Formula Car Seat

[1 LOUFO]

Anyone have any suggested sources for obtaining a new fiberglass seat for a formul car----Lola 440, specifically? I have info on "bead seat", but would still like to source a fiberglass unit. Any help greatly appreciated. Larry Payton

[Murray]

Hi Larry;
Here is where you can get what you are looking for;
If you are looking for an original seat contact the below:
Tony Waterman at TW Mouldings. E-Mail <twmouldings@yahoo.com> Address
Units 5,6 and 7
Brook Farm,
Ellengton,
Huntingdon,
Cambridgeshire PE 18 OAE
United Kingdom

[Stu Pidd]

For safety's sake DO NOT use a F/Glass seat, ever, they are 50's technology. Use a bead seat for your safety.

[Peter Currie]

What's a bead seat please?

[ccambern]

A bead seat is made out of styrofoam beads. You mix them up with a resin/catalyst and pour them into a bag. The driver sits in the bag and the seat forms around him. When it is cool you take it out and cover it with tape or cloth. This produces a seat that is pliable and will give in a crash. It is also a massive pain in the ass!

I like 2 part polyester foam better. You just box in the cockpit with cardboard, set in a plastic bag, and pour the resin in the bag. As the resin kicks, it grows (a lot) and forms around the driver. This somtimes takes a few tries to get right, but it is a lot easier and cheaper than bead. You can get 2 part foam from most boat builders.

I am never able to get my seat right on the first try, so having a cheap way to make a new one is nice.

-Clark

[Larry]

The bead seat was also a requirement of the Pro 2000 series, as they found that it added an extra measure of safety. Your call--more safety for a couple extra bucks and what a few might consider a pain in the ass--or something less.

Larry Oliver
International Racing Products

[1 LOUFO]

Thanks for the responses re: seat for t-440. The fiberglass seat is for show, the bead seat for go!!! I appreciate all the input, especially regarding the safety aspects of both types of seating---at my age, safety is a primary concern, so will be doing bead seat for sure. Jeez, hope that stuff sets up in this 116 degree heat!!! See some of you folks at Fontana.

Larry