1960 Roadster seats.

356 Porsche-related discussions and questions.
Post Reply
Message
Author
Barry Werling
356 Fan
Posts: 2
Joined: Sat Oct 23, 2010 9:20 am

1960 Roadster seats.

#1 Post by Barry Werling »

Hello! I have a 1960 Roadster. I have several sets of seats. Most are the reclining style, but one set has the boomerang style hinges. Is either style correct for this year? Since I am 6'3" and not much room to recline the seat, would I possibly be better off using the boomerang style seat? Any ideas would be appreciated.
Thank you.

Edwin Ek
356 Fan
Posts: 1898
Joined: Sat Jun 21, 2008 11:16 am
Location: Santa Monica, CA

Re: 1960 Roadster seats.

#2 Post by Edwin Ek »

Boomerang hinges were standard on Roadsters- they were a cheaper alternative to reclining seats. They were part of the efforts to lower costs and make the Roadster more affordable than the Cabriolet.

I don't know for sure exactly when boomerangs were first fitted to Roadsters, but my guess is right from the beginning.

I have boomerangs on my Roadster and like them. I like the simpler vibe they represent. I am not as tall as you, so I have no problems with leg room or driving position. Maybe a reclining seat could give you (the feeling of) more room. But the seats are easy to swap, so you can test and decide.
#6386

User avatar
Jon Schmid
356 Fan
Posts: 1797
Joined: Thu Jun 26, 2008 4:32 pm
Location: La Mirada, CA

Re: 1960 Roadster seats.

#3 Post by Jon Schmid »

Hi Barry,
I can only speak for my Roadster, which rolled off the line in March, 1960 but I believe Edwin is right, there is no reclining lever on stock Roadsters like there is on my 1964 Coupe. However, if you flip the seat back forward you will see an adjusting bolt on each side of the seat. There is about 1/2" total travel, and while I am only 5" 11" my bolts are adjusted at the high end and I'm fine. Try running yours halfway in on each side to lower the increase the seat back angle and then experiment from there. Good luck!

Barry Werling
356 Fan
Posts: 2
Joined: Sat Oct 23, 2010 9:20 am

Re: 1960 Roadster seats.

#4 Post by Barry Werling »

Thank you all for the help on my 1960 roadster seat questions. much appreciated. Barry Werling

Bill Cooper
356 Fan
Posts: 65
Joined: Wed Nov 30, 2016 1:58 pm

Re: 1960 Roadster seats.

#5 Post by Bill Cooper »

The Boomerang seats were standard on the Roadsters and the predecessor Convertible "D" s also, a perceived upgrade from the Speedster seats, at least the backrest angle could be adjusted, albeit manually. They were more economical than the full recliners on the coupes and cabs.

My Roadster, model year 1960 (the November, 1993 issued COA did not specify the month of manufacture) had reclining seats shown among the 7 options listed.
Bill Cooper
1956 356A Outlaw-"Smokey"
1960BT5 Roadster-"Max"
1963 BT6 Sunroof-"Fritz"
1965 912 Euro Sunroof
1977 911S-"Annie"
1970 ISO Rivolta LeLe
2021 Corvette C8-"Zora"

Post Reply