[sensingsys]

Since I put new dampers on the rear of the GTV I have been able to go round corners quite a bit quicker. Trouble is, as many others have stated, is that you end up hanging on to the steering wheel in order to stay in the seat. I did web & forum searches for better seats, but it seems you then have to make custom sub-frames in order to fit them, and the expense.

I went round to a nearby car upholsterer to see if he could suggest a way to improve the lateral support by adding extra padding, but he said that this was not really possible, but by changing the central leather part of the seat to alcantara would make it grippier. He held a piece of alcantara on the seat back to show what he meant, and it certainly felt like an improvement. We talked for a while and because I was loath to have the seats dismantled and the attendant belt pre-tensioners bother, he reluctantly came up with the idea of just having the upper part of the seat back covered in alcantara pushed into place over the leather. He made a temporary cover from an off-cut for me to try, there is plenty of depth available to tuck it in so making a 'permanent' fixing at the top and sides (the alcantara is grippy), should the bottom prove to be a problem that could be 'glued' in place using Sellotape Outdoor Sticky Fixers which are only 0.75mm thick and could easily be removed without damaging the leather seat beneath.

I have tried this out round some fast corners and there is a vast improvement. Not a perfect solution, but with a little practice it is possible to substantially reduce the need to hang on to the steering wheel when cornering rapidly. Not perfect, but a lot better. The upholsterer says £20-30 for a more permanent job on the two seats, so I have arranged to have it done tomorrow.

However if the problem is not with your upper back sliding across the seat, then adding the alcantara will not help at all.


Just need to decide now whether to have black or red. Black I think.

 

[Ian M]

Black for sure.
I will do this as well if it works.
I also find myself wedging my legs against the sides to stay in the seat.

 

[CG Trading]

I'd love to know how some of you drive....!!!!

Clive

 

[alexGS]

Clever!
I think it's fine to make subtle mods to help the car suit you better. I like that brick-red, by the way...

I have a completely different problem - well, not much of a problem really - with the same seat, I find myself reclined a lot more than usual (driving my 156 today felt very upright!) so that I get a decent view through the windscreen (and hair not brushing the soft trim on the roof frame; previous owner was short so the trim looks untouched) and the pedals not too far away (short legs, long back...)

Anyway, the seat base seems a little short and low. I'm going to see if I can install some spacers to lift the front of the seat a tad (or, remove spacers from the rear if already fitted) which would make it perfect for me...

-Alex

 

[seadart]

I tend to go around roundabouts on two wheels and the lack of bolster support high up and around the shoulders sometimes has me hanging onto the steering wheel.. I've found that wearing a leather jacket keeps me stuck to the leather seat like velcro..

VELCRO! now thats an idea.. a velcro jacket

 

[msgtv]

I tend to go around roundabouts on two wheels and the lack of bolster support high up and around the shoulders sometimes has me hanging onto the steering wheel.. I've found that wearing a leather jacket keeps me stuck to the leather seat like velcro..

VELCRO! now thats an idea.. a velcro jacket

And velcro tyres/road, ultimate grip and no need for a hand brake.

OP was right tho, standard seats dont offer enough lateral support, i fitted a bucket seat and now i feel EPIC!

 

[Ian M]

I remember raising this question a while back, had some interesting solutions

http://www.alfaowner.com/Forum/alfa-gtv-and-916-spider/111944-leather-seats.html

 

[GTV 3.2 OWNER]

The seats in my GTV look great but are pretty woeful for going round corners.

The comfiest car seats I've ever sat in are the ones in my GT.

Is it possible to fit GT seats in a GTV?

 

[CG Trading]

Self support

..I tend to go around roundabouts on two wheels..

..with your hand on the roof...:lol:

It's not like a GTV pulls a lot of G when cornering, some of you must be throwing the car into a bend(s) rather than 'positioning' it correctly.

It's a good job you lot aren't motorcyclists..............you'd all fall off at the 1st bend.:cheese:

Clive

 

[msgtv]

..with your hand on the roof...:lol:

It's not like a GTV pulls a lot of G when cornering, some of you must be throwing the car into a bend(s) rather than 'positioning' it correctly.

It's a good job you lot aren't motorcyclists..............you'd all fall off at the 1st bend.:cheese:

Clive

I think it's generally accepted that GTV seats aren't supportive enough Clive,(there is no "wrap around" at shoulder level which doesn't help), i'm surprised that your not aware of this given how many GTV's you have dealt with, I guess the reason the cup was given frabric inserts was a nod towards this issue, I fitted a bucket seat and the difference is amazing.

 

[seadart]

..with your hand on the roof...:lol:

It's not like a GTV pulls a lot of G when cornering, some of you must be throwing the car into a bend(s) rather than 'positioning' it correctly.

