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MG MGA - Seat Bottom Pan Dimensions

I'm looking for the dimensions of the metal pans in the seat bottoms. Mine were not much more than rust stains when I took them apart so I couldn't get anything from them. What I really need is the front and bottom depth of the pan from the top flange.
Thanks John Nelson
John Nelson

John,
The seat bottom frame is made from round tubing formed in the shape of the seat bottom with two channels welded to the front and rear portion of the base which holds the seat bottoms in place. The channels are bolted to the floorboards. The seat bottoms are made from wood. Are your seats different than this and if so you may have seats from another car. Hope this helps and have a good day!

John
John Progess

The part that I'm looking for the dimensions on is the expanded metal pan that is in the wooden part of the seat bottom. The dimensions that I don't have are the front and back depth of the pan from top of the wood to the bottom of the pan.
Thanks John Nelson
John Nelson

John,
Don't know if mine are original or not, and don't have them apart, so don't know how wide the flanges are. The top is 12" square, and the bottom is 9" square. The depth is about 1.5 inches, and the angled sides are about 2" long.
_ _
/________/


Jeff
Jeff Schultz

My attempt at drawing with characters didn't work, but mine is basically a pan with angled sides and flanges on the top. The top excluding the flanges is 12" square, and the bottom is 9" square, and the depth is about 1.5 inches. Mine is symetrical, so the front and back are the same depth.
Jeff Schultz

Hi John. Check your email. I sent you a dimensioned drawing. Glenn
Glenn

Thanks for the info, should be able to make them up fairly easily now. I'd thought they were different
depths from front to back. This set is going to be out of perforated stainless, they'll out last me and the rest of the car!
Thanks Again John Nelson
John Nelson

Hi John. Most welcome! Stainless is the way to go. cheers, Glenn
Glenn

Original seat screens are rectangular with straight up sides, like this: http://www.chicagolandmgclub.com/photos/a_seats/5788.jpg

SOme current replacement parts have tapered sides and are smaller at the nottom, like this:
http://www.chicagolandmgclub.com/photos/a_seats/5863.jpg
http://www.chicagolandmgclub.com/photos/a_seats/5864.jpg

The replacement type parts are cut in a diamond shape before forming, which makes the mounting edges much shorter, and the angle sides are more flexible. Original rectangular box style is a stiffer form, and the longer mounting edges do a better job of stiffening the edges of the plywood base.

I believe the current seat foams from Moss are molded to fit the current angled replacement screens, but will work as well inside the original rectangular screens. The seat foams I bought in 1997 have rectangular bottom extension matching the original screens (first picture above).
Barney Gaylord

John, Have you seen the new ones advertised on Ebay on the following:-

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/MGA-MG-A-56-62-seat-base-screens-baskets-alum-or-steel

They are in steel or aluminium and the starting price is very low with no reserve apparently.

I've just asked the postage to the UK. Mike
m.j. moore

Barney,

I believe that my seats were original and had (have) the "reproduction" style seat bottom you refer to. My seats were rebuilt by me and were complete down to the wrapped binding trim stapled to the leather on the bottom. there was no evidence of extra staple holes in the leather or the plywood indicating to me they were original. I have owned the car since the late 70's. I find it hard to believe that the seats would have been replaced and the replacements be in that poor a condition within 20 years.

I would be glad to send you photos of the seats before rebuild for your review and comment.

Chuck
Chuck Schaefer

Hi Barney. I also had the reproduction style metal bottoms you refer to, and I also believe them to be original pieces. They were extremely rusty, and looked to be of factory issue. The wooden seat bottoms were equally crusty, and I fabricated all new wood and metal parts to replace them. Cheers! Glenn
Glenn

Barney,

mine are certainly original and are like Chucks and Glenns

Siggi
Siggi

I have a 62 that was taken off the road in 70. the seats were original. they have what was referred to above as "reproduction style". I have a title dated to 1966. Other than the first 4 years I know who owned the car. I believe that these are original.
R J Brown

Well this is jolly good fun. Apparently both styles were original. Now for the concours buffs we might try to figure out the change date. My car with square bottom seat screens is August 1957 production date.

Chuck, Glenn, and Siggi. Do you know teh production dates of your cars? (I figure RJ's Mk-II is a gimme).
Barney Gaylord

Barney et al,
FYI, My "58" coupe shows a build date of 17-22 July 1957 (my birthday is 16 July). Seat pan screens match your "original" description.
Cheers,
GTF
G T Foster

Hi Barney. All I know is that mine is a 56. If this is any help, the metal plate on the heater shelf reads:
Car No HDR43/12175 and engine no is BP15GB2220.
If you can tell the production date from these numbers, I would appreciate knowing. Cheers, Glenn
Glenn

Barney,

production started on 11. of february 1959, which was my 20th birthday....

Siggi
Siggi

Barney, My build date is Aug '56 I think. i can't put my fingers on the Heritage certif right now.

Don't use this date as part of the analysis. My car is a Frankenstein. Made from the parts of many MGA's. Many gave their lives so that this one might live. Not sure where the seats came from. Although the main body tub and chassis have matching numbers.

Glenn, your car is probably Jan/Feb of '56. #11104 was the 1st car in '56 and #24514 was the 1st car off the line in '57. per Vitrikas's "MGA- A History & Restoration Guide". Get the Heritage certif to be sure.

Chuck
Chuck Schaefer

This thread was discussed between 16/04/2006 and 23/04/2006

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