Hundreds Of Products Ready Today. Dispatch/Collection Customer Question: What Seats Fit in an AK Cobra Gen 2?
This is a question we were recently asked by a customer working on an AK Cobra Gen 2 build, and it is a really good one to cover properly. Seat choice in these cars is not as straightforward as it might seem at first glance, and getting it wrong can lead to a lot of unnecessary work later on.
The AK Cobra Gen 2 gives you more space than smaller kit cars, but it is still a tight and driver-focused interior. It is not designed around modern seat sizes, so you cannot just pick any aftermarket bucket seat and expect it to fit. This is where many builds run into problems, especially when seats look fine on paper but end up clashing with the tunnel or door once installed.
When this question came up, it highlighted something we see quite often. Customers want to upgrade from standard Cobra-style seats to something more supportive or more suited to their driving style, but they are unsure how far they can go in terms of size. The goal is always to find that balance between comfort, support, and a clean fit inside the car.
Because there is no official factory data for interior dimensions, the best approach is to work from real-world experience and known installs. Over time, we have built up a clear understanding of what works, what just about fits, and what should be avoided altogether.
In this guide, we break everything down into simple sections. From cockpit space and factory seat sizing, through to proven seat options and installation advice, so you can make the right choice first time without guesswork.
Cockpit Space and What You Are Working With
From what we have seen across builds and installs, the AK Cobra Gen 2 sits somewhere in the middle when it comes to interior space. It gives you more freedom than smaller kit cars, but it still has clear limits that you need to work within.
One of the biggest factors is how the space is shaped rather than just the raw width. The transmission tunnel takes up a lot of room on the driver’s side, which reduces usable space more than people expect. At the same time, the door cards and inner panels can also eat into the available width depending on how the car has been trimmed.
Factory Seat Size as a Benchmark
When trying to work out what will fit in an AK Cobra Gen 2, the easiest place to start is by looking at the seats that are already known to work. Most builds use traditional Cobra-style seats, and these give a very reliable reference point for sizing.
These seats are designed specifically for this type of car, so their dimensions naturally suit the available space. They tend to follow a simple, compact shape that avoids the common fitment issues you get with larger modern seats.
Typical sizes are:
- Base width: around 420 to 450 mm
- Shoulder width: around 500 to 540 mm
- Low profile base with minimal padding
The base width is the most important figure here. If a seat starts to go much wider than this, it will usually run into problems with the transmission tunnel or door side. Even a small increase can make a big difference in a car with limited space.
The shoulder width is a bit more forgiving, as it sits higher up in the cabin where there is slightly more room. That said, once you get close to the upper end of the range, it can still become tight depending on the shape of the seat and how it is mounted.
Another important factor is how low these seats sit. Classic Cobra seats have a very low-profile base, which helps keep the driving position correct. This is something that is easy to overlook, but it plays a big role in overall comfort, especially on longer drives.
Using these factory-style seats as a benchmark makes the selection process much simpler. If you choose an aftermarket seat that stays close to these dimensions, you are far more likely to get a clean fit without needing major adjustments.
Once you move beyond these measurements, you are no longer working within a proven setup, which is where careful measuring and planning becomes essential.
Classic Seat Recommendations
Classic bucket seats are by far the most straightforward option for the AK Cobra Gen 2, both in terms of fitment and overall look. These seats are designed with similar proportions to the original Cobra-style seats, which means they naturally suit the shape and size of the cockpit.
One of the biggest advantages of going down this route is how easily they fit. Because they stay close to the factory seat dimensions, you are far less likely to run into clearance issues with the transmission tunnel or door cards. This makes them a safe choice, especially if you want a clean installation without having to heavily modify mounting points.
Seats in this category include:
- Cobra Classic Seats
- Cobra Roadster 7 seat range
- OMP Classic bucket seats
These seats typically sit within the 420 to 450 mm base width range and around 500 to 540 mm at the shoulders. That keeps them well within the limits of the AK Cobra cockpit, making them a reliable option for most builds.
