Getting the right vintage seats for your Datsun S30 can actually change how your car drives and looks! These cool Japanese sports cars look even better with seats that match their style - and give you some more comfort at the same time. Most of the S30 owners say that better seats make those long drives and fun canyon runs more enjoyable while still keeping that classic look you love.
As a starting point, you'll want to choose some seats that look interesting with your S30's design. The seats from Mazda Miatas generally work well, and they don't look out of place at all. You can also try some seats from the Toyota Supras or BMW E30s if you need different support or height options for yourself. People often get some great results by putting new upholstery that looks original onto the seat frames that feel better to sit in for long drives.
The thing is, getting the installation done right makes a very big difference. A well-installed seat naturally looks and feels much better than one that's just thrown in there.
Let's get started with some of the vintage seat options and swap ideas to give your S30 its own personality. You can always match the different styles to create something that feels just right for your own car.
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Vintage Seat Options and Swaps
You can go a few different ways with your Datsun Z seats - you can fix up what you already have, or you can put in some seats from another car.
People generally choose to swap because it saves them some time and money compared to restoring the originals. After 40+ years, those factory seats usually have some foam that's breaking down and some vinyl that's cracked or torn.
Are you thinking about doing a swap? You'll want to make sure that your new seats actually fit in your car. For example, Mazda Miata and Honda S2000 seats are some pretty popular options for your Z. They work well because they tend to come from smaller sports cars with similar-sized interiors.
BMW 325i seats from the late 80s can also look right at home in your S30 - they have a style that matches the era of your car quite well.
You'll see Datsun owners out there using Toyota Supra MK3 or Celica GT seats, too. They feel somewhat like your original seats, but they hold you better when you're taking those corners. Do you want something more modern? Corvette C5 seats look more modern, and they keep you comfortable on those longer trips.
The reality is pretty much any seat that you pick will need some modifications or custom brackets to fit right in your S30. You might need to change the seat rails or even modify the floor in some locations here and there. You may have heard of "cat hump bashing," which is when you change part of the transmission tunnel to make room for those wider seats. You'll probably need to do this if you go with the Pontiac Fiero or the RSX Type S seats.
Are you looking to save some money? Honda Prelude or Mitsubishi Eclipse seats can be some good budget-friendly options for you. You can normally find them at the junkyards without spending too much money and they give you some good support on the sides. When you're checking out possible seats, make sure that the adjustments work as they should. Working with those broken recliners or sliders later is no fun at all.
When you're dealing with the wiring, if you're looking at those seats with power adjustments or airbags, remember your S30 has a pretty basic electrical system that wasn't built with these features in mind. In that case, you can either figure out how to adapt the wiring yourself or just take it easy by going with some manual seats instead. Sometimes, the easier option is better when you're working with these vintage cars.
How to Ensure a Secure Fit?
After finding some vintage seats that you like for your Datsun S30, you'll want to make sure that they actually fit before buying them.
Start by measuring the seat dimensions and comparing them to your car's interior space. You might get caught up in the excitement of finding a good seat and then skip this part. Just keep in mind that vintage seats tend to be wider than they look in the photos.
Next you should check the rail spacing and mounting points - this part usually gives people the most trouble during the installation process. Car makers didn't follow just one standard mounting system back then. You might need to make your own custom bracket or change the one that you have so everything lines up correctly.
Don't stress if your new seats have wider rails than the original Datsun ones do. The good news is you can always widen the floor pan holes to make them fit better. Just take your time and try to stay away from removing too much material. The strength of your mounting points matters for keeping you safe while you're driving.
Think about adding some reinforcement when you swap the seats. Putting a piece of 3mm steel angle under the floor helps to spread the weight and makes the whole setup more secure - this extra step only takes a little bit of time, but it helps quite a bit. As a result, your seats will stay more stable and hold up much better over time.
Make sure that everything is lined up right before you finish the installation. Even slightly crooked seats often become annoying on your longer drives. They might also wear out unevenly or not protect you in an accident if they're not put in correctly.
Go with some quality hardware for the mounting. Try to use at least some Grade 8 bolts and lock nuts. Spending a few extra dollars on decent hardware can give you some security. Remember that these seats need to hold you securely when you take corners or if you ever get in an accident.
Once you've installed everything, you should grab each seat and give it a wiggle from different angles. Keep in mind that any movement means that something needs fixing. You'll want to go back and check your mounting points if that happens. At the end of the day, when mounted correctly, the seat should feel like it's actually built into the car.
Remember to test if all your seatbelts still work with the new seats. Vintage seats sometimes get in the way of the original belt path. In some cases, you might need to adjust your belts or look for aftermarket options that work better with your setup.
Seat Safety and Comfort
You want to balance safety and comfort when installing vintage seats. Those original S30 seats generally have a classic look to them. But they won't hold you in place when you take corners at higher speeds. Your back also needs some better support during the longer drives. After decades of use, most of the original seat cushions have worn down, which makes them less comfortable than they once were.
