Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Classic Morgans (pre-CX) Seats for +8

During my spell of incapacitation this year when I could not drive we thought it a good idea to get SWMBO behind the wheel of the '98 +8.

It did not go well.

I had removed 3/4" from the wooden seat runners to accommodate my 6'-0" frame when I first bought the car.
We needed to install a cushion for my wife's 5'-2" frame in order to see over the dash.

With the seat as far forward as her 'ahem' chest would allow she could not reach the pedals to operate them effectively.
We gave up in fits of laughter when the car rolled forward in the drive and she could not stop it with the footbrake.

Now she has driven 4WD's, BMW 7 series, Volvos and Jags and has never had this problem.

Has anyone had a similar experience and come up with a solution?

I have looked at my son's Z4 seat and thought 'I wonder' but an electric seat in a trad would probably not look right.

Ray T
'98 +8
'05 Aero 8 S2

Easy option is a replacement wife.
Adjustable pedals would be tricky & expensive to fit, but you may be able to get some extensions fabricated - like blocks on your bike pedals. These would need to be bolted in place, so not a five minute job to fit, and the insurance company would need to be told.
What about big platform shoes??? - hardly safe though.
I don't think that lifting the seat will help, unless she drives in a very reclined position.
I don't think there's an easy solution to this.

I had investigated the possibility of racing adjusable pedal assembly but the adjustable element is the alignment of the pedals and 'bite' location.

The option of changing out the spouse will prove too expensive ;-)

6 inch high "dancer" shoes.... he he

My mate in N/umberland had no seat cushions in his you sat on the floor he went with me to Heart Of England and John W. gave me a load of sponge . One of my other mates removed his seats same colour and after doing him some good turns I asked any chance of the seats for the other lad ( not as chatty as me to ask ) I picked them up in the wifes car and one w/end at a BBQ we set off my mate in his seatless +8 . He was so bad at finding his way he needed a map and a guide to the end of his street . He was following me up the A1 and it was hot and sunny all of a sudden he shot past trying to stand up as he drove, a mile or so along he was in the hard shoulder fashers going . I pulled up whats up broken down , yes did you see that, what, that golf with the top down the bird was driving topless . I had missed it . Hence he stood up and stamped on the pedal so hard his hydralic lifters buggered up and needed a stop to sort themselves out . He had a grin on his face like a teenager who had seen his first pair . I never know how to put this but was I driving good by watching the cars and missing the girl , or was it bad driving .

Hello Ray,
I'm 6'2" and my wife is 5' and a quarter (never forget the quarter) and we both fit in my car, she drives it a lot. It's an '86 4/4. We test drove a 2005 4/4 recently and I was OK but the seat didn't go far enough forward for her - so - is there a difference in the cockpits or would different (earlier) seat runners sort your problem?
Regards
Simon

My daughter is 5ft 2in her boy friend is 6ft 7.5in 42in chest and a sports nut he finds it hard to get in the mog and his head is over the screen . My daughter said good he can never drive it when its mine . I asked are you bothered about people looking at you both , not at all dad its them who are stupid .Women can be cruel.

I'm 6'2" and my wife is 5' and a quarter (never forget the quarter) and we both fit in my car, she drives it a lot. It's an '86 4/4. We test drove a 2005 4/4 recently and I was OK but the seat didn't go far enough forward for her - so - is there a difference in the cockpits or would different (earlier) seat runners sort your problem?
Regards
Simon

The + 8 is a long door model, don't know if that makes a difference.

I had thought an electric adjustable seat would give me the fine control of height rake and length that seems to be required. I think the use of a cushion was a bit to crude.
Ray T

Shaun at Allon White would be a very good person to talk to - he seems to know all about this sort of problem and makes superb seats to fit.
Nigel

Thanks Nigel,
Good call, I called into AW this morning and although Shaun was not in today I have left my details. Hope to have a productive conversation on Monday.
I had a sit in the three wheeler when I there and found it a huge improvement on the prototype. It felt much more comfortable,I did not realise that the pedal assembly was adjustable (now there's a thought) I had written of the M3W as I thought I would not fit,oh dear.
I have to say I was very impressed with the set up especially the trimming workshop. I am now considering a full re-trim for the +8, we are not keen on the brown upholstery on a black car.
Oh, and I ordered a hood cover for the aero 8 when I was there.
Thanks again Nigel (I think)
Ray T