Too Tall for the Cobra Monaco Pro in Your MX-5? Here’s the Best Solution
One of the most common seat setups for Mazda MX-5 owners, particularly for those looking to enhance track performance and driver support, is the Cobra Monaco Pro bucket seat paired with Endurance or Cybul side mounts. This combination is highly popular because it drops the driver lower into the car, improving both headroom and driving position.
However, for taller drivers—especially those over 6ft 2in or with long legs—even this setup may not provide enough clearance. If you’re finding that the Cobra Monaco Pro still doesn’t drop you low enough, the next step is moving to a fibreglass bucket seat.
A fibreglass seat is significantly thinner at the base compared to a steel-frame seat like the Monaco Pro. This design allows for better fitment and lower seating positions, essential for track driving and taller drivers who need extra space. Additionally, on certain fibreglass seats, the removable velcro base pad can be taken out completely, allowing you to sit directly on the seat shell for maximum headroom.
If you’re struggling with height clearance in your Mazda MX-5 Mk1, the Sparco Grid Q, Sparco Rev QRT, or Sparco Evo QRT bucket seats are the best choices. When paired with Cybul Mazda MX-5 side mounts, this setup provides the absolute lowest possible seating position, ensuring comfort, safety, and an optimal driving position.
Measuring the Height Difference – Cobra Monaco Pro vs. Sparco Evo
To give a clear visual representation of the base height difference between a steel-framed bucket seat and a fibreglass seat, we have taken detailed measurements of the Cobra Monaco Pro and Sparco Evo QRT using a tape measure from the floor to the top of the seat base using the centre harness strap guard slot in the middle of the seat. These images clearly show how the Sparco Evo sits lower at barely 3cm off the ground, offering a more race-focused and low-profile driving position compared to the Cobra Monaco Pro at 6cm off the ground.
For taller drivers struggling with headroom inside the Mazda MX-5, these measurements highlight why fibreglass seats are the better choice, especially when paired with Cybul side mounts for the lowest possible fitment.
Recommended Fibreglass Bucket Seats for Tall Drivers in an MX-5
Unlike steel-framed seats, fibreglass seats offer a lower base height, making them the best option for extra-tall drivers or those who need more legroom. The following seats provide the lowest possible fitment while maintaining support and FIA approval for track use.
Sparco Rev QRT FIA Motorsport Bucket Seat:
The Sparco Rev QRT is an excellent entry-level FIA-approved fibreglass bucket seat, designed with a slim profile and a lightweight structure, making it a perfect fit for the Mazda MX-5 Mk1’s compact cockpit. With a narrow design and lightweight construction, the Sparco Rev QRT is an excellent choice for track enthusiasts needing additional head clearance in their MX-5.
Key Features:
- FIA 8855-1999 approved, making it suitable for track and competition use.
- QRT (Quick Resin Tech) manufacturing, reducing weight without compromising strength.
- Deep side bolsters, offering improved lateral support during high-speed cornering.
- Slim profile, ensuring easy fitment inside small cars like the MX-5.
- Removable base cushion, allowing taller drivers to sit lower inside the seat shell for extra headroom.
Seat Dimensions:
- 560mm wide at the shouldersÂ
- 455mm wide at the base
- 865mm tall
- Driver waist size recommendation – (28″ – 34″)
Sparco Grid Q Motorsport Seat:
The Sparco Grid Q is a unique modular bucket seat, featuring removable cushions that allow drivers to customize the padding and seating height for an optimized fit. This makes it an ideal choice for taller MX-5 drivers who need to drop their seating position as low as possible. The ultra-compact shell ensures a perfect fit within the tight MX-5 cockpit while still offering outstanding lateral support for performance driving.
Key Features:
- Modular cushion system, allowing for adjustable comfort and seat height.
- Deep bucket design, keeping the driver securely positioned during aggressive cornering.
- Compact width, making it an excellent fit for narrow cockpit spaces.
- Removable seat padding, enabling even lower seating height for maximum headroom.
- FIA 8855-1999 approved, ensuring compliance for all motorsport events.
