308 GT4 Seat Mounting Question

It's always bothered me that the driver's seat in my '75 GT4 was slightly askew, as in not pointed directly at the steering wheel. I decided to rebuild the tracks and seat webbing, which went very well. Both needed work. Reassembled, I reinstall the seat and it's still crooked. I know now that nothing was installed incorrectly (as far as I can tell). Is my seat bent? Or is there any way possible that the mounting holes in the floor could be off?

Related question: I noticed that the passenger seat sits on a substantial riser, but the driver's seat sits right on the floor (about 3-5 cm lower). Is this normal?

Thanks - Matt

 

both seats are supposed to be crooked

 

Seriously? From the factory?
Is the driver's seat supposed to sit lower than the passenger, like a driver and navigator?

Thanks so much,
Matt

 

Both my seats sit on risers.


Sent from my iPhone using FerrariChat

 

That's what I was afraid of. Maybe mine were lost when a really tall person drove the car.

 

Yep, from the factory. The seats are pointed inwards deliberately. They also both sit on risers and should be the same height (from the factory).

 

Thanks for the info Chris! I’ll repair accordingly. Think I’ll be able to find the risers or will I be fabricating them?
Any idea why they designed the seats to cheat inward?
- Matt

 

When I took my seats out to change the carpet, I did not see any separate stand offs or risers, (my '66 Alfa GTV does have). So are you saying the seats should be higher, seems perfect for me.
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

So my seats don’t have the wedge shape on the driver’s side. The seats are bolted directly to the floor. That photo is perfect for me. Thanks.

 

That's what they should look like, I can't think of a better word for the two metal things protruding from the floor other than "risers" (but they're not separate pieces).

Your car is missing those?? Oh my.

 

Are they welded to the floor? I’m missing one. Passenger side is intact. My seat sits super low on the driver’s side. Maybe the floor pan was replaced? I clearly need to dig deeper on this.

 

These seat mounts are welded to the floor. Thought you were saying additional stand offs were used. When I took the seats out all looked normal. If your missing a set of mounts they should be easy for a machine shop to replicate and weld in.

 

Thanks Pete! They look pretty simple. - Matt

 

Matt, you gonna stop by Sunday? I think about 8 Dinos will be there. Come with another car.

 

Trying to work that out now. It's not looking good for me as we have important soccer action on Sunday. But I'd love to make it, even without my Dino.
- Matt

 

Here are my seat mounts, I don't remember the details as this photo is 20+ years old. Probably a PO was very tall and had them removed to make the driving position more comfortable for them, maybe even to make room for a helmet if used as a track car. I have a close friend who is well over 6'-6" and he has had to modify the driver's seat mounts on just about every car he has owned. Surprisingly a few cars like his 1960's MGB worked for him without mods, he even test drove a Noble and was perfectly comfortable in it.


Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

Thanks for the photo. I’m not thrilled to have to make them, but it’s clear I need my seat risers back. I’m 5’6”.

 

Nothing that unusual if any of the PO s were tall .Check the peddle box too , that might have been modded .Sometimes steering wheel position as well .
The seat being the first port of call either lowering and / or pushed back .In this case simple lowering .

For more info on modding cars to “get into “see this …..

 

I totally get it Matt, your doing the right thing. We'll get to another time, I'm hoping this becomes a bi-annual thing, spring and fall.

 

I’m really hoping this isn’t a huge repair. I haven’t pulled the carpet away and really stared at it yet. Fingers crossed.

 

Feet need to clear inner wheel arches so seats angle inwards so you sit square on the seat.


Sent from my iPhone using FerrariChat

 

Yes you will.

Back in the late 1960's my tall friend had a Morris Minor convertible, he drove it top down and looking over the windshield. Another friend had a original Mini, after removing the driver's seat my tall friend could drive it while sitting in the back seat. When he came over to the house my Dad, who was 5'-5", would enlist him to trim the tops of the bushes around the house. The reverse was true when I went to his house, I could get down into low places that his family could never dream of getting into. We are still close friends to this day and we are into our 70's. He is pretty much the same size as Edd China of Wheeler Dealers.