Fiat BC Coupe seats

[Redline]

Sort of walking the line between originality and safety at the moment. I just bought a '72 BC Coupe with lowback front seats. They are in generally good condition, but could certainly benefit from some attention eventually. However, as spinal trauma is my main occupational area of interest, my desire to keep everything original is facing stiff opposition from the practical wish to achieve a minimum of protection.

First question: are the seat runners the same bolt pattern for the Spider and Coupe? Makes it easier for me to hunt and look at other solutions people have tried.

Second question: any suggestions for an alternative seat which might look reasonably 70s (lowish seatback, not too bulky) yet also offer a reasonably adjustable headrest? Fabricating a bracket to adapt is not really a problem for me, and I would also consider reupholstering all seats to match. Some ideas I had were the first generation VW GTI seats (these were fabulously supportive and yet quite small), but maybe that's still too modern. I also thought the BMW E21 or E30 seats were fairly simple in appearance. My left-field idea was (don't laugh) a Lada Niva. I saw one in a classic magazine, and the seats look very 70s and Fiat-ish.

Open to suggestions.


The static 3-pt belts will also be replaced with intertial belts, but this seems quite straightforward.

[kmead]

You should be able to convert to Spider seats, either by just replacing the back or the whole seat.

Alternatively a set of period Recaro or Scheel seats would be worth finding. Some from a 3 series BMW (E30 style) or a 2002 if you can find them would be appropriate. I would go with the aftermarket seats if you are really interested in safety and back issues, they will be much stronger than the OE seats.