The Type Retro II comes in two trims on the same shell. This is the fabric version. Part number SS 65Z, £315 single. The fabric breathes better than the vinyl version on a hot trackday and does not turn cold in January the way vinyl does. Both cost the same, both use the 345mm x 280mm base-mount bolt pattern, and neither has a built-in headrest.
The Retro II sits near the top of the 345mm reclining range by price. For the same bolt pattern and less money, the RS6-II Vinyl (SS68, £278) is a more modern seat in five colour options, and the BS2 (SS42, £265) has a wider shoulder shape for £50 less. The Retro II has the more upright, clean-backed profile the name suggests rather than the flared bolsters of the BS2. That profile suits a classic or period-correct interior better.
If you are deciding between this and the Retro II Vinyl (SS 65L, same price), the shells are identical. Fabric is the choice if you want something that breathes and has texture underhand. Vinyl wipes clean faster after a trackday. Neither has a colour option; both are black.
Sliders are included. You will need a vehicle-specific fitting frame; confirm the 345mm x 280mm pattern matches yours before ordering. The seat works with a 4-point harness. Road and Track approval only, not suitable for regulated competition. All heights and all waist sizes.
If a reclining seat on a smaller budget is fine for the car, the Type Eco (SS40, £225) covers the same bolt pattern in three colour combinations for £90 less.
Have you written anything about this exact product?
Yes, we have covered this exact product: Discover the Auto Style Type AK Reclining Sports Seat, and Auto Style Type Classic Bucket Seats Now Available to View In-Store. That is first-hand coverage from our own builds and showroom, not brochure copy.
Will I fit in this seat?
The maker lists no driver size restriction on this seat, so it suits the full range of heights and waists. Those are the paper numbers; how a seat actually feels to sit in and climb out of is a different question, and our showroom team sit in these seats every day, so call us with your height and waist and we will give you the honest answer.
What kind of car suits this seat?
Classic and retro vehicles, which is exactly what this shell is designed around. The low-back retro style belongs in a period build, not a modern car, however tempting the weight figure looks. If you are kitting out a modern road or track car, we will point you at the right modern shell instead.
Is this seat FIA approved?
No, this is a road and track day seat rather than a homologated competition seat. For events that require an FIA seat, look at the FIA-approved shells in the range, and ask us if you are unsure what your series needs.
What do I need to fit it to my car?
This is a base-mount seat: it bolts down through its base, the simpler stack for road cars. You will need the car-specific frame, and a sliding runner if you want fore-and-aft adjustment. Our guide on base mount versus side mount walks through the whole stack, and tell us your car and we will quote the full kit.
Does it work with harnesses and a HANS device?
The shell takes 4 point compatible. If you are planning the full seat, harness, and HANS setup, tell us the car and we will spec it end to end.
How do I know it will feel right, not just fit on paper?
Fair question, because makers publish widths and weights, never feel, and two seats with identical numbers can feel nothing alike in the car. We keep the ranges on display in the Nottingham showroom, you are welcome to come and sit in them, and if you cannot get to us, call and describe your build, as the team sit in these seats every day. Our head support measurements guide shows the kind of real-world data we collect.
