Miata’s are HUGE! Pro Touring V8 Triumph Build - LS Powered Project GT6R - Ep31

Having finished off most of the work up front, today, let's push into the cabin and get some seats sorted!
Looking at our little GT6 these days, it can be all too easy to forget that it was in pretty appalling condition when we bought it ... and certain items like the factory seats ... are ... STILL ... appalling. So for a fraction of what refurbishing them would cost, we're swapping to a set of leather Miata seats, and how hard can that be?
Like you, we can't wait to see this beast on the roads someday, so I hope you'll Subscribe and hit the notification bell so you won't miss that experience with us!
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#ProjectGT6 #GT6R #LSswapped #ProTouring #Restomod #FanatikBuilds #CorvetteParts #homebuilt #engineswap #hotrodding #lsx #lsswaptheworld #customchassis #fabrication #TigWelding #Welding #MIGwelding #holley
We’re just a couple of guys (not trained mechanics) who enjoy problem solving, creating new things, and showing you how we did it. We can’t promise that anything we do will work for your project, or that you, someone else, or your warranty will not be harmed or affected by doing it too. Please work responsibly and do not mess around with machinery that you are not comfortable with, even if we made it look easy!

[@FanatikBuilds]

Please have a moment of silence for the last bit of the original floor 🫡😬

[@David-de3ed]

Good bye English floor, hello Canadian seat supporter🙃

[@craighearn747]

Remove a floor. Add a floor. Repeat… Ps I like “the cup of tee” your projected drawing indicates. Thinking out of the box seems to be the only thing you do. And do well.

[@andylewis7360]

Aww! Come on! The body isn’t the only part of a GT6 that deserves to be saved. The engine may be gutless but it sounds great! 😅

[@1htalp9]

Thank you for satisfying my fix! I am always (impatiently) waiting for the next episode because I love this series and this build. Like any good drug, there will never be enough soon enough. Maybe I need rehab...🙄

[@FanatikBuilds]

Haha, luckily there's plenty more to be done on the project! 😉 Cheers man, thanks for the encouragement!

[@judewilliams3599]

Your video editing keeps getting better by each video. And I love your effort to do your best with what you have.

[@FanatikBuilds]

Thanks Jude - always trying to improve myself! Not always successful, but the effort's there 😂

[@tylerbarrett6652]

Excellent progress.... very happy to see another upload on this project with the same attention to detail you have employed from day 1. I absolutely LOVE this project and I'll be hanging on the edge of my seat as you continue to churn out these episodes.

[@FanatikBuilds]

Really appreciate it Tyler - thanks very much! 😊 Hope you're keeping well!

[@drivewayshop]

Looking good! You're also getting good at 'getting the funk out while you make brackets' 😁

[@FanatikBuilds]

Cheers man 😄 Life's better with a good bracket montage!

[@smartin2174]

😂 Let me think, where have I seen this before, a Japanese seat sneaked into a BL car by cutting off a lovely new floor... I am really curious how this will all go, keep it up!👍

[@FanatikBuilds]

😬 if it ain’t broke!… thanks man! Will give it our best! 🥳🤞

[@HomeBuiltByJeff]

So many people love asking 'why is this build taking so long', and 'simple' jobs like fitting a couple of seats shows how much extra work a quality custom build takes. Coming together nicely.

[@FanatikBuilds]

Haha, you speak from experience buddy!! Great stuff going on with the Alfa, I'm very excited to see how much will be done on it this year! All the best to you and the Mrs 👊✌️

[@johnnierohnson3889]

Your cleverness speaks to my soul.. I know we could be the best craftsman the world has ever seen..

[@FanatikBuilds]

Thanks Johnnie - means a lot ✌️

[@FanatikBuilds]

JDM goodness at last! Yes, a racing seat, roll cage and 5-point harness would be good, but this is supposed to be a road car don't forget! Special thanks to our Patreons and donators for their support! www.patreon.com/FanatikBuilds

[@1htalp9]

That seat back adjuster looks perilously close to the door & sill bulkhead. I am wondering what room you'll have after the Dynamat, carpet and door cards are installed.

[@Paul_VanGo]

Roll cage... 😂 Where? On the outside?

[@bscoffeeandwelding7236]

Lovin' it, had the same kinda thing putting Recaro's in my Starlet, ended up side to siding them with the back adjusters in the middle over the tunnel.

[@vwaudiwelder]

@@Paul_VanGo ROCK CRAWLER EXOSKELETON.

[@TheDocgt40]

At what point were you tempted to just restore the Triumph seats?

