Scheel 101 deconstruction

['69 2800cs]

I need to get my Scheel 101’s over to the upholsterer, but I had a problem. Both seats have the adjustment on the left hand side. Both drivers seats, presumably.

I decided to tear down the worst one and see if I could convert it to a passenger seat.

Outer cover of the knob pries off with a sharp tool, exposing an allen screw.

Once off, you can see the shaft sticks out on the side with the knob.

Other side is just flat.

March 1976

Time to grind off the rivets and see how this all works.

Turns out those center pieces are cams. And as you rotate them you alter the seat back angle.

Swap them side to side, put in some screws to replace the rivets and job done-knob is now on the right!

 

[rblongboarder]

Very interesting. I managed to acquire some nice Recaros from an E21 that I will eventually re-upholster.

Crazy question: have you ever thought of trying to duplicate the frame with aluminum (6061 or 7075) to make a lightweight version? Or.. maybe it's just simpler to buy a carbon fiber frame? Just curious.

 

[eriknetherlands]

Just copying it out of aluminium will greatly reduce the stiffness. Not good in a crash. These seats aren't good to start with, but let's not make it even worse i'd say.
I think they can be lighter and equally stiff, but it'll need a redesign. There are some interesting CAD optimization tools for this, but no skills here for that.

 

[Clubsport_CSi]

Crazy question: have you ever thought of trying to duplicate the frame with aluminum (6061 or 7075) to make a lightweight version? Or.. maybe it's just simpler to buy a carbon fiber frame?

I would select the Scheel (or ASS) 302 Nomex if you want to go into that direction (fiberglass).