Looking for the loan of an original Chummy seat

[Hugh Barnes]

The seats in my 1927 Chummy are clearly reproduction and are 'close but no cigar' as to sizing. I have sat in originals and know them to be comfortable but mine are not. What I am on the look out for is an original seat frame that I can share with someone who can modify my seats to get them to the correst size and shape. At the moment, mine would not permit a days driving.

To be clear, I dont need to cut yours about, just to show as a pattern when someone with some tin snips and oxy-acetylene can sort mine out. 

Similarly, if anyone has some orignals they might wish to sell (particularly if they still have ther sprung base) I would be interested...

thanks

Hugh

[Ruairidh Dunford]

Can you describe what is causing the discomfort, Hugh? Is it the back shape, the angle, or seat base? Can you post a photo of what you have just now?

[Hugh Barnes]

It is somewhat 'all of the above'! They 'pinch' in the hip area and I think I have already identified that the seat backs curve in too much. The seat back is tilted back too much and I find I have to sit forward of the back to be in a reasonable driving position, which means I have no back support. As a result, when I went out on New Year's Day, I came home after about a 70 mile round trip with a real strain in my hip flexers through sitting with no support. The seat base itself 'may' be ok though there is just a suggestion the base may be too narrow.

I'll post a photo tomorrow but, in the interim, I have already been offered the loan locally of a seat frame with no upholstery which wil provide me with exactly what I need. I now need to find a sympathetic 'someone' locally who can make my frames look like the pukka one I should borrow this week... My frames were made in the 80s I would imagine, when the car was restored but I think they need a certain amount of 'cut and shut' to get right....

[MartinH]

Hugh, I don't know how original mine are but they are comfortable. You're welcome to come round for a trial sitting and/or borrow one for comparison. You know where we are.

[Hugh Barnes]

Thanks Martin. I should be ok as I have been offered one or two examples in Cambridge which I will follow up. One of which, conveniently, is stripped of upholstery so I can have a good look at the construction...

[Hugh Barnes]

So, I have managed to borrow a pal's seat for comparison (and I will be making forther comparison with another seat later in the week which is devoid of upholstery)

First Picture shows side on view that confirms the angle of the back is about right - as is its height..

   

second picture, straight on starts to reveal the problems. My seat is 14" wide at the point where the back curves in at the base of the seat back, the other (original) is 15 1/2" That *would* make a difference. You can also see that the base frame is totally different with a much higher front giving better support under the thighs and knees.

   

The third picture shows the 2 seat bases. At first sight they are not too dissimilar, the frames opening fore and aft, side to side, is within 1/4" of each other. However, the main difference is the orginal seat base sits on top of the frame whereas mine sits inside it.  Measuring the actual seat base gives an additional width of an 1" (15" to 14") at the front - which would also give a litttle more support. The seat base itself is also shaped higher at the front compared with mine that is 'flat'

   

Finally, the original seat has an additional support rail to the rear, which appears original. Can someone confirm that please?

   

It is beginning to look less likely that mine can be simply improved and would require major rebuilding to overcome the problems....

[Ruairidh Dunford]

The frame you have borrowed is an earlier design, the rear base supportis original and specific to that type of seat.

Your seat frames are more like 1928/29, onwards, the base should be considerably more wedge shaped. The width can be manipulated but will require some brute force.

[Hugh Barnes]

My Chummy is 1927, so needs to have the seats modified to reflect the style of the seat I have borrowed. The seat squab can be amended I think to have the addition of a wedge shaped structure below the existing to bring it up to height. The width at the back, will need some brute force and ignorance (my specialist subject) to resolve that. Hopefully, all my brutal efforts at correction will be concealed under the upholstery...

thanks for the advice...

[Steve Jones]

Yes, your seat frame is in the style of the 1928/29 and onwards type as Ruairidh says. This is a bare frame of that type.

   

The seats in my former Trials Chummy, my former 1928 Chummy and my current SWB Saloon are all like this but the cushions are all much more wedge shaped and fit inside, not on top, of the frame. We've always found them very comfortable even on extended journeys.

Steve

[Hugh Barnes]

Thanks Steve, that is my next step, to get a wedge made to go beneath my current squab to get the front up to a decent height to add extra support...