Replacement seats for Berli

[gouldsborough7]

The seats that came with my Berli are somewhat basic, and not too comfortable on a longish run. I don't know what car they came from, but has the usual headrest and reclining/tilting mechanism. I have looked on various web-sites for replacements, but with only around 420mm width to play with, the choice becomes extreemely limited.

Has anyone got ideas on what to look for? Should the replacements be designed for a Mini, or MX5, MGF or what?
Cheers
Mike

[macdonald.dm]

Re: Replacement seats for Berli

Hi Mike.

Try a search on the Berli forum for 'seats' - this is an example: http://www.marlinownersclub.com/forum.php?read=6028&cat=1#n7842

Very, very few production car seats will fit. I actually have a pair of MG TF seats which will - just - squeeze into a wide-bodied NG TF I'm about to start rebuilding, but am pretty certain they are nowhere near Berli-slim.

I can double check the measurements for you - to fit into the NG the side bolsters need to be squeezed in slightly; I wonder if they'll squeeze in a lot more for the Berli?!

The only seats I understand will fit in directly are from the Bedford Rascal/ Suzuki somethingorother. This might not be as bad as it sounds - newer models seem to have quite nice looking seats.

You can certainly buy after-market seats which are designed for narrow-bodied kit-cars, but good ones tend to be pretty costly.

Or, you can 'build' your own...

[gouldsborough7]

Re: Replacement seats for Berli

Thanks Donnie
I followed up your ideas, but no joy. I am now a member of the Capuccino club for my sins, but despite this there were no obvious seats.

The seats I have in my Berli look fine, but the bolsters either side don't have enough padding to stop the seat chassis making itself known on even modest runs. Also the lumbar support could be better. The headrest arrangement is a bit naff, but looks OK from a distance.

I suspect I could get the seats re-upholstered by a specialist, but even if I could find one locally I expect the cost would be prohibitive. I'll add this to my 'nice to do' list of jobs. In the meantime, I am still working on the new burr walnut dashboard.
Cheers
Mike

[KitCarGirl]

Re: Replacement seats for Berli

I'm sure the Westfield seats fit don't they?

[h_m_cumming]

Re: Replacement seats for Berli

I've got Westfield seats in my Roadster

[KitCarGirl]

Re: Replacement seats for Berli

comfy?

[lizbillings]

Re: Replacement seats for Berli

Do Westfield seats fit in a Berli? I need some new seats for mine and so far we have drawn a blank on what fits especially as I need my seat well forward so I can reach the pedals.

[cabrioman]

Re: Replacement seats for Berli

Hi Mike

I got some Suzuki Cappucino seats for my Cabrio and they are a perfect fit with production car comfort. They have recline and forward tilt. I bought mine off ebay, if you can find some thay are worth considering, much more support in them than the richfield type seats.

There is a guy in London that does premade leather recover kits for them in different qualities and colours.

Have included a pic of what they look like in standard form. Mine were in very good condition, I think I paid about £120 for the pair.

[macdonald.dm]

Re: Replacement seats for Berli

Hi John. How wide are they - seat part and backrest? Thanks.

[cabrioman]

Re: Replacement seats for Berli

Hi Mike

A couple of pictures with the dimensions on, the second pic shows the handle for the tilt and recline. the forward tilt is fully forward ie enough to gain access into a plus two rear seat.

The nice thing about them is all the levers are inboard of the seat so the dimensions shown are the absolute max, nothing sticks out past the bolsters.

I know they will fit in a Berli for sure as this was how I came accross them, I saw a picture of a set fitted into a Berlinetta and emailed the guy to find out what they came out of. I don't have his contact details anymore but maybe Danny might know who it belonged to. If memory serves me right I think the car green.

Regards

John

[macdonald.dm]

Re: Replacement seats for Berli

Nice!

I can see a rush coming on for Cappuccino seats...

(PS For anyone searching for them on Ebay or similar, try every combination of 'Cappucino', 'Capuccino', 'Cappucino', 'Capp... you get the idea!)

[dogoncrazy]

Re: Replacement seats for Berli

The following are straight out of this months 'Classic and Sports car' who have done an article on Cappuccino's.
Cappuccino Sport -08452 990209; www. cappuccinosport.com
Suzuki Shop - www.suzuki-shop.co.uk
ASM Redditch 01527 67708
Nippon Auto Parts 01597 851149
Levoi's Suzuki 01206 862616

[lizbillings]

Re: Replacement seats for Berli

My Berli is narrower than that but is Cortina based. I need about 425. Is yours Sierra based with a narrow tunnel or like mine with a wide tunnel?

[CABRIOBOB]

Re: Replacement seats for Berli

Liz, try this site as they have seats at 410mm @ £82.00 each. there seems to be lot of old classic car parts on this site.

RatSport (www.RatSport.co.uk)
Unit 3
White Hart Road
Plumstead
London
SE18 1DH
United Kingdom


Phone: 020 88544777
Fax: 020 88542404
Email: [email protected]
WWW: http://www.ratsport.co.uk

[macdonald.dm]

Re: Replacement seats for Berli

Hi Liz.

It's quite possible that the Cappu seats can be made to fit as I think the side bolsters can be 'squashed' in slightly (20mm-ish either side) to fit in the tunnel - once in they should be ok! But, you'd also have to check that the back-rest bolsters don't foul the doors...