My Interpretation Of a "Poor Man's" Bomber Seat....

I'm really happy with the way my seat came out in the roadster, so I thought I'd show the world!

I always loved the Army surplus look in regards to upholstery. Aluminium Bomber seats are the ultimate but only genuine WW2 ones would do and after seeing 3WLARRY's with the floatation cushions the rarity level just raised to non-existence. Also I liked the practicality of a bench.



I started looking at Army blankets but found that they were a heavy wool. Having a topless roadster in Rainy England the wool would have soaked the water up like a sponge and the prospect of sitting on the equivalent of a wet dog didn't appeal much!

So I needed something like a heavy canvas that was water proof and Army issue.

MMMM?

Back through the Army surplus stores and what do I come across.....



A 2-man bivi tent, genuine ex-British Military and the best bit a grand price of £10/$18!

The seat is a simple plywood back covered with a high density foam for the back and base. The foam has been shaped to stop it looking like a park bench. The covers were simply cut from the tent, glued and then pulled tight with Army bed folds in the corners.



The finished article, the base is mounted on the original 'A' seat base and the back is on the wooden slats again as stock 'A'.
Notice the stains on the left hand side? Markings from its previous life. I saw no need to try and remove them.

Because the body is a Deluxe it has a storage area under the bottom cushion that was originally used for storage of the side screens.
So I still have easy access to this compartment I have incorporated one of the original tent peg loops as a handle!



I needed a pair of belts and got back on the net, read Ebay, looking for a pair of lap belts that would go.
I watched in vein as bomber belts went for $400 plus.
After an obscure search I found a pair that had been poorly listed. $50 later they were mine!
They couldn't be more perfect being genuine Ex-USAF bomber, 3" wide, all army issue marked, complete and in full working condition.



Perfect!



There you have it, a "Poor Man's" bomber seat. It came out far better than I ever expected.

 

Looking good. The handle is a nice touch.

 

That seat looks killer! I want one!

 

awsome!!!
i really like that alot
the actual real stainless or aluminum seats represent post WWII to me...but yours looks as though it could have been earlier..just like the rest of your car

is the car on the road?
nice job
zach

 

thrifty and attractive!

 

Very, very, nice.

I like it when somebody proves that you CAN be cool, on a budget.

Rich

 

Love it, Exellant job!!!

 

Fan-damn-tastic, my man. Looks great.

 

very nice. looks great.

 

That looks great. Nice work!!!

 

Wow, didn't know it would go down so well! Thanks.

A couple more detail shots.

The Army bed folds used.



The back of the cushion. It still needs a cover of some sort on the back to finish it, but you can see the construction. Notice that it is tacked not stabled, now that's period!



Finally the seat back that know one will ever see.

 

Very nice!!!

 

Cool--I love elderly British Military stuff, with that canvas that's about as stout as plywood...
Put a couple of P37 WWII packs, either the small or large, on the backside of the seat back as glove compartments...an Officer's valise or a pair of basic pouches on the passenger kick panel...canteen as radiator overflow. (USA WWII canteens, mounted upside down, were virtually standard as water catch tanks on 1950's rods here.)

 

Very cool, I like it!

 

Very nice work. Thank you for sharing. I really appreciate the innovation.

 

Man those are awesome!! Thats exactly what I want for the seats in my rod. When I get a body someday..... Thanks for sharing.

 

There GOES the price of tent's!!!!!!!!!$$$$$

 

I'm not knockin' the bomber seats but I like your bench seat better,,,,,I think it would fit my big ol' wide body with a little more comfort!

It also proves there is more than one way to build a early style interior using surplus odds and ends,,, HRP

 

Damn fine work. I think you just started a new trend.

 

Nice work, great idea, and just in time for Tech Week...

 

looks great! and comfortable too

 

Great idea, and functional too !

 

...that is cool lookin'...I'll bet it's alot more comfortable than my seats.

Just to give you an idea of how much $$$ you saved, (this ain't braggin')...

Seats: Real stainless steel WWII out of Navy aircraft... ebay...$1000 each(if you can find them)

Seats were rebuilt at American Airlines Overhaul Facility here in Tulsa by a friend...30 hours each seat (reinforced bottoms and added 300 stainless steel rivets to match seat)...at $25/hr = $1500

Polish seats inside and out...10 hours each seat at $45/hr = $900

WWII Floatation cushions (damn near impossible to find)...ebay: seat backs...$300 each. Seat bottoms (I've only been able to find one)...$150

Seat belts:...ebay...$100/per seat

...you do the math...you should be proud of the job you did.

 

lookin good.

 

Hey Clark, nice! I was thinking of something similar with my old tent ....


Do you still need to peg it down if it gets windy?

 

well played

 

Oh yes, just got it on the road last weekend.

No lights, no plates, no rear floor. Fantastic!

Like the ideas, got to be carefull that it doesn't become a "Theme car".

Already ahead of you on the canteen. British Military of course.

Nothing can better the real deal, how ever uncomfortable they are!

 

A friend suggested I make covers for my aluminum seats out of duffle bags. I have my grandfather's Korean War bag. I'm gonna hit the local surplus for another. Great tech. I'm gonna steal acouple ideas to improve upon mine.

 

I'd never seen 3WLarry's seats before....yeah he really set the bar high with those..fantastic...

I love the tent bench seat! And water resistant, as well

 

Great idea! I have spoken to Larry about his seats and as much as I would love to duplicate his ideas, I have neither the money nor the patience. I do like the application of the military surplus idea. I think I will try to do a combo of the two (repro bomber seats with canvas duck seat cushions. I love this place and the creativity you find here.