I'm seriously thinking about removing the pathetic rear seat and replacing it with something more useful. My Series III E-Type OTS had a sort of platform behind the seats that could hold luggage (see fitted luggage photo attached) and was removable to afford access to the rear brake pads (not necessary in this case). Various Ferraris had a platform as well .... some covered in carpet, others in a quilt pattern leather. Some images attached.
I haven't decided whether to go with carpet or what passes for hide in our cars. My interior is cashmere and sable. I'm also thinking about adding luggage strips, but haven't been able to locate a supplier here in the U.S. Anybody know what else they might be called in a google search?
I've made some cardboard templates and plan to paint them as close to the carpet and trim colors as I can find, them take some "what-if" photos.

Ken

 

I can't offer any help, but I've got the same interest. I just haven't seen what I would consider to be the right solution for these cars yet.

I'm looking forward to seeing your mock-up!


.

 

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...-seater-96799/

 

I'll be watching as well. My issue is I want to delete the seats but leave a ledge for my dog. So maybe half height. My convertible XJS had that. A locking lid but room on top.

 

Some xjs convertibles early ones had something like thes.

 

I like this.

 

Put in 10" Subs.

 

I'm sure many others must have wondered why the XK8 even has a rear seat. It's barely adequate for small children or one adult sitting sideways.

One explanation from Jaguar was that it's considerably cheaper to obtain Vehicle Type Approval for a seat than it is for a rear luggage platform!

That may not seem a big deal but apparently it could add significantly to the development costs as Bentley discovered when they offered the luggage platform option with the Continental T.

Graham

 

The reason they have rear seats is for importation purposes. Apparently the taxes/duties are far more expensive for 2 seat sports cars as opposed to 4 seaters. And it also makes for cheaper insurance rates. At least from what I understand.

I want to do the rear seat delete as well. However, I want a lockable area for my camera gear or for firearms.

 

Here is a rear seat delete I did over the winter on my 2005 XKR. The storage compartments are from a corvette, the left and right retractable hangers from a mercedes. The wood for the phone station is from a XJS. The light is from also from a Jaguar.

 

Michael,

Very nicely done. Looks great.

How was the shell made for the vette compartments?

 

Nice job.

For now, I like the seat. My children are still able to ride one in passenger with seat up and one in back. No long trips, but getting them from school, taking them to practice still works. They love getting out of school and seeing the XKR .

 

Finished mine last year. Kept it simple. Didn't realize how much room was wasted by a relatively useless seat.

 

Also made a trunk for my car show cleaning supplies. Two jaguar shifter knob umbrellas with custom holders. And one of my speaker grilles was damaged so I replaced with Union Flag covers!

 

This is the most useful conversion I've seen. What year Vette are the storage boxes from?

Been wanting to do this also but with Cashmere interior it's hard to match colors. The folks with black interior have many more options.

 

I want a rocket launcher hidden away in mine (to sort out caravans and annoying drivers)

 

Here is the beginning frame. I then put 1X8 pine between each of the areas where the three compartments would be. Topped it out with plywood cut out to fit the compartments. The three door cover was for a 1979 Corvette which I sourced from Corvette Central on line.

 

Almost exactly how I built Mine!

 

If you use vinyl, you can order a leather/vinyl refinish kit from ebay. I did for my XF seats and its a dead match. They match any stock color from your interior code. The company is scratch wizard. 50.00 a can. Not a cheap finish and it takes some special prep but my leather seats look brand new and no wear at all!!

 

How wonderfully simple and attractive. You solution to the silly (required 'rear seats') is one of those things one never considers until someone points it out. How often I've stared at and vacuumed those three compartment covers (two were for storage and the driver side one was for the battery) in the many 1970s Corvettes I've had. Thanks