[@paulmcgroggan7749]

It's the 1000s of little things that make this build special

[@FanatikBuilds]

It's the 1000's of little things that edge me closer and closer to insanity!! 😉 Cheers Paul

[@martinm4961]

Your dad instantly puts his elbow on the door window frame! There's a man that knows how to measure up a seating position!! 😅

[@FanatikBuilds]

It's a very natural action in such a small car! 😄 Got some ideas to hopefully make it comfortable when the windows are up though, we'll see! 🤞

[@timries4916]

The GT6 is a fantastic choice for an upgrade. Back in the late 70’s early 80’s I had a TR4 and a friend from work had a GT6 with a 327 in it. I am envious and will be looking forward to seeing it finished.

[@FanatikBuilds]

That's awesome! Our 5.3 LS works out to ~323ci ... so very similar to what your friend had displacement-wise! Cheers Tim, hope you'll enjoy what's to come 👍

[@andrewtreloar7389]

Another Spielberg-esque production with practical solutions to problems of a biblical nature. Well done guys, great progress and I was thoroughly entertained!

[@FanatikBuilds]

That means a lot, thanks Andrew, glad you are enjoying our antics! 😊👍

[@bradleybateman]

The original seats you have are actually pretty rare I think. I've only seen a couple of spitfire/gt6 with them. I have a 71 Spit and my seats were in a similar state. I had a local shop recover/pad in vinyl for about $300CAD I think? That would have been around 2004 maybe. Essentially what I'm saying is don't throw out those seats. Most have the adjustable headrests, and I almost guarantee someone could be looking for a pair of the non adjustable ones.

[@FanatikBuilds]

Oh they're definitely not getting thrown out... we'll find a new owner eventually 👍 ... if we could have repaired them (ourselves even) for $600 total, I'd have been all over that. Wasn't an option sadly!

[@Chumley360]

👏👏👏👏👏👏 Great work as always. That old B&D Workmate just didn't know what it was in for.

[@FanatikBuilds]

Oh it had no idea!! 😂 Thanks man, appreciate it!

[@alastairwatson3201]

It’s good to see the occasional bit of the old car sneak its way back in, even if it is just a pair of seat rails. Amazing fab work!

[@FanatikBuilds]

All about keeping things original around here! 😉😂 Cheers Alastair!

[@tatdexter2334]

I was most of the way through the vid when I realized I have the same B&D adjustable work table. I obviosly don't use mine nearly enough. I've spent many hours keeping my Triumphs running (incl. GT6+) but nothing like what you've done. Truly wonderful work you're getting accomplished!

[@FanatikBuilds]

Haha, it's seen some action! Believe it's about the same age as myself ... an invaluable tool through this project, but I do wish it was a big taller as my back pays the price! Thanks very much, glad you're enjoying our antics 😊

[@seandonaldson5084]

It’s called a Foamectomy. Very common mod to Miata drivers seat so you can fit a taller person or a helmet.

[@FanatikBuilds]

VERY common - and sometimes done extremely poorly (like this!) ... we're going to fix it up and try to keep as much headroom as we can still 🤞 Cheers Sean!

[@peterbonnez]

I've done a foamectomy on my MX-5, it works. Highly recommended.

[@a7i20ci7y]

It's the bottom of the foam, hack or clean, your bottom shouldn't be able to tell the difference.

[@peterbonnez]

@@a7i20ci7y I used a serrated breadknife, worked fine.

[@brianhaw9398]

You and your dad do very nice work! In British Leyland's defense I'm sure they never expected the car to be around 60+ years after it was built. Many didn't last 10 years before rust took them away.🇨🇦👍

[@FanatikBuilds]

You're absolutely right Brian - I think any car that old is going to need some love! Cheers 👌👍🇨🇦

[@morris2755]

British Leyland did not care one way or the other. Their predecessors did but that's water under the bridge now. My dad had a nice blue triumph dolomite that had rust around the windscreen in year 1.5

[@MrDazvere]

Rarely have I seen such dedication, motivation and erm….improvisation to make a pair of 2000ish seats fit a 1960’s car! Words fail me. But hey…..if you can fit a v8 under a bonnet that was originally designed for a 1300cc four banger then anything is possible!

[@FanatikBuilds]

Blind stubbornness has it's merits eh! 😂

[@Rollin8.0]

BOM would be proud of those front seat brackets, well done.

[@FanatikBuilds]

Thanks man, that means a lot!

[@gunner1558]

Great solution to the seating problem. Your attention to detail and workmanship....and presentation are the best I have seen. Keep up the good work. The steering wheel in your hand reminded me.... make sure you use the uprated bushings in the steering column. They are not cheap compared to the stock ones...but are more substantial and last much longer and keep your wheel tight. I just did mine... and what a difference.

