goes. If you want the full size photos let me know.

http://www.mothy.co.uk/SLMseats.html

Roly

[DarcyG]

Hi Bill,

What did you mean when you said “upholsterer finished” the carpet? Did you still line the metal back with timber or just “sleeve” fitted the upholstery?

[telco.2]

Hi Darcy,
We still used Singer's original idea of thin ply wood attached the steel seat back; but instead of using hidem banding he sewed a strip of leather to the carpet, tacked it to the ply wood, and then folded it over. Final job was to pull the carpet down tight then tack it to the timber strip at the bottom of the seat back.
Hope that makes sense??
I'm away for a few days - so won't be able to answer any questions till next week end; but I'm always happy to share ideas - even if no one likes my way of doing things!!!!!
Bill

[davida]

Hi David B

The details of the seats etc you will find in the book "Singer Sports cars of the 1930s - identification and restoration" released in 2013.

written by Andreassen and Hardwick.

Best wishes
David A