Ford Ka Mk1 bucket seat guide
October 1996 to 2008, including SportKa
The Ka Mk1 has a raised floor section that needs a top-hat bridge piece to clear properly before a direct-fit sub-frame will sit right. That piece is included with the Sparco sub-frame, not an extra to source separately, which is worth knowing before you order.
Three brands list a Mk1-specific direct-fit sub-frame: Sparco, Corbeau and Recaro. This guide covers those frames, the competition seats that suit a car this small and light, and roll cages built for this generation.
- The Ka Mk1 has a raised floor section that needs a top-hat bridge piece to clear properly. The Sparco sub-frame includes this piece in the price
- The Sparco sub-frame is handed: driver and passenger frames are different parts. Select the position and order twice if fitting both seats
- Three brands list a Mk1-specific sub-frame: Sparco, Corbeau and Recaro
- Three roll cage options exist for this car: an SW Motorsports MSUK-approved bolt-in cage, and two Custom Cages weld-in options
- Harnesses above 3-point need a roll cage or a properly engineered harness bar
Mounting
The Sparco direct-fit sub-frame (14837, part 00499069-1698) at £131.77 fits the Ka Mk1 from October 1996 to 2008, using the standard 345mm x 271mm bolt pattern, compatible with Sparco, OMP and Corbeau base-mount seats. It includes the top-hat bridge piece needed to clear the raised floor section, and it is handed: driver and passenger frames are different, priced per single frame.
The Corbeau direct-fit sub-frame (14606) at £245 is the brand-specific option for Corbeau seats. The Recaro direct-fit sub-frame (14967) at £219.44 is the matching frame if you are running a Recaro recliner.
For side mount, the Sparco FIA steel brackets (13876) carry their own FIA approval. Add the Sparco sliding runner kit (14036) for fore-aft adjustment.
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Competition bucket seats
Most seats here carry FIA 8855-1999 approval. The OMP Champ-R at £381.60 and Mirco GT 3D at £324 are lighter fibreglass options, side mount and suited to keeping a small car light. The OMP ARS-R at £513.60 covers a broader fit band, listed for all heights.
The Mirco RS2 3D at £425.40 and Sparco Evo QRT at £570.00 sit at the upper end. The Corbeau Sprint X System 1 XL at £720.00 and Revenge X System 1 at £780.00 are the newest-standard FIA seats in this range.
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Competition seats for the Ka Mk1Which bucket seat for a Ford Ka Mk1
For a track day car on this light platform, the OMP Champ-R at £381.60 is a lighter FIA-rated fibreglass option worth prioritising over the heavier steel-shelled seats. For a SportKa built properly for circuit work, the Sparco Evo QRT at £570.00 gives more support through fast corners. Talk to us with the seat dimensions and confirm the sub-frame before ordering.
Reclining sport seats
Reclining sport seats are base mount, fitting the sub-frame matching the seat brand. The Sparco R100 Martini Racing at £349.99 is the accessible starting point. The Sparco R333 at £449.47 and GT at £505.90 give a step up in finish and support.
At the top of the range, the Recaro Speed at £1,001.70 and the Recaro Sportster CS With Heating at £2,154.60 are premium reclining seats, both pairing with the Recaro sub-frame above.
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Reclining seats for the Ka Mk1Which recliner for a Ford Ka Mk1
The Sparco R100 Martini Racing at £349.99 is a sensible starting point, a real step up from the factory seat. The Sparco GT at £505.90 is worth the jump if the car sees regular track use. For a full interior rebuild, the Recaro Speed at £1,001.70 or the Sportster CS With Heating at £2,154.60 are the seats in this guide built to that standard, pairing with the Recaro sub-frame.
Roll cages
The SW Motorsports full bolt-in cage (197322) at £1,344.00 is MSUK approved and built using 3D scanning technology for a tight, accurate fit, with pre-notched tubes, engineering drawings and a dimension sheet included.
Custom Cages list two weld-in options: the International Multipoint T45 (236121) at £1395, FIA and MSA approved, and the Multipoint CDS (246415) at £1150, MSUK compliant in CDS tube. Both are UK-manufactured multipoint kits with an 8-point minimum, suited to circuit racing, time attack, drifting, hillclimbs, sprints, track days, rallying and rallycross.
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Harnesses
Harnesses need a roll cage or harness barA 4-point, 5-point or 6-point harness with separate shoulder straps needs proper attachment points above and behind the seat. Fit a roll cage or a properly engineered harness bar before using anything above a 3-point belt.
The TRS Clubman 3-point bolt-in at £96.00 and 4-point clip-in at £120.00 both use the standard seat belt anchor points and do not need a cage. For 4-point competition use, the TRS Magnum 4-point FIA at £246.00 and the Takata Drift II at £274.80 are the step up.
For 6-point harnesses, the cage goes in first. The TRS Magnum 6-point Superlite FIA at £245, the Takata Drift III at £324.00 and the Schroth Profi 3×2 at £370 all suit a caged Ka Mk1 going to competition or serious track days.
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What fits
Mounting route and approval for every seat in this guide.
| Seat | Mounting | Approval | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Competition bucket seats | |||
| OMP Champ-R FIA | Side mount | FIA 8855-1999 | HANS compatible. |
| Mirco GT 3D FIA | Side mount | FIA 8855-1999 | Fibreglass shell. |
| OMP ARS-R FIA | Side mount | FIA 8855-1999 | Broadest fit band. |
| Mirco RS2 3D FIA | Side mount | FIA 8855-1999 | Fibreglass shell. |
| Sparco Evo QRT FIA | Base mount and side mount | FIA 8855-1999 | Dual mount. |
| Corbeau Sprint X System 1 XL FIA | Side mount | FIA System 1 | XL sizing. |
| Corbeau Revenge X System 1 FIA | Side mount | FIA System 1 | Newer System 1 standard. |
| Reclining sport seats | |||
| Sparco R100 Martini Racing | Base mount | Road and Track | |
| Sparco R333 | Base mount | Road and Track | |
| Sparco GT | Base mount | Road and Track | |
| Recaro Speed | Base mount | Road and Track | Recaro sub-frame. |
| Recaro Sportster CS With Heating | Base mount | Road and Track | Recaro sub-frame. |
Common questions
Why does the Ka Mk1 need a special sub-frame?
The floor has a raised section that a standard flat sub-frame will not clear. The Sparco frame includes a top-hat bridge piece specifically for this, so the frame sits correctly rather than fouling on the raised floor.
Why do I need to order the Sparco frame twice?
The Sparco sub-frame is handed: the driver-side and passenger-side parts are different. Each listing is priced per single frame, so select the correct side and add to the basket twice if fitting both seats.
Is there a roll cage for the Ka?
Yes, three options. SW Motorsports offer an MSUK-approved bolt-in cage built to a 3D-scanned fit. Custom Cages offer two weld-in options, one FIA and MSA approved, the other MSUK compliant.
Can I run a 6-point harness without a roll cage?
No. A 6-point harness needs anchor points above and behind the seat for the shoulder straps. Fit a roll cage or a properly engineered harness bar first. A 3-point bolt-in harness uses the standard seat belt anchor points and does not need a cage.
More help
Send us the seat you have in mind and we will confirm the sub-frame and bridge piece combination before you order. Cameron works through the seat, frame and car combination together.
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