Help ID seat Microcell? and repair questions

[Johnny]

Hello,
I just picked this seat up the other week on ebay in the U.S. It was listed as an aftermarket seat, no manufactuer known. I was thinking it may be a Microcell, there is not much info out there about old seats. It was originally red, someone repainted it long ago. It was set up to bolt right into a Mini, even came with Mini seat mount brackets.
Are these seats hard to come by?
I was thinking about using it in my 65 S, the seat is a little rough around the edges but so is my car so I feel they may work well together.

Also, the rubber straps/bands that support the seat base and back are all broken, does anyone sell replacement parts or covers for these seats
I currently put some rubber straps under there, works for now.
Thanks,
John
I'll try to get some pics up.

[rolesyboy]

This needs Gareth's input. He is the seat Guru on this site. His user name is Contour 51
and he has encyclopedic knowledge of these kind of seats. Good luck

[mk1]

That is indeed a VERY NICE Microcell "Contour 6 seat.

They were fitted to some low production cars like Bond Equipe's & were also sold as an after market seat during the 1960's.

As has already been said Gareth is your man, he will undoubtedly be able to give you chapter & verse on it.



M

[Simon776]

Your current drivers seat in the Mini looks more interesting!

[contour51]

Hi John,
NICE!! That's a very rare pair of seats you have there.
As you correctly assumed ,it is indeed a 'Microcell' ,nestled in there with that desirable 'Restall' Type 5 driver seat.
The 'Microcell' is the 2nd genertaion 'Contour 6' ,having the correct framework for saloon cars and the added bonus of the lightweight competition subframe.Please see pic's (red seats)courtesy of 'Paul Curotto'.The other seat pic's are sports car set up (Bond Equipe etc).

If you would PM me regarding your "wants",I have webbing ,new base cushions and covers etc.
HTH
Gareth

[contour51]

That is indeed a VERY NICE Microcell "Contour 6 seat.

They were fitted to some low production cars like Bond Equipe's & were also sold as an after market seat during the 1960's.

As has already been said Gareth is your man, he will undoubtedly be able to give you chapter & verse on it.



M

Hi Mark,
Thanks for posting up the 'Ad'(I'am easily pleased ),as it's the 1st time I have seen this particular one.
As they say,"You learn something new every day". I have never seen that particular 'Recliner' described as a 'Traveller' before Up until now I have always known this design,with headrest sockets as such.(please see pic's)
Cheers for now.
Gareth

[Johnny]

Thank you for the replys.
I was planning to use the Restall, but now the Microcell seems more practical. It is a little hard to get in and out of the Restall. I will get in touch with Gareth for some more help.

The Restalls came from ebay too. The guy had four of these Type 5 seats, he did not know what they were. I got a pair in one auction. Here is a picture of the other one. I don't know if it was ever used. I need a new rubber base for it though. It does not have a Mini subframe either.



Another seat I picked up is this one. I Think it is a Corbeau? Probably not desirable but has a similar look. Always wondered what it was.



Thanks for your time,
John

[Pete]

By the way the 'S' looks mega original, real 'floor pan porn' ! Let's see some more pics !

[contour51]

Thank you for the replys.
I was planning to use the Restall, but now the Microcell seems more practical. It is a little hard to get in and out of the Restall. I will get in touch with Gareth for some more help.

The Restalls came from ebay too. The guy had four of these Type 5 seats, he did not know what they were. I got a pair in one auction. Here is a picture of the other one. I don't know if it was ever used. I need a new rubber base for it though. It does not have a Mini subframe either.



Another seat I picked up is this one. I Think it is a Corbeau? Probably not desirable but has a similar look. Always wondered what it was.



Thanks for your time,
John

You're welcome John.
Personally speaking ,I find your seats really interesting and to "happen upon" 4 Type 5's in one go,that's just incredible.
Regarding your 'Type 5' ,I believe the subframe is genuine 'Restall' item ,there should be 'RB' (Restall Bros) or just 'B' stamped on the side rail(zoom in on pic 1) .Because of the sheer height of it ,I would put my money on it being for the 'VW Beetle'.(see pic 2) Probably originally supplied through the 'EMPI'/Speedwell' connection ?
The correct 'Restall' 'Mini 'subframe circa 1965 on ,is .(see pic 3)
Q. Are the parallel marks on the front bolster, just an imprint where something has been resting on it or is it a stitched feature?
Q. Is the rubber diaphragm a 'Vitafoam' P116 ,with expansion springs to compensate for the extra width ?or perhaps you would be good enough to post a photo,for me. Thanks

Regarding the other seat,I think it's a real gem and it is definitely not 'Corbeau' . To be perfectly honest I can't ID myself ,yet!
It's a real teaser,with it's triangular fibreglass shell it looks late 60's Porsche 911 'Recaro',yet uncannily the trim bears all hallmarks of a 'Restall'
Not only is trimmed in the same format and uses the usual basket weave and plain vinyl fabrics ,but take for instance the "flap" centre panel construction .Particularly the edge detail and where the "shoulders" meet the sides.Then there is the base cushion,with the trademark "slashback " nosing and the top stitching detail across where the 2 fabrics meet,which I have never seen from any other manufacturer.
Therefore ,please would you also post or PM pic's of ;
1.The underside of the base cushion.
2.The underside of the shell
3.The back of the shell.
Cheers for now
Gareth

[Johnny]

Pete,

I had some pic's of this car up 2 years ago. I have not had a chance to work on it much. I did try some block sanding and buffing with 1500 and 2000 on the right side of the car. It came up really nice and shiney. I do not plan to repaint the car now, just spot some areas in. I like the patina.
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=1263

Gareth,

As for the 'Type 5'. You were right about the VW seat base. There is a K stamped on the side rail. I never noticed this. According to the ID Chart for seat bases on the MK1 performance conversions site Restall section, the K matches up to V.W. 1200 & 1300.

Q. Are the parallel marks on the front bolster, just an imprint where something has been resting on it or is it a stitched feature?
A. The parallel marks are from the seat base compressing itself. The diaphragm is missing so the base is sunken down not sitting properly. The marks would probably disappear if the seat base was fitted properly.

Q. Is the rubber diaphragm a 'Vitafoam' P161 ,with expansion springs to compensate for the extra width ?
A. The rubber diaphragms are missing from both seats. No springs, hooks, or any rubber.

As for the other seat, I will get some more pic's soon.

Thanks,
John

[Pete]

Pete,

I had some pic's of this car up 2 years ago. I have not had a chance to work on it much. I did try some block sanding and buffing with 1500 and 2000 on the right side of the car. It came up really nice and shiney. I do not plan to repaint the car now, just spot some areas in. I like the patina.
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=1263

Oops, forgot that, fabtastic car Johnny, great idea to keep the paint to.