[@FanatikBuilds]

Thanks sir, it's nice to finally be able to sit in it again after all this time! Appreciate the tip, we've got a completely different setup in the works though which will be discussed in due course, fingers crossed it all works out how I am planning! 🤞 Take care, and all the best from Ontario!

[@HardRockCrusher]

I love your problem solving and re-engineering, coupled with your workmanship, skills, and attention to detail. Those Miata seats are nice, but known for weak bolsters on exterior sides. I think your seats show some of the leather cracking in those positions...waiting to see how you re-imagine that!

[@FanatikBuilds]

Thanks very much! Our driver seat has a couple areas where the topcoat has been worn, but there's no cracking of any kind. They're really in very nice shape, once we address the foams! The weak bolstering is true though... just keep in mind that in a car this small, the door and your passenger keep you from moving too much! 😉

[@johndavey72]

Your patience and determination is palpable . Even l would be pulling my hair out on this one ......if l had some 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 Terrific skills as always .

[@FanatikBuilds]

Lol thanks John, it can try my patience at times but getting frustrated really doesn't help ... so we soldier on! 😂 Cheers!

[@johndavey72]

@@FanatikBuilds l agree !

[@MikhailScottKy]

I finally realized why I like your channel so much. You do your episodes like Ronald Finger does his. The same great type of content is presented very similarily. You should take a minute and look at his Fiero rebuild series.

[@FanatikBuilds]

Ironically enough, Ronnie and I follow each other! Didn't know about him till just a few years ago, but it is funny how we both have similar styles... guess we're just both goofy dudes 😉😂 Cheers Michael

[@hansh8071]

All your redesigning and bracket making would get a big thumbs up from Bad Obsession Motorsports i believe, awesome!

[@FanatikBuilds]

Haha, that means a lot Hans, thank you 😊

[@SkylarkCamperAdventures]

Forget Saturday morning TV, sit back and enjoy Saturday morning KZbin with Fanatik Builds! 👍 Excellent episode, Love the no compromise attitude of the build.

[@FanatikBuilds]

Thanks my friend! Really means a lot 😊

[@ericdolan2130]

Once again, an Outstanding solution and execution. NIce job!

[@FanatikBuilds]

Really appreciate it Eric, thanks 🥳

[@lemmy9996]

Almost Binkyesque bracket fabrications skills there gents!! (8:00) 👍👍

[@FanatikBuilds]

Means a lot, thanks Lemmy 😊🙏

[@lemmy9996]

@Fanatik Builds The lads from Binky sent me here to start so its only appropriate to compare you to them. They could see a fellow master bracketmaker!!👍👍

[@aussiebloke609]

Nice bit of bracket there. This is fast becoming my main fix, as Binky's gone dark for too bloody long lately. 😛

[@FanatikBuilds]

Sounds like Nik's being ... well... Nik! 😂 Really missing the series too, they're so close, I just want to see it through! Glad our little project can help fill the void to a degree though, cheers buddy, enjoy the summer for me! 😊✌️🇨🇦

[@aussiebloke609]

@@FanatikBuilds LOL - I'm in the US these days. Had wind chill of about 40 below a little while back. Still, not so cold as living in the frozen wastes of Hoth...ahem...I mean, in Canada. 🇨🇦🤣 As for your "little project" (for a given value of "little", anyway) - I am really enjoying your methodology and how clearly you explain it all, along with that dose of humour to keep everything flowing and fun. Such an ambitious build...I would have thought it a bit _too_ ambitious at first, but you've really shown your ability to think around a problem in a logical manner. Now I'm really looking forward to finding out just how well the vehicle handles once it's basically finished...especially chassis flex. There's still plenty of interesting stuff to come. Cheers, mate! 👍🤓

[@Iowa599]

Sweet seat foam! Now you get to do what you want! On my XJ the seat foam was old, and kinda smooshed but not coming back. So I pulled the covers & cut new foam (from couch cushions). I also "reinforced" the bolsters by adding rolls of cloth on top of the foam, under the covers. (I also removed the OE sliders, dropping the seat ~4", then added 1" spacers to the front of the seats. They didn't move, but they were comfy!) Hack job from random junk, in less than a day (d&p, rear deleted), for almost no $$, that lasted 5 years before my jeap got T-boned. (2dr, 2wd xj w/4.0&ax15)

[@garyfrost238]

A problem is only a solution we haven’t found yet! Love the work.

[@FanatikBuilds]

Well said! Thanks Gary, appreciate it!

