Hundreds Of Products Ready Today. Dispatch/Collection Retro Bucket Seat Options for Your Triumph TR4
The Triumph TR4 is a true British classic with timeless styling and an unmistakable silhouette. But for all its charm, the TR4 wasn’t designed with modern seat comfort or fitment flexibility in mind. Its compact cabin, narrow floorpan, and tight shoulder space make finding the right aftermarket bucket seat a serious challenge. Most modern seats are simply too wide or too tall to fit without cutting into the car or making serious structural modifications.
That’s where our range of retro-fit classic bucket seats comes in. We understand the unique constraints of cars like the TR4, and we’ve carefully selected a shortlist of compact seat options that can work inside this small cockpit without altering the interior. These seats are slim, low-profile, and period-correct in appearance, giving you a comfortable, supportive driving position without spoiling the car’s original character.
In this guide, we’ll run through our three top seat recommendations for the Triumph TR4, the Cobra Cub, the Cobra Roadster 7, and the Cobra Roadster SS. These seats are all narrow enough to work within the limited space, while offering the classic styling that suits the car. We’ll also cover key fitment tips, installation advice, and options for personalising your seats using Cobra’s Signature Range. If you’re restoring or improving your TR4, this is the guide to help you get the right seats installed with confidence.
Why Replace the Factory Seats in a Triumph TR4?
Driving a 1960s sports car like the TR4 is all about enjoying the classic motoring experience, but that doesn’t mean you have to tolerate the shortcomings of 60-year-old seat design. Replacing the factory seats can bring a number of benefits:
- Comfort: The original TR4 seats may be worn out and lack support. New bucket seats with better padding and ergonomic shaping will hold you in place during spirited driving and make long drives more enjoyable. No more bracing yourself against the door in fast corners!
- Safety: Early TR4s didn’t have headrests, which are important for preventing whiplash in a rear-end collision. Modern retro buckets often include integrated or optional headrests for improved safety. They also have stronger frames (tubular steel in the case of Cobra seats) that offer more rigidity. Some even accommodate harness belts for those adding modern seatbelts to their classic.
- Aesthetics: Let’s face it – a pair of fresh retro-styled buckets just looks cool. New seats can revitalize your TR4’s interior, especially with customization. You can choose period-correct materials (like vinyl with pleated centers, or even tartan fabric inserts) to match the car’s era, or add a personal twist with custom colors. It’s an upgrade that enhances the car’s character rather than detracting from it.
In short, the right aftermarket seats can make your TR4 more comfortable to drive, safer in the event of a bump, and even more charming to look at. Now, let’s check out the seats themselves.
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Cobra Cub Bucket Seat
The Cobra Cub is the smallest and slimmest fixed-back bucket seat that Cobra has ever made. It’s a true minimalist seat designed to go where virtually no other seat will fit – perfect for the tight cockpit of a Triumph TR4. In fact, the Cobra Cub was created for situations where you practically “wedge yourself” into the car, using the transmission tunnel on one side and the door on the other as your side support. This means the seat itself has very low side bolsters, relying on the car’s interior to help hold you in place. The design is a classic low-back style, reminiscent of 1960s British roadsters, which keeps the period-correct look in your TR4’s cabin.
Despite its retro appearance, the Cub is built with modern construction techniques. It uses a rigid tubular steel frame for strength, but it is not an FIA-approved racing seat, it’s intended for road use and classic driving, not competitive motorsport. The lack of FIA homologation isn’t a knock on the seat; it simply reflects that the Cub prioritizes authentic vintage style and compact size over head-to-toe race safety features. You still get a sturdy frame and supportive shape, just without the added weight or bulk of race padding and harness slots.
- Steel frame with soft foam cushions
- No FIA approval, ideal for road use only
- Optional headrest
- Trimmed in classic vinyl or cloth
- Base mounted with Cobra’s 291mm bolt pattern
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Cobra Roadster 7 Bucket Seat
If you’re after a narrow seat that doesn’t skimp on backrest height or support, the Cobra Roadster 7 is a top contender. This seat was originally designed with Lotus Seven-style kit cars in mind, vehicles that, like the TR4, have very limited interior space and prioritize light weight and simplicity. The Roadster 7 is a fixed-back sports seat that embodies the ethos of “performance through low weight and simplicity”. The Triumph TR4 offers a classic look with a little more racing influence in its design than the Cub.
One of the standout features of the Roadster 7 is that it includes an integrated headrest (a headrest pad is built into the top of the seat). Unlike the Cub, you don’t have the option to remove the headrest; it’s a permanent part of the seat’s shape. This design was partly to ensure the seat meets modern safety standards. In fact, the Roadster 7 meets the latest IVA regulations, which in the UK means it complies with safety requirements for use in kit cars and custom builds (IVA is the Individual Vehicle Approval test). For TR4 drivers, this simply means the Roadster 7 has passed modern criteria for things like headrest height and strength, a reassurance that the seat will offer genuine protection despite its classic style.
