THE KOMBI KONNECTION

Phat bus

I'm in search for ideas for replacing my original front seats in my 75 Bay kombi. I'd like to think there is a modern car seat which is easily available and converts professionaly into my kombi. I intend to cut out the metal cab dividers behind each front seat, just like the 79 micro bus. This way I hope to be able to slide the seat back further as I'm resonable tall and the original seats positions me too close to the steering wheel. I want to have seat sliders on both sides and the seat will need to have a thin base (150mm including siders) so that my head is not on the roof lining. So far the only rumor I've heard is that Honda Prelude seats can be installed. But I have no idea how straight forward this install is.
Any good ideas welcomed.

OberonViking · Posted: Thu Jun 26, 2008 7:22 am Post subject:

I know that this is tangential, but was the 79 microbus the only one without those seat backs?
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Robert and Emma (and 4 kids so far)
1979 Bay Window Microbus (Restoration for daily driver due Xmas 2008 - well, some time in '09
1976 DC (daily driver - when it is running...)

greedy53 · Posted: Thu Jun 26, 2008 5:56 pm Post subject: seats

well my vote goes to a set of caravel front seats these go straight in using the runners that r there
and with the arm rests say no more Shocked

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my memory is starting to fail anddddd what was i saying

Phat bus · Posted: Thu Jun 26, 2008 9:55 pm Post subject:

OberonViking, I'm not 100% sure if all 79 microbuses had the seat backs removed or if was just the microbus deluxe. I know the general Kombi van still had the seat backs. Also, I'm not sure if a 77 microbus deluxe had the seat backs removed. I've only the 79 deluxes with them removed from factory.

greedy53, I know about the caravel seats fitting. My original seat is fixed without sliders on the passengers side. Once again, late bay microbuses got sliders on the passengers side. So I'm going to have to mod something for this side anyway. Also, I thought the caravel seats looked a bit 'bench like" for a modern seat and maybe a bit uncomfortable. But I must admit I've never travelled far in one. Only a 10 min drive around the corner. I have mild back probs from sitting in an office chair every day so I must admit I'm a bit fussy. However, it's great to hear all your ideas. I may have to go for the caravel seats in the end.

greedy53 · Posted: Fri Jun 27, 2008 4:15 pm Post subject: seat

mate i done my back in 2 places so i can understand your worries the 71 bus fatso i used supra seats and were a breese to fit using there runners traveled many miles with no pain
the caravel seats i mean the caravel seats with the armrests were an absolute pleasure to sit in and 5 tears i can say i never suffered and pain
so good luck hope that helps
ps
the alfa's use a sass seat in all there cars find one of them with the seats in and there worth getting them recovered
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my memory is starting to fail anddddd what was i saying

Phat bus · Posted: Sat Jun 28, 2008 7:05 pm Post subject:

Thanks greedy53, I'll see if I can find another Caravel to go for a decent long drive in. I do like the look of these seats and would be great to stick with a VW seat. Otherwise I'll look into the Supa seats as it sounds like they will be a nice seat to use too. Comfortable seats with low seat base and runners seems to be the ticket in a kombi.

OberonViking · Posted: Mon Jun 30, 2008 5:59 pm Post subject:

I came across this photo on ebay. This is exactly something I am after. If anyone is going to ditch their front seats could you please PM me about buying the headrests from you. I will eventually want 6 of them. Any colour, any condition - I will have them reupholstered.

_________________
Robert and Emma (and 4 kids so far)
1979 Bay Window Microbus (Restoration for daily driver due Xmas 2008 - well, some time in '09
1976 DC (daily driver - when it is running...)