MTFCA Forum

Building a bench Speedster seat instead of a double bucket is more challenging than one would expect. The desired size and style, then getting a upholstery kit to fit. Making it safe. As a result of research I found this 2008 MTFCA thread http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/50 ... 1215830183, The yahoo forum appears to have disappeared. But this appears to still exist: http://www.horselesscarriagereplicas.com/fordn.html Are there any other sources for building a bench Speedster seat? -- IV

Here is another using masonite:
http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/11 ... 1281905214

I like the masonite idea but a problem is getting the curves and dimensions right of the pictured when you have nothing to start with is a problem.

ivaldes1 wrote: ↑

Thu May 06, 2021 12:41 am

Here is another using masonite:
http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/11 ... 1281905214

Ignacio, Have you looked at the speedster seats that Bill Bohlen from La Habra Ca sells on ebay ? He makes a steel back torpedo seat like you show. I have one and they are very nice. I checked on ebay and it shows a seat available now for under $400. Bill also sells bucket type speedster seats if you would be intrested. This could save you a lot of work making one.

I just sent a message through the ebay system since I know of no other way to contact Bill to see if he makes other styles. The Torpedo seat frame has a double hump and a crease in the back but I am wanting just a single hump, no crease and hopefully one that Classtique makes a kit for. Mike at classtique wants paper templates to make sure the fit is good. Mike says that aftermarket seats often are not the same dimension as originals.

kmatt2 wrote: ↑

Thu May 06, 2021 12:56 am

Ignacio, Have you looked at the speedster seats that Bill Bohlen from La Habra Ca sells on ebay ? He makes a steel back torpedo seat like you show. I have one and they are very nice. I checked on ebay and it shows a seat available now for under $400. Bill also sells bucket type speedster seats if you would be intrested. This could save you a lot of work making one.

On the other hand if I had paper templates I could probably fabricate it myself out of sheet steel. John Tannehill told me you can get metal conduit, cut a slice in it and weld it onto the top edge to round it off.

ivaldes1 wrote: ↑

Thu May 06, 2021 1:27 am

I just sent a message through the ebay system since I know of no other way to contact Bill to see if he makes other styles. The Torpedo seat frame has a double hump and a crease in the back but I am wanting just a single hump, no crease and hopefully one that Classtique makes a kit for. Mike at classtique wants paper templates to make sure the fit is good. Mike says that aftermarket seats often are not the same dimension as originals.

kmatt2 wrote: ↑

Thu May 06, 2021 12:56 am

Ignacio, Have you looked at the speedster seats that Bill Bohlen from La Habra Ca sells on ebay ? He makes a steel back torpedo seat like you show. I have one and they are very nice. I checked on ebay and it shows a seat available now for under $400. Bill also sells bucket type speedster seats if you would be intrested. This could save you a lot of work making one.

Ignacio, if it is a stock 1912 roadster seat you want to use. Contact Ray Wells at The Chraftsman, he makes new 1912 roadster bodies and maybe would make you just a seat, you could even get it upolistered in leather.

I sent an email I can help.
Tom Butterworth
772 475 9142

Hank can build you a nice one!

I think I could do this if I had a template but I do not have a seat that I can trace a profile of. The curves and dimensions I think would be really difficult to reproduce without a paper template. Here is my ask if anyone has one? The picture about shows the profile for 2 people I am looking for. I've sent off for Lee Thevenet's plans but they are CD's and books so I don't think it is a full-sized template.

So I am still researching for a solution. I may take a field trip to Howell Sheet Metal in Beaumont but I am continuing to educate myself. For what it is worth because they are not the same I measured my 1922 Touring front seat dimensions.

Backrest from the base of the seat to the top is 22 inches
Armrest to armrest width is 43.75 inches
Bottom under the cushion width is 21, base frame is 38 inches.
Armrest height is 11.

I realize this isn't comparable to what I want but it is a start.

For comparison, the Torpedo seat on Ebay metal frame is listed as 38" wide, 17" deep, and 18" high at the back rest so it is smaller than my touring seat but the cushions for the Torpedo are almost certainly much thinner.

Some construction ideas
https://www.hotrod.com/articles/making-a-bomber-seat/
https://www.hotrodders.com/threads/t-bu ... ld.198922/
Friend of mine purchase these from Speedway and then had them upholstered.