The Cobra Classic, the shell that made the name. A fixed back bucket in period style on a steel frame. Part number COBCLA-V.
The original shape
Cobra have built this outline for decades and it has barely changed, which is the point of it. In a classic or period car a modern competition shell looks wrong however well it works; this one looks like it belongs, and it gives you support the original seat never had.
Deep sides, well rounded support, and a shape that is comfortable rather than punishing. It is a seat you can drive a long way in.
Size, and this is the one to check
710mm tall, 480mm wide, 700mm deep, at 6kg. It is listed for drivers under 6ft, and the height is why.
If you are taller, or you want more shoulder height, the Classic RSR is the same family at 820mm. That is 110mm more back, which is a real difference rather than a size label.
What it is and is not
Road and Track approved. No FIA homologation, so it suits fast road, shows and track days rather than scrutineered competition.
Harness slots for a 4 point belt. Steel frame. Base mount.
Seat only. Tell us the car and we will match a frame, and remember that Cobra frames include the sliding runner where most makers charge extra for it.
Have you written anything about this exact product?
Yes, we have covered this exact product: The Cobra Classic Tartan Range: Every Seat, Eight Tartans, And How To Measure Your Classic For Them, and Customer Question: Can You Add Heating to a Cobra Classic Bucket Seat?. Some of that comes straight from real customer questions, so you are reading answers other buyers actually needed.
Will I fit in this seat?
The maker sizes this seat for drivers under 6ft in height with a 32in to 36in waist. 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.