[@philtucker1224]

Crickey! those multi dimensional seat brackets would put Binky to shame! Nice work!👍👍

[@FanatikBuilds]

Don't know about that, but nice of you to say 😊🙏 Cheers man!

[@pablotharpalo5685]

I really love this build! I checked this morning to see if you'd uploaded and was sad there wasn't a new vid yet. You made my day when I got the notification that a new vid was available on this awesome build!

[@FanatikBuilds]

Glad to hear it Pablo, thanks for the kind words and encouragement! ✌️👊

[@jameslovering9158]

Nice attention on those brackets to install the runners. I can appreciate the time and effort having added seats to many cars its never easy.

[@FanatikBuilds]

Thanks James, it doesn't sound like a big job, but the time difference between getting it done, and getting it done right is immense! 😊 Cheers 👍

[@karlalton3170]

Since you started this project you have become Master of many skills , from picking up a welder for the fist time , to metal fabrication , and Car Geometry you doing a great job young man always a pleasure to watch your video's stay safe dude 😎😎🤘🤘🤘

[@FanatikBuilds]

Thanks Karl, always appreciate hearing from you! Hope all's well and do take care! 😊🙏✌️

[@richlawson8252]

Keep posting video ,can't wait to see it done. As a welder / fab guy myself it's nice to watch your build and I've always loved the GT6 .

[@bretta3]

I’m sure when this car is done it will be the baddest and best GT 6 ever built. But holy cow dude, it’s been nine years, it seems to me you don’t want to finish this project, you just want to keep it going forever. I know you want to keep your channel going, but you shouldn’t be afraid to finish this one and start another one if that’s what your motivation is.

[@cam3002]

Once again, Miata Is Always The Answer. In an effort for more head space whilst using stock Miata seats, a common seat modification is to remove seat foam from the seat pan area. Considering you already dissect the seat, you have already figured this out.

[@FanatikBuilds]

Miata is definitely, always the answer! Glad we finally have some pieces from one in our project, it would have been incomplete without them! Yep, very common, and often done to standards not much different from this. Going to have a go at putting things back together better than they came apart! 🤞

[@whilst01]

Nice build. ! You're throwing a lot of sparks near those rags!!!

[@herbiederby3394]

Those seat track put up a fight but outstanding work on them too and a victory to you as well.... 🙂👍🙏

[@FanatikBuilds]

Thanks buddy, good to hear from you! ✌️😊

[@johnbarker5009]

Cool project, just discovered it! I love those seat brackets. They look factory and are lighter then the usual solution, which would be chop off a piece of square tubing and weld it on. It works, but I still like your solution better.

[@FanatikBuilds]

Welcome John, glad you found our "little" project! 👋 Appreciate the kind words, my tendency can be to overbuild things, so I wanted to try a different approach this time! Glad it worked out 😊

[@SixPackDan]

If your having a problem seeing the lights use a prism from a Fulton visor.

[@FanatikBuilds]

Just a hole through the roof and a periscope! 😂 ... your idea is much more likely though 👌

[@jeffarchibald3837]

So much work just to mount seats. I have 1000 hours in my 1979 Merak restomod so I can relate. Great work.

[@FanatikBuilds]

It's the million little things that can take the longest sometimes! Thanks Jeff ✌️

[@jfs6545]

Dude... did you just get the funk out? I believe you did. Nice work.

[@FanatikBuilds]

👉👈 Maybe! 😊

[@MrFritzzz666]

I had a 1969 Triumph GT-6+ when I was stationed in Hawaii, in 1971. It is quite the eye catcher.😎😎😎 A 19 years old sailor in Hawaii, with no ship. Party. A couple times a week we’d drive up Farington Hwy, up north of Makaha, and pick a spot to park. I’d park it backwards and put the rear wheels elevated on a sand dune so the rear is elevated. Flip the seats forward and put sleeping bags to fill the gap. Open the back deck lid, climb-in and drink some good wine, enjoy some pakalolo, and watch the sunsets.

[@FanatikBuilds]

A tiny GT6 in Hawaii must have been amazing! 😊

[@MrFritzzz666]

@@FanatikBuilds It was, and the tourist girls changed out twice a week :) :)

[@denis9450]

Ah Brackets don't you just love them, cars coming along great have a great New Year from Liverpool England

[@FanatikBuilds]

Thanks Denis! A good bracket just makes the day better don't you think! 😉 All the best from Ontario, Canada! 🇨🇦

[@billmcgarry3300]

I have Miata seats in my 67 Sunbeam Tiger (the available width is wider and less challenging than your project :) Years ago I installed Fiero seats in my wife’s Triumph Spitfire, they were also a big improvement! Love your fabrication efforts!!

