Carbon racing seats - what are they worth? | FerrariChat

Carbon racing seats - what are they worth?

Discussion in '456/550/575' started by euromuscle, Jan 14, 2017.

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  1. euromuscle

    euromuscle Rookie

    Dec 6, 2009
    16
    SE Michigan
    Full Name:
    Nick
    I would appreciate opinions as to the value of a used set from a 575m. I have searched though have not come across any real data points. Obviously a rare option.

    Thanks!
     
  2. MogulBoy

    MogulBoy Formula Junior

    Sep 23, 2004
    972
    Devon
    Can you describe them / see a part number on them?

    They were available in three widths (NARROW, MIDDLE and LARGE) and also in all(?) of the standard leather colours. You could of course then specify the colour of the couture and I’ve seen some with fabric inserts.

    Any of the above factors could limit the resale value but if the size is acceptable, they can always be re-trimmed to taste.

    The late great gsjohnson who used to post on here sourced a used set in Australia for circa $6k for upon which he proceeded to have the couture changed from red to yellow!

    https://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/456-550-575-sponsored-bradan/466287-yelo-550-tribute-steve-gs-johnson-4.html

    See posts 251, 257 & 315

    P.S. It will cost you $15 to register (see Paid Subscriptions link at the top right hand side of your screen) upon which you could post pictures and ultimately list them for sale in the classifieds if you so choose...
     
  3. euromuscle

    euromuscle Rookie

    Dec 6, 2009
    16
    SE Michigan
    Full Name:
    Nick
    Thanks for the reply.

    The seats are currently in my storage facility, so I can't quickly check the part numbers. I believe they are the large size and Blu Scuro with white stitching.

    $6k sounds like an absolute steal?

    [​IMG]
     
  4. Oengus

    Oengus F1 World Champ
    Rossa Subscribed Silver Subscribed

    damn, if they were beige/tan Id be all over them
     
  5. INTMD8

    INTMD8 F1 Veteran
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Jun 10, 2007
    6,775
    Lake Villa IL
    Sounds good to me :D
     
  6. euromuscle

    euromuscle Rookie

    Dec 6, 2009
    16
    SE Michigan
    Full Name:
    Nick
    Hah! Funny!

    At least now you know I'm doing some research....
     
  7. henryr

    henryr Two Time F1 World Champ
    Silver Subscribed

    Nov 10, 2003
    22,420
    Atlanta
    Full Name:
    Juan Sánchez Villa-L
    good luck....

    i don't think those are authentic or have been recovered. hard to tell without all the pics of labels, etc on the back. look like the normal sparcos/recaros to me...

    where is the "horse" on the headrest ?
     
  8. tres55

    tres55 F1 Rookie
    Rossa Subscribed

    Sep 18, 2012
    3,572
    Canada
    I have blue scuro interior on my 550 and that colour looks much brighter.
     
  9. MogulBoy

    MogulBoy Formula Junior

    Sep 23, 2004
    972
    Devon
    #9 MogulBoy, Jan 15, 2017
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    I guess there is blu scuro and Blu Scuro.

    The latter is so dark that it rarely comes out well in photographs - but you can look for the contrast with areas that are positively black such as the HVAC panel or the metal structure of the steering wheel.

    The embossed headrest cavallinos would be a challenge for the most competent trimmers as I believe they are vac formed onto a gel mould which sounds like it would require some investment.

    Sourcing the correct mounting hardware would be the final challenge.
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  10. henryr

    henryr Two Time F1 World Champ
    Silver Subscribed

    Nov 10, 2003
    22,420
    Atlanta
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    Juan Sánchez Villa-L
    the seats in question are not blue scuro

    i searched for some time for a trimmer that could replicate the "horse" to no avail.....

    some didnt even want to pursue for trademark issues.
     
  11. INTMD8

    INTMD8 F1 Veteran
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Jun 10, 2007
    6,775
    Lake Villa IL
    Fwiw I'm trying to buy these for my F355 and if I do will have them re-upholstered.

    As I understand it, these were pre-production, maybe prototype seats that did not come out of a 575 but the same model seat.

    Trying to arrive at a fair price.
     
