The Jalopy Journal

Enbloc · 08-02-2006, 08:10 AM

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.

**Big A** · 08-02-2006, 08:14 AM

Looking good. The handle is a nice touch.

MR. FORD · 08-02-2006, 08:15 AM

That seat looks killer! I want one!

**SUHRsc** · 08-02-2006, 08:17 AM

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

Thirdyfivepickup · 08-02-2006, 08:17 AM

thrifty and attractive!

the-rodster · 08-02-2006, 08:19 AM

Very, very, nice.

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

Rich

29 sedanman · 08-02-2006, 08:21 AM

Love it, Exellant job!!!

bigken · 08-02-2006, 08:26 AM

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

jsh97gt · 08-02-2006, 08:26 AM

very nice. looks great.

**wlspdshop** · 08-02-2006, 08:36 AM

That looks great. Nice work!!!

Enbloc · 08-02-2006, 08:39 AM

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.

bigjoe1015 · 08-02-2006, 08:56 AM

Very nice!!!

Bruce Lancaster · 08-02-2006, 09:00 AM

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.)

loogy · 08-02-2006, 09:06 AM

Very cool, I like it!

5window · 08-02-2006, 09:13 AM

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

**MJW** · 08-02-2006, 09:21 AM

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

Bluto · 08-02-2006, 09:23 AM

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

**HOTRODPRIMER** · 08-02-2006, 09:25 AM

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

**Django** · 08-02-2006, 09:28 AM

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

zman · 08-02-2006, 09:28 AM

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

08-02-2006, 08:10 AM	#1
Enbloc Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: London, UK Posts: 1,700	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. __________________ www.executionerscarclub.com www.flatheadmeltdown.com

08-02-2006, 08:14 AM	#2
Big A Alliance Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: Niagara Canada. The deep south of the far north Posts: 2,981	Re: My Interpretation Of a "Poor Man's" Bomber Seat.... Looking good. The handle is a nice touch. __________________ SFCC... we can do it ourselves. (Canadians use thicker socks)

08-02-2006, 08:15 AM	#3
MR. FORD Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 1,305	Re: My Interpretation Of a "Poor Man's" Bomber Seat.... That seat looks killer! I want one! __________________ "That's why they sent me, I am expert."

08-02-2006, 08:17 AM	#4
SUHRsc Alliance Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Harrisburg, PA Posts: 4,495	Re: My Interpretation Of a "Poor Man's" Bomber Seat.... 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 __________________ Suhr Speed & Custom Flyers Roadster Club

08-02-2006, 08:17 AM	#5
Thirdyfivepickup Old School HAMBer Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: DeMotte, In Posts: 5,747	Re: My Interpretation Of a "Poor Man's" Bomber Seat.... thrifty and attractive! __________________ NEED 2 GOOD USED 53-54 CHEVY FRONT SPRINGS ASAP!!! Looking for a nice 61 Cadillac 2 door.

08-02-2006, 08:19 AM	#6
the-rodster Old School HAMBer Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Glasgow, KY Posts: 3,453	Re: My Interpretation Of a "Poor Man's" Bomber Seat.... Very, very, nice. I like it when somebody proves that you CAN be cool, on a budget. Rich __________________ *A good friend will bail you out of jail. A true friend will be next to you saying, Damn that was fun*

08-02-2006, 08:21 AM	#7
29 sedanman Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Indy Posts: 2,302	Re: My Interpretation Of a "Poor Man's" Bomber Seat.... Love it, Exellant job!!!

08-02-2006, 08:26 AM	#8
bigken Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Dallas, Texas Posts: 2,447	Re: My Interpretation Of a "Poor Man's" Bomber Seat.... Fan-damn-tastic, my man. Looks great. __________________ BigKen Torques C.C.

08-02-2006, 08:26 AM	#9
jsh97gt FNG Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: cincy, oh Posts: 23	Re: My Interpretation Of a "Poor Man's" Bomber Seat.... very nice. looks great.

08-02-2006, 08:36 AM	#10
wlspdshop Alliance Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: North Dakota Posts: 1,304	Re: My Interpretation Of a "Poor Man's" Bomber Seat.... That looks great. Nice work!!!

08-02-2006, 08:39 AM	#11
Enbloc Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: London, UK Posts: 1,700	Re: My Interpretation Of a "Poor Man's" Bomber Seat.... 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. __________________ www.executionerscarclub.com www.flatheadmeltdown.com

08-02-2006, 08:56 AM	#12
bigjoe1015 Grenade Inspector Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Des Moines, Iowa Posts: 106	Re: My Interpretation Of a "Poor Man's" Bomber Seat.... Very nice!!!

08-02-2006, 09:00 AM	#13
Bruce Lancaster Old School HAMBer Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Madison NJ USA Posts: 15,137	Re: My Interpretation Of a "Poor Man's" Bomber Seat.... 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.) __________________ Bruce

08-02-2006, 09:06 AM	#14
loogy Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Slug Trail, WA Posts: 1,220	Re: My Interpretation Of a "Poor Man's" Bomber Seat.... Very cool, I like it! __________________ Chris ______________________________________________ WANTED: 1953 CHEVY CLUB COUPE REAR WINDOW STAINLESS

08-02-2006, 09:13 AM	#15
5window Old School HAMBer Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Lewisburg,PA Posts: 3,154	Re: My Interpretation Of a "Poor Man's" Bomber Seat.... Very nice work. Thank you for sharing. I really appreciate the innovation. __________________ I want them to say,as they file out the gate:Well, old Barney—he was goin’ some! BarneyOldfield

08-02-2006, 09:21 AM	#16
MJW Alliance Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: NJ Posts: 35	Re: My Interpretation Of a "Poor Man's" Bomber Seat.... Man those are awesome!! Thats exactly what I want for the seats in my rod. When I get a body someday..... Thanks for sharing. __________________ The secret RPU Banger project is underway

08-02-2006, 09:23 AM	#17
Bluto Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Eastern Front Posts: 2,220	Re: My Interpretation Of a "Poor Man's" Bomber Seat.... There GOES the price of tent's!!!!!!!!!$$$$$

08-02-2006, 09:25 AM	#18
HOTRODPRIMER Alliance Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Anderson,South Carolina Posts: 7,319	Re: My Interpretation Of a "Poor Man's" Bomber Seat.... 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 __________________ Tradition without intelligence is not worth having. T.S. Eliot Wagon build photos

08-02-2006, 09:28 AM	#19
Django Alliance Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Forest Park IL Posts: 9,005	Re: My Interpretation Of a "Poor Man's" Bomber Seat.... Damn fine work. I think you just started a new trend. __________________ Hot Rod Hucksters . Chrome Czars Motor Club . Hot Rod Chassis & Cycle and Victory Speed Equipment . Django Studios

08-02-2006, 09:28 AM	#20
zman Alliance Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 13,693	Re: My Interpretation Of a "Poor Man's" Bomber Seat.... Nice work, great idea, and just in time for Tech Week... __________________ I have gotten grief for pointing out that the white, speckled stuff on chicken shit is still chicken shit. I will continue to do so... Chili Phil

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