NineMeister

Probably not unless there was a strong demand. Rather than trampolines we would make additional removable cushions for the base and back, akin to the 993RS version of the original.

Target weight for the cloth version is around 5-6kg without mounts or additional cushions.

Silver Surfer

Yes, my mistake. I would take one!

JenSP

The following from Recaro's website FAQ - does that mean you will need ABE approval too (for road use) ?


Q: Can RECARO racing seats with FIA homologation be used in road traffic?

No, RECARO racing seats with FIA homologation do not have a General Type Approval (ABE) and therefore cannot be used in road traffic. However, RECARO offers the racing seat Pole Position ABE, which is licensed for road use.

Silver Surfer

I have an authentic 993 RS seat, without the supplemental cushions for lumbar and seat, and it is very comfortable. I was able to purchase the lumbar cushion from Porsche, but the seat cushion is NLA.

NineMeister

Thanks ofr pointing this out. The Allgemeine Betriebserlaubnis (ABE) is an operating permit for the use of cars or car parts in relation to German regulations, now partially replaced by EU (E mark) certification. Perhaps one of our European members can shed light to whether these regulations still apply to a vehicle over 20 years old?

Either way, the seats will be sold with FIA approval which in our view assures purchasers that they are a quality, tested, race-approved product. It will thus be up to the individual to choose to fit alternative parts to their cars and by inference accept responsibility that the car remains fit for its intended use.

NineMeister

Tooling up will start next week and we expect to have prototypes from the mould within 6 weeks. Lots of details to sort out so will keep you all posted with updates as and when I can.

eddieb4

Where does this project stand?

tjb616

Any updates Colin?

I'm seriously considering selling my authentic 964 RS seat to fund a pair of these.

gristle101

I am late to the game but would like to share that I would be interested in jumping in on a pair of these seats in cloth for the mentioned price and shipped to Eastern US. I also think that going forward with the making of these seats would be a no brainer if the only thing you are concerned about is demand.

NineMeister

Thanks for everyone's interest in the 9mRS seat. After a VERY busy few weeks I'm pleased to say that I have cleared a lot of my backlog and will be focussing on our parts program again over the next few days. Provided all goes to plan (!) I expect to have the first batch of pre-production (non-FIA) seats available sometime mid-August with 2nd batch production versions done a month later. There will be an exclusive Rennlist group buy deal offered so please keep watching for another update.

GBX

Awesome! Hope those hollow RS sways are next.

NineMeister

Latest update straight from the production shop:

After inspecting the original 993RS seat back in detail, it was noticed that the return lip around the seat was reinforced with a wet-lay of glass cloth after moulding, the suspicion being that this reinforcement was added to get around production problems de-moulding the seat from a one-piece tool. Further inspection of the seat highlighted very shallow draft angles which would make our task no easier, hence it was an easy decision to make our production tool in three pieces. The photos show wooden weirs being built around the seat to form the joint faces of the two sides of the tool which will then be removed to make the centre section of the tool. The tool is made from carbon fibre, the joints bolted together and aligned with 12mm steel dowels.

That was a week or so ago, so with the tool finished it was at last time to make the first seat. Here the shell is being laid up in pre-impregnated carbon fibre which will then be vacuum bagged and autoclaved (baked) to harden the heat setting epoxy resin. I should have more photos of the finished shell later this week.

GBX

Amazing work Colin! Sorry to get off topic, but what are the chances that you’ll start working on hollow RS style sway bars in the next 12 months?

NineMeister

The hollow sway bars are on my list, it was the manufacturer who stalled that project due to a massive order from a major car company taking all their production capacity. I'll make enquiries, however clearly we have to finish what we started with the RS seats and RS billet uprights first and get these past break-even point before making more investments.

GBX

Of course. Makes total sense! Thanks Colin. Keep on building great parts for our cars. Love it!