Now here's a tester. Think back to Colin Chapman's very first Austin 7-based 'Lotus' trials car. Just received from Clive Chapman of Classic Team Lotus:
"Dear Doug
"I am anti so-called replicas and continuation cars, in principle. However......to mark 75 years of Lotus in 2023 I am working on a copy of the Mk I. (To be a runner and road registered.)
"It appears as if it was fitted with metal bucket seats, in the style of 'Bomber' seats.
"If from an aircraft then presumably there were lightweight and readily available, post-war.
"If you zoom in on the image with Mum at the wheel you can see a distinctive slot detail in the side panel of the seat.
"If you zoom in on the action image you can see the bomber seat style sides and flat top. Also a detail in the middle, near the top.
"Thinking more about it, I wonder if it was a fold-flat seat? The thing on the back is for pulling it up; the slots on the sides are for side stays which slide along the slot as the seat is pulled up, into position. (Although the seats were fixed in position, in the Mk I, we believe.) So, maybe more of a 'jump' seat or 'dickie' seat? Possibly from a vehicle of some kind. Possibly from an aircraft. The flat back would be suitable for a seat folding flat, down into a floor (much like a Discovery seat).
"It's out there somewhere and I wondered if this might prick your interest to the extent you might set a hare running, amongst your forum colleagues."
I first thought of glider seats, lightweight, but upon checking they all appear to have comprised simple metal frames with just inter-woven fabric cush and backs. Then perhaps a flight deck jump seat - or then scout car, armoured car or tank seats in thin pressed steel. But does anyone here have a better idea, or indeed better reference?
It would be so nice to help CTL keep the faith, identify the source of those seats...and get it right. After all, most of the time, they do just that.
DCN
