Customer Question: I'm Too Tall For The Cobra Monaco Pro In My MX-5. What Can I Do?
MX-5 seat fitting guide
One of the most popular seat setups in the Mazda MX-5 is the Cobra Monaco Pro on low side mounts from Endurance or Cybul. It drops the driver lower in the car, which helps both headroom and the driving position, and for most owners it is the answer.
For taller drivers, usually those over about 6ft 2in or with long legs, even that may not be low enough. When the Monaco Pro still leaves your head too close to the roof, the next step is a fibreglass bucket seat. This guide shows why, with our own measurements, and which seats and mounts we suggest.
- Cobra Monaco Pro on low side mounts is the usual MX-5 bucket seat setup
- Drivers over about 6ft 2in may need to sit lower still
- We measured the base at about 6cm off the floor on the Monaco Pro and about 3cm on the Sparco Evo QRT
- On some fibreglass seats the base pad can come out to sit on the shell
- Our suggestion: Sparco Rev QRT, Grid Q or Evo QRT on Cybul MX-5 NA/NB mounts
What is on this page
Why a fibreglass seat sits lower
The Cobra Monaco Pro is a steel seat, fully plated with a solid back and base. That construction is why many people choose it, but it also means the base has more depth to it than a moulded fibreglass shell.
A fibreglass bucket seat is much thinner at the base. That alone gets the driver lower. On some fibreglass seats the base pad is held in with Velcro and can be taken out completely, so you sit directly on the shell for the most headroom possible.
What we measured
To show the difference, we measured the Cobra Monaco Pro and the Sparco Evo QRT in the showroom. We ran a tape from the floor to the top of the seat base, measuring at the centre harness strap slot in the middle of the seat.
The Monaco Pro measured about 6cm off the floor. The Sparco Evo QRT measured barely 3cm. Take the Evo's base pad out and the driver drops further again.
Three centimetres may not sound much, but in an MX-5 with the hood up it is often the difference between a helmet touching the roof and not. Combined with low mounts, a fibreglass seat gives a tall driver the most room the car can offer.
The fibreglass seats we suggest for tall MX-5 drivers
All three are fixed back, side mount seats homologated to FIA 8855-1999, so they suit track use and competition as well as the road.
Sparco Rev QRT
Sparco’s entry FIA seat and a narrower shell than the Evo, which suits the MX-5’s small cockpit. Velour trim, 4 and 6 point harness compatible, HANS compatible. Our listing sizes it for a 32 to 36 inch waist.
- 560mm wide at the shoulders
- 455mm wide at the base
- 865mm tall
Sparco Grid Q
A fabric trimmed FIA seat with removable padding, so the seating height can be dropped further. Compact enough for the MX-5, with good lateral support. 6 point harness compatible, HANS compatible, listed for a 32 to 36 inch waist.
- 595mm wide at the shoulders
- 490mm wide at the base
- 870mm tall
Sparco Evo QRT
The seat we measured. It gives one of the lowest seating positions of the fibreglass seats we sell and is the most widely fitted seat in Sparco’s QRT range, a little roomier inside than the Rev.
- 560mm wide at the shoulders
- 485mm wide at the base
- 890mm tall
The mounts that get you lowest
The seat is only half of it. To get the lowest position in a Mk1 or Mk2 MX-5, pair a fibreglass seat with the Cybul Mazda MX-5 NA/NB bucket seat mounts. They are made for the NA and NB chassis, in steel, and they are side mounts, which generally put the seat lower than base mounting does.
- Made for the Mazda MX-5 NA and NB
- Low profile side mount design for the lowest seat position
- For side mount bucket seats
- Steel construction, for fast road and track use
With a Sparco Rev QRT, Grid Q or Evo QRT, they give tall drivers the lowest setup we know of for the car.
Which route suits you
For most MX-5 owners, the Cobra Monaco Pro on Endurance or Cybul side mounts is a good low setup. For drivers over about 6ft 2in, or with long legs that need the seat further back, it may still not be low enough, and a fibreglass seat is the next step. For track use, taking out the base pad drops you further.
Garreth’s advice is to come and sit in them. The Monaco Pro and the Sparco seats are on our showroom display, and a few minutes trying them back to back tells you more than any measurement.
Why do I sit too high in a Cobra Monaco Pro?
The Monaco Pro is a steel plated seat with a deeper base than a fibreglass shell. We measured it at about 6cm off the floor against about 3cm for a Sparco Evo QRT.
What is the lowest bucket seat setup for an MX-5 Mk1 or Mk2?
A fibreglass seat such as the Sparco Rev QRT, Grid Q or Evo QRT on Cybul MX-5 NA/NB side mounts.
Can I remove the base cushion to sit lower?
On some fibreglass seats, yes. The base pad is held with Velcro and can come out so you sit on the shell.
Are the Sparco seats FIA approved?
Yes. The Rev QRT, Grid Q and Evo QRT are homologated to FIA 8855-1999.
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For tall MX-5 driversFibreglass on Cybul mounts
A Sparco fibreglass seat on Cybul NA/NB side mounts is the lowest setup we know of.
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