It's a good job you lot aren't motorcyclists..............you'd all fall off at the 1st bend.:cheese:

Clive

Funny that.. my bikes always lean the other way.. sometimes on one wheel..

 

[seadart]

I think it's generally accepted that GTV seats aren't supportive enough Clive,(there is no "wrap around" at shoulder level which doesn't help), i'm surprised that your not aware of this given how many GTV's you have dealt with, I guess the reason the cup was given frabric inserts was a nod towards this issue, I fitted a bucket seat and the difference is amazing.

Bang on.. you cant beat a decent seat.. and a three point harness.. feels like youre wearing the car..

surely a decent upholsterer could rebuild the seat continuing the bolsters all the way up the back.. it looks like alfa have cut them away so that f*tsos can get in and out..

 

[Ian M]

..with your hand on the roof...:lol:

It's not like a GTV pulls a lot of G when cornering, some of you must be throwing the car into a bend(s) rather than 'positioning' it correctly.

It's a good job you lot aren't motorcyclists..............you'd all fall off at the 1st bend.:cheese:

Clive

You have obviously not tested the limits Clive.
These cars really do corner on rails and the seats (leather) are completely inadequate.

 

[Davemackenzie]

I agree about the seats too, I'm built like a ''Racing Snake'' so i'm 6'1 but with a very thin waist! I'm contemplating installing some red leather buckets next year as I feel limited around corners when i'm swaying about, passengers are fine because i'm slimmer than they are!!! I also had the idea about Alcantara as you can wedge it between the gaps, also was going to put a bit more Lumbar support in the seats as my back just doesn't feel correct against the seat

 

[CG Trading]

Relax more

You have obviously not tested the limits Clive.
These cars really do corner on rails and the seats (leather) are completely inadequate.

having raced both motorbikes & cars I think I probably have 'tested' the GTVs' limits but not beyond. Yes they handle quite well but let's not get carried away.

It would appear to me that some of you might be overdriving the car (or perhaps beyond the car's or driver's capability?). Try relaxing more behind the wheel & you might find that your shoulders remain 'in' the seat. Perhaps my motorbiking experience also sets my body up for the corners in a car as well? I really don't notice any difference between driving a P1, P2 or P3 regarding the seats, I've also got Cups & had/got the electric front seats in a couple of GTVs(these are best for getting the best driving position though).

Yes they aren't bucket type seats & don't have harness style belts but these aren't necessary for fast road driving (I rarely even wear a selt belt:tut. They're only really needed on a race track for the unexpected manoeuvres & accidents not to get round the track quickly, rallying is a little different due to the harsh nature of the course(s).

The only time I've found myself hanging onto a steering wheel was after polishing the leather seats in an old Rover 3500 Coupe Auto & throwing it into a right junction, I ended up 'driving' from the passenger seat!:lol:

Clive

 

[Turtle4288]

Recently I have noticed my passenger reaching for the arm rest and pushing their right foot into the carpet, but no complaints about the seats

 

[seadart]

I'm like dave..Built like a racing split pin.. slide around all over the place.. evo stick??

 

[CG Trading]

Not a lightweight problem

I'm like dave..Built like a racing split pin.. slide around all over the place.. evo stick??

I'm 5 ' 11" & only weigh 12 stone so of similar slight build but don't seem to have any problems.

Clive

 

[fantom alfa]

I've never found the GTV seats that much of a problem even on track, but I don't try to drive the GTV like a rally-car as I find the GTV V6 benefits from smooth corner-entry, balanced throttle then power out as the wheels straighten. So for once I agree with Clive.
Incidentally I used to be very fast on a motorbike, so Clive could be on to something with that theory too.

 

[msgtv]

having raced both motorbikes & cars I think I probably have 'tested' the GTVs' limits but not beyond. Yes they handle quite well but let's not get carried away.

It would appear to me that some of you might be overdriving the car (or perhaps beyond the car's or driver's capability?). Try relaxing more behind the wheel & you might find that your shoulders remain 'in' the seat. Perhaps my motorbiking experience also sets my body up for the corners in a car as well? I really don't notice any difference between driving a P1, P2 or P3 regarding the seats, I've also got Cups & had/got the electric front seats in a couple of GTVs(these are best for getting the best driving position though).

Yes they aren't bucket type seats & don't have harness style belts but these aren't necessary for fast road driving (I rarely even wear a selt belt:tut. They're only really needed on a race track for the unexpected manoeuvres & accidents not to get round the track quickly, rallying is a little different due to the harsh nature of the course(s).

The only time I've found myself hanging onto a steering wheel was after polishing the leather seats in an old Rover 3500 Coupe Auto & throwing it into a right junction, I ended up 'driving' from the passenger seat!:lol:

Clive

Sorry Clive, IMO on this one your just plain wrong