- Slim 350mm shoulder width
- Period-correct tall backrest
- Steel frame, base-mounted
- No headrest by default
- Ideal for narrow sports cars and roadsters
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Cobra Roadster SS Bucket Seat
Our third featured seat is the Cobra Roadster SS, another retro bucket from Cobra’s lineup that works great in the Triumph TR4. The “SS” in its name hints at its design intent; this seat is a Shorter and Smaller variant of the Cobra Roadster series, tailored for the most space-restricted applications. The Roadster SS offers the same basic classic styling as the other Roadster seats, but Cobra has less pronounced curvature in the backrest and a more tapered shape to achieve a smaller footprint. In plain terms: it’s a bit flatter and narrower at the base, so it can squeeze into cars with very confined cabins without rubbing on interior trim.
In the TR4, the Roadster SS’s compact size is a major plus. The seat base is narrow and flat, which is perfect for the TR4’s low seating position and limited floor space. In fact, the bottom of the Roadster SS is only about 460 mm wide, identical to the Cub and Roadster 7 base width, but the shape of the sides is different; it doesn’t have pronounced side bolsters, which helps it sit lower and avoid interference with the TR4’s transmission tunnel or door sill. The seat’s overall height is only around 550 mm, which is quite low. This means if you prefer a seat that doesn’t stick up too high (for instance, to maintain rear visibility or to keep that open-roadster look), the Roadster SS is ideal. It basically sits below the height of the TR4’s rear deck, whereas the Roadster 7, being taller, will be more visible in profile.
- Wider backrest at 540mm across
- Period-style vinyl upholstery with pleats
- Steel frame, road use only
- Base mounted
- Classic design with a relaxed seating angle
- does not have an integrated headrest
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Seat Dimensions and Fitment Guidance
Fitment is everything in a TR4. The dimensions below help you visualise how each seat fits in comparison:
- Cobra Cub: 460mm base width, 390mm shoulder width, 680mm tall
- Cobra Roadster 7: 460mm base width, 350mm shoulder width, 750mm tall
- Cobra Roadster SS: 460mm base width, 540mm shoulder width, 550mm tall
All three seats feature a 291mm bolt spacing for base mounting and are designed with compact floorpan fitment in mind. The Roadster SS is the widest at the backrest, while the Roadster 7 offers the tallest profile. The Cub offers the lowest profile, ideal for small spaces or drivers who want to sit lower in the vehicle.
Cobra Cub – technical diagram with dimensions. The Cobra Cub comes in at about 680 mm tall when the headrest is attached (the seat back itself is lower, around 520 mm without the headrest). It’s roughly 390 mm wide at the shoulder area, wider than the Roadster 7, but narrower than the Roadster SS. The base is 460 mm wide, like the others. Essentially, the Cub occupies a middle ground in shoulder width and overall height. It’s compact enough that you won’t have any trouble fitting it into a TR4’s tub, but it provides a bit more upper body room than the very slim Roadster 7. Keep in mind, the Cub’s low-back nature means if you don’t use the headrests, you’re giving up head support entirely. Many TR4 owners run low-back seats for the vintage look but install a roll bar with integrated headrests or other solutions for safety. With the Cub, you have the flexibility to add the official headrests when you want them.
Cobra Roadster 7 – technical diagram with dimensions. The Roadster 7 is the tallest seat here, at roughly 750 mm total height including its integrated headrest. It shares the same 460 mm base width, but at the shoulders, it is dramatically narrower, only about 350 mm wide at the top. This slim upper width was intentionally designed to fit in tiny kit cars; in a TR4, it means you’ll have plenty of clearance by the doors. Tall drivers will appreciate the extra backrest height for support, but you should measure your available headroom to ensure a 750 mm seat will fit under any hard top or rollover bar if you have one. The Roadster 7’s narrow profile also means it may feel a bit more “snug” around the upper back for broader individuals. It’s worth sitting in one (if possible) to make sure the fit suits your build.
Cobra Roadster SS – technical diagram with dimensions. The Roadster SS has a base width of about 460 mm, matching both the Cub and Roadster 7 in the lower area. Its shoulders flare out to 540 mm wide, giving the widest back support of the trio. Despite that, the overall height is only 550 mm, making it the shortest seat. This low height is great for preserving rear visibility, and the open-cockpit look in the TR4, but remember that a low-back seat like this relies on an optional headrest if you want head support. In terms of depth, the Roadster SS’s seating area is similar to the others (around 490–500 mm from the front of the cushion to the back). It will sit low and should clear the TR4 tonneau cover or soft top when folded, due to its short backrest.
Installation Advice for the TR4
Fitting aftermarket seats in a classic car can be a bit of an adventure, and the Triumph TR4 is no exception. As mentioned, there aren’t any off-the-shelf vehicle-specific subframes for mounting the Cobra Cub, Roadster 7, or Roadster SS directly into a TR4. But don’t let that discourage you; with some creativity and basic fabrication, it’s absolutely doable to install these seats securely.