[@FanatikBuilds]

Nice! I quite like them, maybe not the most supportive seats ever ... but in such a tight car, it's not a big deal. As I'm sure you know, your door and passenger prevent you from moving! 😂 Cheers Bill, appreciate it ✌️

[@peterbonnez]

Quality work.

[@tomkitchen2764]

A very clever father and son team.

[@FanatikBuilds]

Thanks Tom, appreciate it 👍

[@Iowa599]

I agree with him, you only need to see stuff that's in front of you. On my car, I made the passenger side visor permanently down, because passengers would fold it up. Now they can't, but they didn't need to, anyway! Check out some lowrider dash prism things, that might help see traffic lights.

[@4speed3pedals]

Nice work!!!! I would have rebuillt and reupholstered the original seats. A tub large enough to hold a dismantled seat, a gallon of Rust 911 (which makes a total of 16 gallons by adding water) and then powder coat all the parts and reassemble. The original seats could be padded the way you need/want and covered with any color naugahyde. Sailrite has a lot of options for sewing as well. (I am not associated with them). Since the new seats do not have provisions for a shoulder harness, that is the route I would have taken. My dad used to be an upholsterer and then went to work for Fisher Body in 1935. Watching him lay a piece of material over a seat, chalk it where cutting was necessary, take it to the bench, cut, sew, ant then have a complete seat cover to install was amazing to watch. Tony Nancy made a business of upholstery doing many a magazine showcased car. Sewing is not just dresses and blouses or house related. I wish I would have paid more attention when he was alive and able. Youth is wasted on the young to paraphrase a saying.

[@FanatikBuilds]

Thanks Paul, reworking some metal is more up my alley than reupholstering the original seats! I'm happy for the higher headrest, and more modern styling ... so all's good in the end! 👍✌️

[@marvintpandroid2213]

Well, this has made my week.

[@FanatikBuilds]

Awesome, have a great weekend Marvin!

[@marvintpandroid2213]

@@FanatikBuilds You too !

[@2ToneWalt]

I saw the Patreon message and totally forgot to watch it, and you thought you were nearly finished. 🤣👍

[@FanatikBuilds]

Ha! I'm beginning to think the car is actively scheming against our efforts! 😂 Cheers Steve, hope all's well!

[@fredericrike5974]

Fanatik, on most content, your "inner Blackhust" glows pretty often, but not here. It BLAZED! Send Nik a thumbdrive- I'm sure he'd be well chuffed! The frame and like that- that was all mere welding and fitting- this, this was Bracketry! Awesome- and worthy of the car. ON a similar vein, have you seen the ArcDroid" yet? Go see some Grind Hard Plumbing Co on YT- Ethan is a spectacular self taught welder fitter- the ArcDroid took him three levels up in an afternoon. Dad is lookin' good! And back in the shop with you- double the awesome sauce! I can't wait to see how you resolve the drive shaft tunnel- for your next trick you get to try "rapidly shrinking brackets"! FR

[@FanatikBuilds]

Very kind of you Frederic! Means a lot 😊 I do occasionally catch some of Grind Hard's videos, and agree he does beautiful work! That ArcDroid looks awesome, and any CNC plasma table would be amazing someday, but we just don't have the space here sadly... one can dream though! Hope all's well with you these days ✌️🙏 Cheers!

[@fredericrike5974]

@@FanatikBuilds Go do Robert Dunn's "Under Dunn"- he just got one and has space problems too- he has an install that might just be what could help! The ArcDroid is an arm on a block- it will work nearly anywhere there is room for the arm to swing and then be put up on a high shelf- it's hat small- it wouldn't be for anything bigger than about 400mm x 400mm, but many brackets are really made of many pieces carefully stitched together. And FWIW, I want to see you dream bigger and bigger- the GT has stretched you out and taught you many things you didn't know going in- watching that continue is the making of this channel- that and the strange twin; I'm still not sure about him; is it al a make up job or is he really identical?FR

[@parrotraiser6541]

Coincidentally, Fitzee's Fabrication is also about mounting a seat in this week's video. (He had to make huge hacks in the chassis.) You have nearly as much engineering in those seat mountings as ther was in the original Triumph chassis.

[@FanatikBuilds]

Haha, thanks man, that means a lot 😄

[@johnsnider3400]

Ahhh, the Miata FOAMECTOMY. Gotta get those tall people to fit! Best to use an electric knife, but some don't. Great build, can't wait to see more progress!

[@FanatikBuilds]

My head fits without the foam removed (passenger seat) but I do think fixing what's here and doing a better job of it again (ourselves) is likely in order ... the extra height is definitely noticeable!! Cheers John 😊✌️

[@DawnUSNvet]

I really have enjoyed your creativity for the GT6 conversion - I look forward to seeing episode 32!

