Lotus Elan and Lotus Elan Plus 2 Forums

Years ago I heard that some other make of car had reclining, adjustable seats with headrests, that FIT a Plus 2.
Was that only a rumour, or ... who knows of the year, make and model?
RSVP.

If you want something from the original period then the Contour Recliner is the only one I know of. They were fitted to the works Escorts / :Lotus Cortinas / Minis in the late '60s / early 70s, and look just right in the Plus 2 with a very similar seat pattern. They do come up on ebay from time to time, but can be pricey.

The photos shows my Plus 2 with one fitted in the passenger side, and the seat taken out of the car.

The later 'S' Plus 2 had recliners of course, and I guess that the federal cars had built in headrests?

If you don't mind modern, I believe that the Mazda MX5 / Mieta seats fit with a bit of fettling to the runners.

Mark

another thumbs up for Countours.

These are repro which I recently bought for my Mk1 Mini. I like them so much I am going to put a set in the +2 (good to know they fit, Mark). They are very comfortable

They look so 'right' period wise even the basket weave matches the original Lotus vinyl.

Jon

Do these seats allow entry to the back "seats" without the headrests fouling on the headlining ?

I think the contour seats are about ?850 which I think is quite good. Does anyone know how much it costs to retrim the original (early) seats?

I put Recaro seats in my Plus 2. I have the original seats but the head rest hits me right in the middle of the upper back and is very uncomfortable to drive. The Recaros fit nicely, just have to modify the securing method, which was easy to do.

I must say that the Recaros are MUCH more comfortable and fit my body nicely.

KevJ+2 wrote:I think the contour seats are about ?850 which I think is quite good. Does anyone know how much it costs to retrim the original (early) seats?

Based on an enquiry I made about an advert for S3/S4 covers, I believe the early +2 is the same or very similar.
- covers are ?300 & to rebuild the seats an extra ?150 +P&P of around ?20 (Devon)

I've only seen photos of the work & haven't decided how I'm going to proceed on this.

...should have said these repro Contours are not recliners, but how many times do you ever need to recline the seats in a Plus 2?

Not sure about tilting them with the headrests but again, how many times do you use the back seats in a Plus 2?

They are however available without the headrests or you can simply pop them out.

Jon

the chap who bought mine put in MX5 seats as I recall......

When I bought my plus 2 the car comes with a bucket seats and also with the original seats. Now I'm finishing the restoration and I don't know if I put the original seats or the bucket seats.

found the pic

Out of interest anyone found seats that fit and are a good colour match for Oatmeal interior?

There a lot of options for black seats, from modern vehicles and buying them new but I haven't spotted any which are a good colour match for the Oatmeal seats.

Early MX5 seats seem to be a popular retrofit for E-Type Jag owners as well so I assume the look 'period' enough!

Carl

Hi, does anyone have details of how to install the mx5 seats to a late plus2? I have the opportunity to purchase these as per photo for ?200 and was wondering how involved the modifications are?
Thanks in advance, Paul.

Miata MX5 seats look fine! So I bought a set.
Then I asked a local upholstery shop to create Lotus emblems and to stitch them onto the seats as a cover-up for whatever Mazda put on mine.
Now, who?s the willingness to describe the ?fettling? required? Please? I?m not good at reinventing the wheel...
Add a picture or two, and I?d be most grateful!!
ColonialRobert.