All three Cobra seats are base-mounted, meaning bolts go through the bottom of the seat into a bracket or runner. The bolt pattern is the same for each: about 291 mm side-to-side and 345 mm front-to-back (give or take) for the four mounting bolts. Knowing this, you have a few options:
- Modify the Original Seat Runners: The TR4’s factory seats likely attach to sliding rails on the floor. Some owners choose to remove the old seat from its runners and then fabricate an adapter plate that bolts to the Cobra seat base and then to the original runners. This can be as simple as a flat steel or aluminum plate with holes drilled in the right places. The advantage is you retain the stock adjustability and mounting points on the floor. You’ll need to ensure the adapter plate positions the seat at the right height and angle – often the new seat will sit lower than stock, which many consider a bonus for a lower driving position.
- Universal Seat Sliders and Custom Brackets: We have Cobra sliding runners that share the same 291mm wide bolt pattern on the bases of the seats for a direct fitment. You could pair a set of universal sliders with L-brackets or fabricated brackets that bolt into the TR4’s floor mounts. Since the Cobra seats are narrow, you might even be able to use Classic Mini seat subframes (the old Mini also had a very narrow floor). In fact, Cobra makes classic Mini-specific frames that use the 291 mm pattern, and some TR4 builders have adapted those or similar frames to their cars. Be prepared to drill new holes or add reinforcement as needed.
- Direct Floor Mounting: In some cases, especially for racing applications, people will fix mount seats directly to the floor. This is not commonly done in street-driven TR4s because you’d lose the ability to adjust the seat position, and it may not be as safe without reinforcement. However, if you go this route, make sure to use large spreader plates under the floor for the bolts so that the seat is securely anchored. Always double-check for interference with the seat moving fully forward/back, clearing the doors, etc., during test fitting.
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When custom-fitting these seats, take careful measurements before drilling or cutting anything. It helps to place the seat in the car (with no brackets) to find the ideal fore/aft position and recline angle, then measure how much spacer or bracket height you need. Remember that the TR4 is a convertible, so check that the seat back doesn’t sit too high for your soft top or tonneau cover to fit over it (especially relevant for the taller Roadster 7). The Roadster SS and Cub will be fine in that regard due to their low profiles.
Cobra Signature Range – Customising Your Seat
One of the joys of upgrading seats is the ability to personalise the look, and Cobra’s Signature Range is all about that. Each of these Cobra seats (Cub, Roadster 7, and Roadster SS) can be custom-built in a huge variety of trims and finishes to match your vision. Rather than settling for plain black vinyl (unless that’s your preference for a factory-original vibe), you can let your imagination run a bit wild.
Do you love the classic tartan plaid inserts seen in 60s and 70s sports cars? Cobra offers several tartan fabrics for the center panels of their seats. Everything from a red/black “GTI” tartan to blue, green, or yellow tartan patterns is available to give your seat a retro flair. Maybe you’re more into the vintage European motorsport look; in that case, houndstooth (dogtooth) fabric is an option for the seat centers as well. A pair of Cobra seats with black bolsters and black-and-white houndstooth cloth centers would look right at home in a 1960s-era interior, adding that touch of period-correct style.
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Cobra’s Classic Bucket Seats: Tailored Solutions for Tight TR4 Cockpits
Choosing the right bucket seat for a Triumph TR4 comes down to balancing fit, comfort, and style, and as we’ve seen, Cobra has some great options that tick all those boxes. The Cobra Cub, Roadster 7, and Roadster SS each solve the fitment puzzle of the TR4’s tiny cockpit by keeping things narrow and compact. They let you upgrade to a safer, more supportive seat without hacking up your classic car. And importantly, they maintain that retro feel so the character of your TR4 isn’t lost to modern-looking racing seats.
Out of these three, you have options whether you prefer a low-back vintage look (Cub or Roadster SS in default form) or a high-back seat with integrated headrest (Roadster 7). You can decide based on your driving needs and aesthetic preferences. All the while, Cobra’s custom trim possibilities mean you aren’t limited to “one-size-fits-all” looks; you can coordinate your seats with your interior or make a style statement that sets your TR4 apart. From traditional black vinyl to eye-catching tartan and beyond, there’s a world of choices to explore.
In the end, upgrading the seats in your Triumph TR4 is one of the most rewarding modifications you can do. It enhances your comfort on every drive, gives you peace of mind with better support, and refreshes the cabin with a dose of classic style. The tight dimensions of the TR4 demand a special kind of seat, and Cobra’s retro range provides the perfect answer. We hope this guide has helped you understand the options and sparked some inspiration for your own TR4. Whichever seat you choose, get ready to sink in, buckle up, and enjoy the drive with a newfound level of comfort and confidence, all while staying securely planted in those narrow twisty roads that British sports cars were made for. Happy motoring!