Miata Seats in 68 Roadster (Help)

[GoKart2013]

I had heard this but just wanted to confirm do the Mazda Miata Seats fit in a 68 Roadster?? If so do new holes need to be drilled or do they fit in the existing holes?? Please help. What year miata seats have the best fitment??

[Alvin]

http://www.311s.org/pmwiki-311/pmwiki.p ... MiataSeats" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[GoKart2013]

Thank you sir.. Like em will pick a set.

[Alvin]

if you are keeping/restoring the red interior try to find the red leather Miata seats:
http://www.superstreetonline.com/featur ... to_10.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[mraitch]

I think for the most part they are all the same as far as alignment is concerned.
They do NOT use existing holes insamuch as they use 1/2 inch bolts whereas the datsun uses 3/8.

You can POSSIBLY use the locating pin on the bottom of the seats to fit in an original hole, I did) though most people (i believe) cut them off.

One thing to make sure of is to align the track with the seats as far back as possible (especially if you have speakers installed in the lower cutout) since they are wider than the roadster ones and the seat release could otherwise impact the side of the car or speaker(if installed)

Suggestion - create a template for the seat locating holes using cardboard. Turn the seat over and place some cardboard over the bottom. Force the locating pin through the cardboard and using a screwdriver punch a hole though the template for each hole - locate on the floor of the car where you want the seats to 'sit' tape the template to the floor - remove seat and drill.
You can 'reverse' the template for the opposite side.

CAVEATS
The floor is convoluted so there is a metal strip welded in on top of it on both sides of the seat wells. Best to locate your holes on top of this strip.
Best to add something on the underside (large metal plate/washer) to strengthen the union and put rubber washers between plate and floor to avoid water penetration.
Cover all the soon to be open holes (from the outside) - see above

They are not stock, but personaly I love them - especially for the passenger - more lumbar support and if you want to hook them up - speakers in the headrest ,and they 'recline' much more than the roadster seats.

[MT68SRL311]

Thanks for the write up. It looks like the "lumpectomy" is not necessary.
Matt

[Bigtaku]

One of my Miata seats (Passenger) has a black painted bolt that is pressed permanently into the bottom part of the slide. It's hitting the bolt that attaches the rail slide to the seat bottom when I try to slide the seat rail, so I was thinking of cutting it off. I do not see this bolt on the miata part list but regardless it's on the handle lever side, lower, rear part of the passenger seat slide. Funny the driver seat does not have this bolt or does the other side of the passenger seat. The arrow leads to the problem bolt. What is this bolts purpose? Ask twice, cut once...

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[C.Costine]

I put a pair of Miata seats in my 67 after a lot of reworking the mounts with cutting wheel and MIG

[bobd]

I removed the metal strips on the floor, cleaned up the floor, and then welded in thicker strips before mounting the Miata seats ( it was a lot of work). The Miata seats are way more comfortable

[Mattk]

I’m doing them in a 70 and I like the template idea. Here’s some stuff I’ve found for the seats.
Covers
www.mrmikes.com/miata_to_triumph.htm
Speakers
www.3rdstrategy.com/catalog1.html

I plan on using both. I’ve seen Mikes Miata seat covers in a TR6 and they looked sharp.

Cheers
Matthew

[bobd]

I’m doing them in a 70 and I like the template idea. Here’s some stuff I’ve found for the seats.
Covers
www.mrmikes.com/miata_to_triumph.htm
Speakers
www.3rdstrategy.com/catalog1.html

I plan on using both. I’ve seen Mikes Miata seat covers in a TR6 and they looked sharp.

Cheers
Matthew

Thank you!

Those speaker kits are a solution I have been looking for.

[Bigtaku]

I used the less expensive Ebay covers. They were only $110 for the pair. Mr. Mikes are a better product for sure but these are in no way bad. One problem with these is the edge of the covers could use a stronger line to hold the hog rings. (there is no line actually, just a hem sowed in.) So when these ware out I will most likely go with Mikes. The speakers are great!

[todd lorber]

For those of you that have used Miata seats WITHOUT a roll bar, how have you dealt with the shoulder harness? Has anyone bolted a guide to the side of the seats so that the seat belt does not slide down the side? It looks like the shoulder harness portion of the seat belt on a Miata is mounted high on the B pillar so this is not an issue, but since it is low on the roadster it seems that this will be an problem.