Seat Dimensions:
- 595mm wide at the shoulders
- 490mm wide at the base
- 870mm tallÂ
- Driver waist size recommendation – (32″ – 38″)
Sparco Evo QRT FIA Motorsport Bucket Seat:
The Sparco Evo QRT offers one of the lowest seating positions among fibreglass seats while still providing exceptional driver support. It is slightly wider than the Rev QRT and Grid Q, making it ideal for drivers who need extra comfort without sacrificing fitment in an MX-5.
Key Features:
- Fibreglass QRT shell, offering a lightweight but strong structure.
- Deeper lower seating position, ideal for tall drivers who need maximum headroom.
- Narrow fit, ensuring compatibility with MX-5 cockpits.
- Ergonomic padding and bolstering, providing both comfort and lateral stability.
- FIA 8855-1999 approved, meeting motorsport safety standards.
Seat Dimensions:
- 560mm wide at the shouldersÂ
- 485mm wide at the base
- 890mm tall
- Driver waist size recommendation – (30″ – 36″)
Visual Comparison – Cobra Monaco Pro vs. Sparco Evo Base Profiles
To provide a clear understanding of how fibreglass bucket seats compare to steel-framed seats in terms of seating height, we have taken detailed photos inside our showroom showcasing the base profiles of the Cobra Monaco Pro and the Sparco Evo QRT bucket seat.
These images illustrate:
- The difference in base height between a steel-framed seat (Cobra Monaco Pro) and a fibreglass seat (Sparco Evo QRT).
- How much lower the Sparco Evo QRT sit in comparison, making it the better choice for taller drivers.
- The additional height reduction achieved by removing the base cushion, allowing the driver to sit directly on the fibreglass shell for maximum clearance.
This comparison highlights why fibreglass bucket seats are the ultimate solution for extra-tall MX-5 drivers, providing more headroom and a better driving position than steel-framed seats.
Achieving the Lowest Fitment – Cybul MX-5 Bucket Seat Mounts
To achieve the lowest possible seat position in an MX-5, pairing a fibreglass bucket seat with Cybul side mounts is essential. These Mazda MX-5 NA/NB Bucket Seat Mounts by Cybul offer a simple, secure, and incredibly low seat installation method.
Unlike universal brackets, Cybul side mounts are specifically engineered for the MX-5, ensuring perfect fitment and maximum headroom. Their low-profile design allows the seat to sit as close to the floor as possible, making them the best solution for extra-tall drivers who need every millimeter of clearance.
Key Features of Cybul MX-5 Seat Mounts:
- Direct-fit design for Mazda MX-5 NA & NB chassis.
- Provides the lowest seat position possible, significantly reducing driver height.
- Compatible with side-mounted bucket seats, ensuring a secure and stable fit.
- Lightweight yet strong steel construction, built for track and fast road use.
- Straightforward installation, allowing for easy setup with fibreglass seats.
When combined with a Sparco Rev QRT, Grid Q, or Evo QRT, these mounts provide the ultimate low-profile setup, ensuring tall drivers have the best possible driving position without compromising comfort or performance.
Final Thoughts – The Best Solution for Tall MX-5 Drivers
For most Mazda MX-5 owners, the Cobra Monaco Pro with Endurance or Cybul side mounts provides a great low-profile seating solution. However, for drivers over 6ft 2 inches or those with long legs requiring a further back seating position, this setup may still not be low enough.
The best alternative is to switch to a fibreglass bucket seat, such as the Sparco Rev QRT, Grid Q, or Evo QRT, which all feature a lower base height than steel-framed seats. For track use, removing the velcro base padding allows drivers to sit directly on the shell, further reducing seating height. All these recommended fibreglass bucket seats are displayed and stocked at our showroom ready for viewing and testing in-store.
When combined with Cybul MX-5 NA/NB side mounts, this setup offers the absolute lowest seat position possible, making it the best option for tall drivers who need maximum headroom and comfort in an MX-5.
If you’re unsure which seat will work best for you, contact us or visit our showroom, where we can help you find the perfect bucket seat setup for your MX-5 build.