Mach 1 Seats (pics)

Question. On the Mach 1 seats what is there to prevent the seat from flying forward if you break hard? My car is at the upholstery shop but I have been doing all the grunt work(see the pics) and I am bringing them the seat frames tomorrow. On the Moss site I can see the handles connected to a nut that I believe unlock the seat and let someone or a dog get to the back seat in a GT but I can't see any locking mechanism and I am wondering if there is one. Also I have a Mach 2 seat from my donor car(the last picture) and it is such a better design as far as strength and the design of the seat back release and lock that I really want to use them but I won't.

If there's no latch,then your seat belt is the only thing that will hold it
in the upright position in the event of a crash.
My '60 Anglia has the same problem - except it's never had seat belts
installed.Ralph Nadar would have a heart attack if he ever saw it!

- Doug

On the bottom rear of the Mark I seats there should be a fancy wing nut. When it is in place, the backrests will not move. When removed, they are free to pivot forward. Technically is shouldn't matter in an accident since the seat belt is what will prevent you from moving, not the seat back. They do help however if a load in the rear compartment of a GT comes loose and hits the seat during braking. For this reason I keep the nuts installed on my GT but removed on the convertible.

[quote=angliagt]
If there's no latch,then your seat belt is the only thing that will hold it
in the upright position in the event of a crash.
My '60 Anglia has the same problem - except it's never had seat belts
installed.Ralph Nadar would have a heart attack if he ever saw it!

Actually R Nader would probably been delighted ,he seemed to love any chance to put himself in the spotlight

Correct me if I'm wrong but the Mark I cars never had shoulder harnesses, just a lap belt. If so, then there's nothing holding that seat back in place (except for that wing nut that Steve mentioned).

Unless one was restoring a Mark I to original status, one could take later seats, leave off the headrests to make them look like early seats and have the security of a locking mechanism.

I agree - but shouldn't that go to the Political Forum?

- Doug

I hope not. I don't venture in there so I'd hate to see this post disappear into that vortex.

I am not sure whether it is original, but I have a bracket welded onto the bottom frame (the bracket looks similar to the adjusting link on the alternator and is partly wrapped around the tube). There is a bolt that goes through the bracket and attaches to the nut on the opposing backrest piece (the nut there must have some purpose). The backrest can only be adjusted when the nut is loosened.

I guess the seats are called non-reclining.

Milan

Thanks for all the input. I haven't yet but I will be installing a 3-point seat belt. Now that I think about it I may install the Mark 2 seats with no head rest to maintain the original look as well as benefit from the superior design. OK I'm going to duck for cover now from all you old school original guys!

Mark 2 seats will fit fine, but I don't see how they're superior. I'd stick with the originals personally, because they are comfy and will retain the value of your car better.

My MK1 seats have a J hook that is fastened to that captive nut on the lower back support, it wraps around the lower aft crossbar. When installed, the seat can't pivot at all.