Sitting lower in the driver´s seat

[pmansson]

While 6ft2" I nowadays prefer to sit closer to the steering Wheel, rather than driving with straight arms. This means that the seat is slightly higher than when moving it further back.
I would like to sit a bit lower, but have not come to a solution. Ideally I ought to remove the seat and do something to the springs underneath. I have not dared cut off one of the row of springs, but Think that something like this is necessary.
Any suggestions....?

 

[alanmcg]

wire ties

i am same height, and also wanted to sit lower, so i wire tied all the springs in the lower seat to 50% of their normal height - gained me about 2-3 inches.

 

[phead82]

I agree.

Although to be honest, I've never taken an e9 seat apart, so don't really know what the structure/frame looks like. Let's assume though the foam/horse hair material doesn't have enough thickness itself to take some material off without having to touch the structure.
The way to go would probably be to get rid of the springs and either:
- lowering them, suspended with spacers going down
- or replacing them with a welded wire "basket" structure in order to give you the right amount of foam thickness above it.


Anyway. Like said - that's all assumptions since I haven't seen the bare frame yet.

Usually a minimum of 30mm of foam with normal density gives you the right level of comfort. Anything less and you'll have to go for higher density, hence your comfort will be compromised. But that goes for newer seats.

I suggest taking cover and foam/horse hair off and taking it from there?
It's not an irreversible process, right, so you don't have much to loose?

Worst case you put it all back together and live with the driving position you've got.
I'm almost 6'2" and I agree - it's not the best/most comfortable positions, but for me that's also what makes part of the charme of driving those old cars.
Unlike nowadays, where everything is crafted around the driver to fit like a glove, it's actually YOU who has to adapt a bit to these cars.
Ergonomics wasn't then what it is now, meaning the requirements have changed big time over the past years/decades.

Good luck!

 

['69 2800cs]

Here's a shot under the stock seats from my '69. They've been recovered but I assume the rest is original.

 

[PaulinPa]

Naked seat bottom.