MG Car Repair: 1955 mg tf seats, tonneau bar, mileage car

Question
QUESTION: I own a 1955 mg tf --all original ---no modifications.I have read that the seats are supposed to tilt forward and they appear to have a hinge at the front of the seat rails. The seats appear solid however and do not want to tilt. My original owners manual makes no mention of the seats tilting. Is there a release lever somewhere or what am I missing?

ANSWER: Hi Harry.  Yes, the seats on a TF tilt forward, and no, there is no locking mechanism.  

Are you trying to tip the backrest forward?  Each seat is in one piece, so the entire seat lifts and tips.

If it will not tip, perhaps the hinges have rusted solid.   Try a drop of thin oil on the exposed hinges, then lift the seat using the tonneau bar attached to the backrest as your handle.  It should work.    

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks for your help.I got to looking closely at the seat rails and on the end (opposite the hinge) of each rail were two short wood screws going into the floorboard.The holes on each rail are in exactly the same location , equally spaced and appear original. I removed the screws and now my seats tilt. My question now is should I replace the screws or is there any reason for the seats to tilt. My car is an extremely original low mileage car. One more question--------just like an opinion----My car has the original leather seats but they are old and have a number of cracks (especially the cushions)---the seats backs are realy pretty good for their age (flexible and no cracks).Would you replace or leave as is? Thanks for your help---much appreciated

Answer
Hi Harry.  The seats should tip, so I don't like the idea of stopping them with wood screws.  It can be useful if you have a suitcase in the back and it is wedged in.  I have had my TF for over 40 years, and the seats have never tipped when driving.

As regards the seat covers, so long as they have not split, then personally I would prefer to keep the originals.  You can buy `hide food' to make them supple again, and in the UK there is a company called `Woolies' who do a renovation kit.  It includes a cleaner, some hide food, and a special dye to restore the original colour.

Please would you sign on to www.tregister.org and check that your TF is on the T Register?  If not, please register it. Thank You.