MTFCA Forum

I just bought a whole new set of seat springs for my 24 Touring (it came with none at all) and I'm looking for photos on how and at what height, the seat back springs should be mounted.

I'm assuming that the rear tub back rest spring will mount to the vertical wood slats. But on a 24 Touring, the front tub has no vertical wood slats. Does the seat back spring hang from the wood tack rail in the front tub?

I'm also wanting to get the height correct on both front and rear so the car has good proportions after the springs are installed. Too high or too low and I think it'll make the car look weird.

You're right; it will. Just ask my poor '23 roadster. I had only enthusiasm when I restored it 34 years ago; zero knowledge. It has been a very reliable runner but a couple finish-type things still make me wince when I look at it.

Anyway, FWIW, here is a photo of the untouched rear tub of a 1920 touring. Your '24 may be different.

Both the front and back seat springs hang from fabric straps nailed into the tack rail. I do not have any dimensions, but I know you need to have it just high enough for the seat cushion to seat in properly.

-Joshua

FYI: Do not use fabric to hang the springs if you are going to kept car any amount of time. Fabric can and will break letting the spring fall. Use something like metal pipe hanging tape. Dan

So the seat springs should be about two inches below the top of the tack rail? Frank

You'll only want to hang that backrest spring when you have your upholstery for it. Plus you should already have fitted the seat bottom upholstery over its spring. That way you have the seat to be sure your backrest upholstery is properly positioned so the seat tucks in nice and firm, and not loose.

The upholstery kit will have stuffing to use to make a nice level between the spring top and the top of the body. And, yes, for the front seat the straps for hanging the front backrest spring hang from the tack rail.

As Dan mentioned, use a nice tough material for hanging the backrest spring, vinyl works, as you will likely tack and re-tack it to position correctly.

This is a '27 touring, but the install methods are similar.

I'm re-doing my upholstery right now. I have a 1917 so I probably won't be of much help. My rear seat has three metal strips with little bent clips (yellow arrows) that the springs drop into. I've added a photo showing the arrangement. The bottom of the springs sits above the area taken up by the bottom cushion.

My front seat is just bare sheetmetal. I assume it originally had springs but there are none now nor is there any evidence of a supporting structure. I have no plans to install springs (maybe a little foam) as their absence gives me a little more room behind the steering wheel.

Thanks for all the info. I appreciate it.