Aftermarket seats can often fix these problems for you. You'll find that businesses like Recaro, Bride, and Sparco make some seats with better side support to keep you steady during turns. They usually come with improved head support, too. That can help to protect your neck when you brake suddenly! Driving for hours can become more comfortable with the extra padding in modern seats compared to those old, worn cushions.
In reality, you need to mount these seats safely, just as much as you need reliable seats for your car. Look for strong brackets that'll actually stay sturdy during accidents. Keep in mind that people try to save some money by buying flimsy mounts - it'll put you in serious danger if something bad happens. Spend a bit extra on the quality hardware to keep your seats attached to the floor - your safety can depend on it.
The seat height normally matters quite a bit when you choose your new seats. Many aftermarket options sit lower than the factory seats in your S30 - this might give you that sporty feeling that you want. But you might have a hard time seeing over the dashboard in your car. Also, think about how you can get in and out of your car with the new setup. A seat that looks perfect could become very annoying if you have to squeeze past the steering wheel every time you enter.
People often forget to check for seat belt compatibility. Your new seats have to work well with the existing belts in your Datsun. Some seats route the belts differently and might not line up with your car's anchor points. You should test how the seatbelts fit before you finish the installation.
Try your seats in the correct position first before making any permanent changes to your car. Sit in the driver's seat and reach for all of the controls. Can you get to everything by yourself? Make sure that your legs don't hit the steering wheel when you turn it. At the end of the day, the right seats should feel like they belong in your car, not like you just forced them to fit. Why would you settle for seats that make your classic car feel awkward to drive?
Installation Mistakes to Think About
When you're swapping in some vintage seats for your Datsun S30, taking a few photos before you start can save you hours of head-scratching later. Most owners skip this part and end up feeling confused during the reassembly. Try snapping some pictures from multiple angles before removing anything at all. Your future self will thank you when it's time to put everything back together again.
Before you start, take some time to check to see if your seat rails need any changes. Vintage seats generally don't fit well without some necessary adjustments. You might get too excited and dive right in, just to find that nothing lines up halfway through the job - this usually leads to rushed work that might not hold up well as you drive around.
In reality, small parts like the spacers and bolts like to disappear during seat swaps. You set them down for just a minute, and they seem to vanish into thin air. A small container is helpful for these small pieces that you remove. You don't want to finish the job and then find some leftover hardware on your garage floor. Those "extra" parts often matter quite a bit for safety and how well your seats actually work.
Make sure that you protect all your new seats for your safety. The majority of people use too few mounting points or pick the wrong type of bolts for installation. Your seats should always stay in place when you take some corners or if you ever get into a fender bender. The last thing that you want, naturally, is to feel your seat change while you're driving down the road.
Remember that your entire driving experience can seem completely different if your new seats sit at a different height than the original ones. You might suddenly find you're hunched down trying to see the road ahead or bumping your head on the roof of your car. Take some careful measurements before you commit, and try to sit in the car during the test fitting stage if you can.
Check for any floor changes you might need to make for the installation. Sometimes, you'll need to drill some new holes or cut some parts of your floor pan. After making these changes, seal everything up well. You don't want any exhaust fumes sneaking into your car while you drive around. Even the loveliest day in your Datsun loses its beauty when you're breathing in some bad air from under the car.
Build Your Dream Car
New seats for your vintage S30 can usually make a giant difference in how much you like your car. When you sit in a seat that fits well, matches your car's style, and makes you comfortable on long drives, you might ask yourself why you didn't change them sooner. The good news is you don't have to choose between old-school looks and modern comfort - with some thought and care during the setup and installation process, you can get the classic feel and the support you need for weekend cruising.
Knowing about the mounting options and safety needs helps you quite a bit down the road. Just see how sitting in the right position might make your driving more fun or how setting up your harness correctly could make you safer if something goes wrong. These little facts might not seem like much. But together, they can create a cabin that does what it should - keeps you comfortable while you enjoy your classic car.
Fixing up your car should be as fun as driving it. If the seat installation seems too tough, you can reach out to other enthusiasts or pros for help. The S30 community generally likes to share what they know, which can save you time and help you stay away from expensive mistakes. What do you want your interior to look like? Do you like keeping it like it was back in the day, or are you okay with adding some modern touches that can make your driving more fun?
At Skillard, we love Datsun cars just as much as you do. Remember that we make custom parts for the 240Z, 260Z, 280Z, and other classic Datsun models to help you build a car that feels like it's yours. Our aluminum door panels can make your car lighter, and our bumpers can improve your car's style - all made with the same care you've taken in picking your seats.
Ready to move forward with your restoration? Check out Skillard.com to see how our parts can help turn your car dreams into reality.