[@FanatikBuilds]

Work on Ep32 is in progress - thanks for the support!

[@Blueridgedog]

Good problem solving. Shorts and hosta in full leaf...This must have been peak summer.

[@FanatikBuilds]

I believe it was ~40c with the humidity at the time! 😂

[@majormojo]

The Miata driver seat “foamectomy” is a common mod for tall drivers. I’d make sure you fit properly in the car before repairing it, which would exacerbate the top of windscreen visibility issue. In fact, I’m a bit surprised you didn’t drop the floor pan a couple inches to give more headroom.

[@FanatikBuilds]

Can't drop the floor as there's a frame in the way (now)! The foam will likely still be modified over factory, but it's been done so poorly, that we've got to do something here!

[@-MacCat-]

Automotive designers/engineers rarely fail to surprise and often succeed in disappointing. Such as you discovered with this part of your project. But, that's why our hobby/obsession is so much fun! Fanatik Builds 1 (add one to the win tally) / Car manufacturers - globally ~0 Nice work guys 👍

[@FanatikBuilds]

Haha, it's my bad for just assuming! 😂 But thanks Mac, that means a lot! 🙏

[@l9jjp]

Another Fantastic episode your engineering skills are awesome. Total respect

[@FanatikBuilds]

Appreciate it Jay!

[@wilber3762]

I always look forward to the latest instalment and you never disappoint. Brilliant workarounds to every obstacle put in your way. Can’t wait for the next one 👍

[@FanatikBuilds]

Thanks Wilber, appreciate it ✌️

[@jasondunn8313]

I so admire your patience. As much as I’d love to take on a project build I think mine would run thin very quickly. Good to see the progress. Onward and upward 👍

[@FanatikBuilds]

When everything takes so long, patience just seems to be natural ... or maybe I'm numb to it after all this time!! 😂 Either way, thanks Jason!

[@brendonhearn8778]

What a fantastik way to start off my weekend. How to turn fitting seats into a great watch. Always fun, and inspiring to see your progress. Those bracket skills, do require an musical accompaniment, as they are certainly next level. Similar to, say "Funk", but not the same. Someone has probably done that ;). Well I'm off to change a brake master reservoir and fit new wipers, so the Volvo 244 passes re-registration, so I can take it off the road, to start the 1JZ swap. Cheers

[@FanatikBuilds]

Haha, I'll leave "getting the funk out" to the professionals! 😉 Thanks Brendon, it's appreciated! Best of luck with your project there, sounds great! ✌️

[@bradpage8967]

I was not a fan of the original seats in my GT6s, so I am glad that you made the upgrade to something that you are comfortable with! This car is so much fun to watch being transformed and see improvements made on the factory “not so good” engineering!

[@FanatikBuilds]

Yeah they're quite comfy, very pleased with the decision! Thanks Brad, glad you're enjoying it, and I appreciate the words of encouragement! 🥳✌️

[@suchoi61]

Thats the best car restomod on a thriumph gt6r 👍👌🤙

[@FanatikBuilds]

Thanks Daniel ✌️🙏

[@TheMrKuchenmann]

Someone did a "foamectomy" to your miata seat. Pretty common and a good idea if done well. It makes the seat a lot more supportive and lowers the seating position.

[@ekim000]

That's some BOM project Binky level of bracketeering there!

[@FanatikBuilds]

That means a lot, thanks man 😊

[@yishaibaruch2227]

Love the work and determination

[@FanatikBuilds]

Thanks Yishai ✌️ Means a lot!

[@jimmccorison]

Who would have thought that you'd be struggling with seat tracks way back when the shell was being flipped upside down for rust removal. You've certainly come a long way.

[@FanatikBuilds]

Haha, how incredibly naive we were!! 😂 Thanks Jim!

[@rossdean1997]

A suggestion for doing bends in small pieces of sheet is a Grizzle P/N H3244 tool. It is a set of press brake dies that fit into a bench vice. About $60 US. I have a set and they are very handy. Excellent work and good that your father is doing better.

[@FanatikBuilds]

Thanks for the tool suggestion, that would be very helpful! The Grizzly brand is ~$180 CAD on Amazon, but it looks like it's a common tool that goes by different names, so I found another listing for a more comparable price. Bookmarked! Cheers 👍

[@mitchmitchell515]

Lovely bit of fabrication on the seat brackets.

