Hi

Would anybody have any info on this subject.
Could you purchase a classic recliner seat in Australia in the 60's or 70's for a mini or Cooper S.
If so would that have UK Trim on the seat or Australian Trim?
If so would anybody have some photo's

Regards Pete.

Australian seats only folded forwards it was the UK Rover minis (my guess late 70's to mid 80's) that received factory seats that had a reclining feature.

_________________
Respect mine and I'll respect yours.

I was into the Mini scene back then and no, local cars never had the option.
All we got were fixed seats, but the cops had theirs modded slightly for more rear squab angle.
Recliners were no doubt available in UK, but I don't recall seeing any for sale here.
John Smidt was involved with Mini Kingdom back then, his memory may be better than mine.

_________________
DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

Yeah i`m pretty sure "Restall" (UK) did a recliner but i think the rear side pockets are a bit intrusive

_________________
No offence intended here but--> anyone writing a book about minis 30 years ago may not have experienced such worn or stuffed-with components as we are finding these days.

You should put your heart & soul into everything you do.

There was a reclining seat for the MIni in the UK as an optional extra. Here's a picture taken from the MK1-Forum on the same subject. I can post the page from the UK Mini parts catalogue showing an exploded view of the components if you are interested (it has a slightly different reclining handle to the one in the picture). I'm not aware there were any aftermarket ones in Australia.

_________________
ex-NSW Police 1970 MK II Cooper S
VMCI #43

... and the works rally Minis from the 1960's had a recliner on the passenger side so the driver could have a snooze on transports between special stages.

_________________
ex-NSW Police 1970 MK II Cooper S
VMCI #43

I have a pair . At present they are in the bowels of the shed. From memory, I believe they had a Mk 1 seat and vinyl pattern. Not sure if this was original covering. Last time I looked they were in excellent condition. If time permits and they are easily accessible,I'll see if I can take some pics.

This might help:

http://www.newtoncomm.co.uk/cars/classi ... ducts-206/

Seems to indicate that the poms got a recliner option on their new cars and that this replica is true to the original?

Matt

_________________
'68 Deluxe w/Metro engine

That's the same style as the one in the UK Mini parts catalogue - i.e. with the seat back becoming narrower towards the top. Also with the 'plastic' recliner handle that looks a bit like the plastic Mini door handle only larger. I'll scan the page and post it here later when I have time.

_________________
ex-NSW Police 1970 MK II Cooper S
VMCI #43

Here's the parts list pages:

_________________
ex-NSW Police 1970 MK II Cooper S
VMCI #43

Some photos of a recliner another member asked me to post. Will let him follow up if he so wishes.

_________________
ex-NSW Police 1970 MK II Cooper S
VMCI #43

You could have Your seats modified to become a recliner back in the Day
But they were Not fitted at the factory
I THINK Canopy Industries Did a conversion, BuT I am not sure
I have only seen about 8 conversions in over 40 Years
I should Have said Not fitted at The factory in Australia
As TK has Rightly said they were an option in The Uk

_________________
" A Hundred Years From Now It will not Matter what my Bank Acount Was,
The Sort Of House I Lived in, Or The Kind Of Car I drove ... But The World May Be A Better Place
Because I was Once Important In The Life Of A Child"

UK had factory recliner option in the 60's, we never did.

Arrrrrrgh....its on the tip of my tongue!

Ummmm....Lay-Back, LayBack or Lay Back is the company I was thinking of...they were huge!

_________________
"Show me the Mini!"

Hi

Thanks for all the feedback on the classic recliner seats. Some I had never seen and it's interesting to learn more of what was made in Australia for the mini
I guess if I recover the seat with UK Trim then it will be some what original.
I had thought of getting some Mk 2 Australian trim made to keep in matching with the rear seat.

Regards Peter