  12. henryr

    henryr Two Time F1 World Champ
    Silver Subscribed

    Nov 10, 2003
    22,420
    Atlanta
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    Juan Sánchez Villa-L
    frankly, if they dont have the horse. buy yourself the matching recaro / sparcos.....
     
  13. INTMD8

    INTMD8 F1 Veteran
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Jun 10, 2007
    6,775
    Lake Villa IL
    I don't think you can buy full carbon Recaro or Sparco aftermarket.

    Recaro CS seat, no carbon.

    Sparco SPX has carbon back, composite lower.
     
  14. henryr

    henryr Two Time F1 World Champ
    Silver Subscribed

    Nov 10, 2003
    22,420
    Atlanta
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    these seats are available ....

    i'll see if i have anything in my records. i found a place the would reproduce the 550 versions. some of them were FIA / TUV approved. some not. but at this point that has all expired by age on the originals.

    when i was looking there were actually companies making copies of the recaros/sparcos.

    imho, the value is in the horse. otherwise definitely cheaper to buy new especially if your planning on buying and recovering.
     
  15. euromuscle

    euromuscle Rookie

    Dec 6, 2009
    16
    SE Michigan
    Full Name:
    Nick
    Jim,

    You and I obviously know more about these seats than the 'experts' commenting here. They only thing they may be correct on is the color - I was just going off memory as they are in storage; they could be Blu Medio rather than Blu Scuro.... Oh sorry, I meant blu scuro.
     
  16. Texas Forever

    Texas Forever Eight Time F1 World Champ
    BANNED Rossa Subscribed

    Apr 28, 2003
    85,600
    Texas!
    The standard seats are horrible.
     
  17. henryr

    henryr Two Time F1 World Champ
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    Nov 10, 2003
    22,420
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    LOL, i'll take that to mean me....
     
  18. henryr

    henryr Two Time F1 World Champ
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    Nov 10, 2003
    22,420
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    and if you want to get super technical .... pretty sure these wouldn't be the correct seats for the 355 anyhow as that was a different version ?
     
  19. INTMD8

    INTMD8 F1 Veteran
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Jun 10, 2007
    6,775
    Lake Villa IL
    Yes the 355 seats are different, made by Tir. Sparco's started with the 360 on up.

    Not saying there are not aftermarket full carbon seats that are similar but I have not been able to find any.
     
  20. henryr

    henryr Two Time F1 World Champ
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    Nov 10, 2003
    22,420
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  21. Jürgen Geisler

    Jürgen Geisler Formula Junior

    Jan 16, 2015
    945
    Good old Europe
    Full Name:
    Jürgen
    Love the original 550 seat design, comfortable, well shaped, handcrafted and elaborated..... fit's quiet perfectly for me...

    Just one of the arguments for one of the best GT's ever made....
     
  22. MogulBoy

    MogulBoy Formula Junior

    Sep 23, 2004
    972
    Devon
    euromuscle, - you kicked-off this thread by stating that they were a 'used set from a 575m' but a quick scan of your posting history is illuminating.

    It now it appears that they could be either pre-production examples or even prototypes (not dissimilar from the Enzo seat that you had for sale in 2010 and 2012?), and possibly sourced form your ‘good friend’ who was ‘the 'main man' for many of Sparco's OEM projects’.

    Good luck with the sale – It’s possible that they could be safely engineered to fit a car but as they are, they would certainly look good in someone’s loft apartment, or garage/man cave and they are certainly worth more than enough to cover your prospective $15 registration fee!

    :)
     
  23. tazandjan

    tazandjan Three Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Jul 19, 2008
    39,189
    Clarksville, Tennessee
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    Terry H Phillips
    #23 tazandjan, Jan 15, 2017
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  24. henryr

    henryr Two Time F1 World Champ
    Silver Subscribed

    Nov 10, 2003
    22,420
    Atlanta
    Full Name:
    Juan Sánchez Villa-L
    i'd put a call into sparco to see what they say. might be a seat or two in a warehouse.

    reminds me of when i called BBS USA about the 19" LMs. was told they didnt exist. got a call back a week later confirming and they had some spares in the warehouse......

    nice seats.. just questioned the "ferrari" premium.
     

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