Pathfinder Motorsports
Sponsoring Vendor
Seats are a big topic among GT40 owners, given that the car is difficult for some tall drivers to fit (hence the 'Gurney Bubble'). A further complication is when there might be multiple drivers in a race, since you don't adjust the seats but instead adjust the pedal assembly - no easy feat, especially during a pitstop. With this in mind, a forum member asked us what special/custom seating Pathfinder Motorsports offered our customers.
One solution was to eliminate the standard SPF open-cell foam rubber and replace it with a high-grade closed cell foam designed for military aviation. This can allow almost an inch or two additional head room - especially helpful if you're also wearing a helmet because the car is being raced - and still afford comfort for an extended stint on the track. We also tried our best to keep that unique GT40 mass-grommetted-seat look that has become associated with the car, and in a nod towards originality, replace the standard Alcantara with original spec black parachute cloth or Nomex.
GT40P/2091R was built by Pathfinder for endurance racing, so a versatile seating solution was important. What we designed was an aluminum frame seat with substantial side bolsters, closed-cell seat cushion, and a unique adjustment block on the back of the seat that was fitted for each driver and moved him either forward or aft, depending on his size/height. During a pit stop the block would be replaced by the relief driver prior to entering the car. This is how it looked:
We also built special seating for our street customers (including a GT40R in full race spec but with a/c). That seat also used thinner and firmer foam cushioning and an aluminum shell for strength and padded high side bolsters.
When you begin considering the purchase of a GT40 or GT40R, give some thought as to its intended use, and then weigh whether a custom seating option might be appropriate.
One solution was to eliminate the standard SPF open-cell foam rubber and replace it with a high-grade closed cell foam designed for military aviation. This can allow almost an inch or two additional head room - especially helpful if you're also wearing a helmet because the car is being raced - and still afford comfort for an extended stint on the track. We also tried our best to keep that unique GT40 mass-grommetted-seat look that has become associated with the car, and in a nod towards originality, replace the standard Alcantara with original spec black parachute cloth or Nomex.
GT40P/2091R was built by Pathfinder for endurance racing, so a versatile seating solution was important. What we designed was an aluminum frame seat with substantial side bolsters, closed-cell seat cushion, and a unique adjustment block on the back of the seat that was fitted for each driver and moved him either forward or aft, depending on his size/height. During a pit stop the block would be replaced by the relief driver prior to entering the car. This is how it looked:
We also built special seating for our street customers (including a GT40R in full race spec but with a/c). That seat also used thinner and firmer foam cushioning and an aluminum shell for strength and padded high side bolsters.
When you begin considering the purchase of a GT40 or GT40R, give some thought as to its intended use, and then weigh whether a custom seating option might be appropriate.