[@FanatikBuilds]

Thanks Mitch, appreciate it 🥳

[@monkeybarmonkeyman]

I'm going to bet some former Miata owner was a bit too large for their car so they did some hacking to make the car fit them? 🙂 If I were doing this work, I would have found this activity far less satisfying than about anything else you & your dad have done to this date. Congrats on taking care of it. Quality always 'job number 1'.

[@FanatikBuilds]

Yep! The "foamectomy" was/is a very common mod to Miata seats ... and this one was done extremely poorly! 😂 ... thanks! It's not as satisfying as getting the engine/trans sorted ... but it's still pretty fun to be able to sit in the car again. Haven't been able to since 2014! ✌️

[@geoffkeller5337]

Thank you for such a great build series.

[@FanatikBuilds]

You're most welcome Geoff, glad you're enjoying it and thanks for the feedback! 😊

[@dresdensvo]

Brew some tea , make brackets ..... I thought project Binky was finished .

[@FanatikBuilds]

They're still going! Nik's just being Nik apparently! 😉 Been way too long since their last release ... missing it quite a lot!

[@steveschriefer2733]

The stock Miata seat had what the community refers to as a foamectomy. By cutting the foam you gain over an inch of headroom. You'll want to keep that feature. Another option would be Lotus Elise seats as they are retrofitted in Miatas for an even lower seating position and are suprisingly comfortable for having almost no foam padding.

[@FanatikBuilds]

The extra headroom is definitely appreciated, but the execution of this particular foamectomy is too horrific to leave it as-is! We'll see what we can do and report back 😊👍

[@JohnSmith-qj4cf]

Yes this is the best project on utube

[@kimmyrask7368]

Ah yes!! A new video❤️❤️

[@mry82]

It may not be done, but between the care that goes into this and the "cool factor" it's near the top of my "if I could have it" cars. Guess my NC Miata will have to do for now... Cheers!

[@FanatikBuilds]

Means a lot man, cheers 😊✌️

[@johnb4871]

Kudos to your fabrication skills, especially using simple tools!

[@FanatikBuilds]

Thanks John!

[@manfredschmalbach9023]

Aaaaaaand .... hilariously, You will remember and know exactly, each time someone changes the passenger seat position, how extraordinarily tidy those seatunderbodies are, because DIY and bent over backwards on Your workmate-make-do and all that jazz. Sometimes I love to see how other people deal with _their_ "no one ever will ever see that part again, ever, but still, Ya know, for good measure ..."-kinda restomod build-OCD. It does get complicated that way in other people's workshops, too, now and then. That's actually a relief. Thanks for sharing 😅!!

[@FanatikBuilds]

Haha, I just couldn't have slept at night knowing I didn't give it my best shot! 😊 Cheers Manfred! 🙏

[@kma4444]

Nice job fitting those in there. The great thing about the stock seats is how low they allow you get in the car. Seat swaps tend to leave you higher in the car which is rough in such a small cockpit.

[@FanatikBuilds]

I'd say (with the foam removed) these don't put us much higher than the factory ones ... but either way, it's certainly a small car! 😊 Thanks Mallen

[@dukie1616]

I can see it, it’s going to be so nice, nay beautiful when complete. Great work👏

[@FanatikBuilds]

Thanks Dukie, I really hope so! 😊🙏

[@johnsherborne3245]

Thanks for putting the saga together. It’s inspiring me to try to squeeze a pair of Audi TT seats into my spitfire, which has the same floor pan. The Audi seats are nearly double the weight, and a few cm too wide, presumably designed for a wider Teutonic rear end, so I can see a fair bit of welding coming up. Removing and making safe the bags was a lot of fun, maybe a modest recompense for the impending fun.

[@FanatikBuilds]

Sounds like a fun project John, best of luck getting it done! I have yet to "make safe" the airbag from the steering column we got... will have to get around to that one of these days! ✌️

[@johnsherborne3245]

@@FanatikBuilds 12v across the terminals is enough, I was shocked at the deformation of the steel backing pad, glad I was 10m away. Bonus is the moulded cover was not damaged, as I cheated and removed it first.

[@BrianSmart1959]

Nuts. Sucks about the hacked up foam. I'm sure you'll come up with a good solution.

[@FanatikBuilds]

Going to give it our best shot Brian!

[@philtucker1224]

@@FanatikBuilds maybe the previous Miata driver wanted to sit lower….

[@m3mta3]

“BOM Lite” I love it 😂

[@keithk2926]

Beautiful build 👍,cheers from California

[@FanatikBuilds]

Thanks Keith, appreciate it! All the best from Ontario Canada 🇨🇦

[@ruaraidhmcdonald-walker9524]

Woop! Always the best notification!