Another key benefit is the seating position. Classic seats usually have a low-profile base with minimal padding, which helps keep you sitting lower in the car. This is important for both comfort and visibility, especially with the low windscreen and open driving position that these cars are known for.
They are also much easier to work with when it comes to mounting. Most classic seats are base-mounted, which allows for simpler installation onto fabricated frames or adapted factory mounts. This is useful in a car like the AK Cobra where there are no direct bolt-in solutions available.
From a style point of view, they are also the most natural fit. The shape, trim, and overall design match the character of the car, so they do not look out of place once installed. For many builds, this is just as important as the fitment itself.
Overall, if you want something that fits well, looks right, and keeps the installation process simple, classic bucket seats are the best place to start.
-
From £290.83 Excl. VAT Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
-
From £340.83 Excl. VAT Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
-
From £344.50 Excl. VAT Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
-
From £395.00 Excl. VAT Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
-
From £474.17 Excl. VAT Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
Got a question about the equipment we sell?
Why Choose Garreth And Cameron At GSM Performance?
Key Points from This Blog
- AK Cobra Gen 2 has moderate space, but still needs careful seat sizing
- Aim for under 460 mm base width
- Aim for under 540 mm shoulder width for easier fitment
- Classic seats are the easiest and most natural fit
- Steel frame motorsport seats offer more support and still fit well
- Wider seats may fit, but require careful setup
- Large and reclining seats are best avoided
- No direct-fit subframes available; fabrication is required
- Mounting method plays a big role in final fitment
Steel Frame Motorsport Bucket Seat Recommendations
If you are looking for something more performance-focused, steel frame motorsport seats are a solid option that still fit within the car’s limits.
Recommended options include:
- Sparco Sprint
- OMP TRS-X
- Cobra Monaco Sport
These seats usually sit around 500 to 520 mm at the shoulders, which keeps them within a safe range for the AK Cobra.
They offer more support than classic seats, especially around the legs and shoulders, while still maintaining a manageable overall size. This makes them a good middle ground between classic styling and modern motorsport performance.
Cobra’s steel frame seats also offer more flexibility, as many can be mounted using either base or side mounts depending on your setup.
-
From £210.00 Excl. VAT Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
-
From £215.83 Excl. VAT Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
-
From £220.00 Excl. VAT Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
Seats to Avoid
There are some seats that are simply too large for the AK Cobra Gen 2 and will cause issues.
Avoid:
- XL or oversized bucket seats over 600 mm wide
- Wide reclining sports seats
- Heavily padded road seats
These tend to clash with the tunnel or door side and often sit too high, which affects both comfort and driving position.
Important Fitment Factors
Even if a seat looks like it should fit, there are a few key things to keep in mind.
- Base width is more important than shoulder width
- Seating height has a big impact on comfort
- The mounting method changes how the seat sits in the car
- Side mounts offer more adjustability than base mounts
Getting these right is just as important as choosing the seat itself.
Installation and Mounting Advice
Installation in the AK Cobra Gen 2 is not a simple bolt-in job. There are no off-the-shelf subframes available, so some level of fabrication or adaptation is always required.
Classic Cobra seats are base-mounted and use a 291 mm bolt pattern. This means they work best with Cobra fitting equipment or adapted frames.
Cobra motorsport steel frame seats can be both base-mounted and side-mounted, giving more flexibility depending on your setup.
Other brands like Sparco and OMP use the more common 345 mm bolt pattern. These are easier to match with universal side mounts and fabricated frames.
In most builds, you will either:
- Modify the original seat mounts
- Fabricate new mounting points
- Use universal side mounts for better positioning
Planning your mounting setup early will make the whole process much smoother.
Final Thoughts: Choosing the Right Seat Setup for Your AK Cobra Gen 2
The AK Cobra Gen 2 gives you more flexibility than smaller kit cars, but it still rewards sensible seat choices.
If you stay within the recommended sizes and choose a seat that suits both the car and your driving style, you can achieve a clean fit without unnecessary modifications.
Classic seats are the safest option for both fitment and style, while steel frame motorsport seats give you a more performance-focused setup without pushing the limits too far.
Taking the time to measure properly and plan your mounting setup will make all the difference in getting it right first time.