[@FanatikBuilds]

Thanks man! Always great hearing from ya 😊🙏

[@gsmdo8836]

Another good episode 👍 Did the previous owner of the Miata seats butcher the driver’s seat base to give himself more headroom, do you think (being five foot seventeen, I can sympathise with the idea)? Is your Dad old enough to like the idea of beige upholstery? YOU shouldn’t be 😆 All car leather is apparently painted, not dyed (except for Rollers and Bentleys, I think), so changing colour might not be excessively pricey 🤔 Keep up the great work 😃👍

[@MrWaalkman]

"Is your Dad old enough to like the idea of beige upholstery? YOU shouldn’t be" Possibly an old soul? A misguided old soul...

[@FanatikBuilds]

Yep, it had the very common "foamectomy" ... but done extremely poorly! We're going to fix it up and hopefully keep as much headroom as we can 🤞 ... haha! I don't mind tan interiors, if they are two-tone with black ... but it's not necessarily where I want to see this car go. We'll see 😉

[@theoriginalwallace]

Oh, poop!!! Frames are looking lovely though, buddy!! Cheers. Leigh.

[@FanatikBuilds]

Haha, thanks Leigh! Glad we were able to get it all squeezed in there! 🥳 All the best to ya!

[@theoriginalwallace]

@@FanatikBuilds Hope all is well with you too, buddy!!

[@aaronring4704]

I find it hilarious that the original seat foam looks strikingly similar to my older kid's weed buds... lol!

[@Encom0]

I must admit to having a chuckle when I saw the MX-5 (Miata) seats having been down the Rabbit hole in fitting modern seats into Mk1 Triumph Vitesse. MGF seats work(ish). Then 'Foamectomy' commonly used to drop the driver height in MX-5's. But more power to you, you got them in there.

[@FanatikBuilds]

The Miata seats are small ... but the Triumph is smaller! 😂

[@stoneshrink]

As someone who's been there, done that, and is still doing that - something to consider is getting the original seats re-foamed to add bolsters and such rather then a whole new seat.

[@FanatikBuilds]

In this case, that was going to be WAY more expensive! Quite happy with how it turned out, and we only had to modify the rest of the car to make it work 😂

[@codypaniwozik6056]

as much as I hate MIG welding you are using it perfectly for this project.

[@FanatikBuilds]

Thanks Cody, it's fun to grab the TIG sometimes, but I'm not good enough or fast enough for it to be my default tool just yet! 😄✌️

[@GarageItYourself]

Another excellent episode 👌 Getting non-OEM seats to fit a classic is always gonna be a fun game of stealing millimetres. I've popped Skyline R33 GTS seats into my 1959 Beetle and they're a snug fit that also required the mount points and seat frames to pass engineering certification at a not very cheap additional cost. Really love how she's moving along and personally I like tan interiors. My E46 is tan and so will the Bug when done 😊

[@FanatikBuilds]

Thanks man! Sounds like a cool combo - and a comfy one at that! I'd love to do a Beetle someday as I've been fond of them since childhood 👍 The ironic thing about the tan interior though, is both of dad's other cars are tan over black! 😂 So it's really not an issue for us, but just not necessarily where we are headed for this car is all!

[@GarageItYourself]

@@FanatikBuilds I like the GT6 too but harder to find here in Oz. Always had a thing for Beetles and hoping to stick a Subaru motor in the back. I was won over by tan interiors after doing a full resto on a 1956 Beetle and with the light metallic blue steel dash it really worked well with the tan seats, oatmeal square weave carpet and ivory wool cloth headliner.

[@lesheath6216]

How hard can that be is a question you never ask🤣🤣🤣

[@chesspiece81]

When you get the seats recovered you should try a more dense and sculpted foam that can drop the seat surface a few inches and give them more bolstering.

[@FanatikBuilds]

Definitely couldn't hurt! ✌️ Not planning on fully recovering them though, more on that in due course!

[@mattpovah5952]

Great work as always! I usually run into these sorts of problems as well. I discovered the hard way after buying them that 1971 250 seats do not fit in a 1974 230. Good times. I have ordered a 10x20 minibarn and everything in the garage that is not project/automotive related is going in the new building. Then hopefully I can get back to my project. Great to see a new video!

[@FanatikBuilds]

Engineers like to keep us on our toes, don't they Matt! Haha, your new minibarn is about the same size as our garage - oh how I long for more space! 😂 Have fun with your project(s), and take care man! ✌️

[@pirateradio1926]

I love the work you guys do. Especially your artisanal attention to detail. It has given me excellent inspiration for how to manufacture improvements to my own project.

[@FanatikBuilds]

Means a lot! Thank you 🥳💪✌️