6’4” etc…Anyone succeeded?
Discussion
It’s ok, I’ve done all the searches and I know the theory behind how to make myself fit in an Esprit. The key appears to be bolting the seat directly to the floor. From my POV, this doesn’t help much if I can’t test the theory before buying the car. At ‘only’ 6-4 it *should* do the trick but I have a real knack of not fitting in cars, even when people taller than me can. (Long legs and arms, broad shoulders).
Does anyone on here have a car with the seat bolted to the floor so that I can see if it will be enough? Many thanks.
Does anyone on here have a car with the seat bolted to the floor so that I can see if it will be enough? Many thanks.
I’m 6’2” and a bit, in my 2002 v8. I fit, but only just. Biggest issue isn’t height really - mine has a glass roof so gives enough headroom - might be worth looking for that option on a car to get the max space possible.
however, it’s the pedalbox that’s tight if your feet are the right size to keep a 6”4” frame upright… I have size 11 feet and find I need to wear driving boots or similar and even then it’s tight, I can’t just jump in in a pair of Nikes.
You could come take a look when it’s back together if you want - right now it’s in for a complete paint job - all panels off sanded, baked panels and full repaint. Should be back together in a month or so I hope… Then unfortunately I think I’ll have to sell it as too many projects on the go right now….
however, it’s the pedalbox that’s tight if your feet are the right size to keep a 6”4” frame upright… I have size 11 feet and find I need to wear driving boots or similar and even then it’s tight, I can’t just jump in in a pair of Nikes.
You could come take a look when it’s back together if you want - right now it’s in for a complete paint job - all panels off sanded, baked panels and full repaint. Should be back together in a month or so I hope… Then unfortunately I think I’ll have to sell it as too many projects on the go right now….
I am 6"3 and had a '90 carb Turbo. Fitted V8 seats with no spacers and took out one layer of the insulation material behind the seat carpet which makes a bit of difference. Have driven it to LeMans in relative comfort.
I now have a V8 with the standard seats. The V8 is the roomiest of all Esprit's and is much better than the carb Turbo. One of the biggest improvements I made was fitting an Elise steering wheel to it. It's so much smaller and is closer to you/further from the dash. This gives me a lot more room for my left leg which gets jammed between the original momo steering wheel and the centre console. Big improvement for taller folks.
I now have a V8 with the standard seats. The V8 is the roomiest of all Esprit's and is much better than the carb Turbo. One of the biggest improvements I made was fitting an Elise steering wheel to it. It's so much smaller and is closer to you/further from the dash. This gives me a lot more room for my left leg which gets jammed between the original momo steering wheel and the centre console. Big improvement for taller folks.
Johnston said:
I am 6"3 and had a '90 carb Turbo. Fitted V8 seats with no spacers and took out one layer of the insulation material behind the seat carpet which makes a bit of difference. Have driven it to LeMans in relative comfort.
I now have a V8 with the standard seats. The V8 is the roomiest of all Esprit's and is much better than the carb Turbo. One of the biggest improvements I made was fitting an Elise steering wheel to it. It's so much smaller and is closer to you/further from the dash. This gives me a lot more room for my left leg which gets jammed between the original momo steering wheel and the centre console. Big improvement for taller folks.
That's a good tip. Thanks mate. I now have a V8 with the standard seats. The V8 is the roomiest of all Esprit's and is much better than the carb Turbo. One of the biggest improvements I made was fitting an Elise steering wheel to it. It's so much smaller and is closer to you/further from the dash. This gives me a lot more room for my left leg which gets jammed between the original momo steering wheel and the centre console. Big improvement for taller folks.
I had an SE and there were a number of large spacers between the seat runners and the floor that could be removed.
You can also switch out the seat runners and potentially save a bit of room if you strip the drivers seat and remove some of the padding.
I’ve seen the seat runners deleted and the seats adapted to bolt straight through the floor. Custom low profile seats can be produced that can be trimmed to match the current interior, Westfield and Caterham used to sell shells (Demon Tweaks used to have a range of these also).
I’m around 6 foot and the Esprits that came around after the GM ownership period were a little more forgiving for those 6ft and over like us, Mike Kimberley, the MD at the time, was a tall guy and wanted more space himself. The cars moved more into the GT space in my opinion from the SE onwards and were really comfortable tourers as well as fast cars.
Gordon Murray is interviewed on the late brake show and mentions some of the above, also adapting or moving pedal boxes to get more space. The pedal box is cramped and if the accelerator pedal is like mine, it’s already barely more than a sliver of metal on a stalk!
Quick release steering wheels make it easier to get in and out, ultimate worse case scenario you could lower the fibreglass floor an inch or so to create a well that the seat runners could be mounted in (had a kit car once with this done that was built by a 6ft 4 guy) and this worked really well.
Finally, the glass roof on some models allows for a little more space than the fhc, and adds to the feeling of general lightness.
Opened it allows another good couple of inches at the top.
You can also switch out the seat runners and potentially save a bit of room if you strip the drivers seat and remove some of the padding.
I’ve seen the seat runners deleted and the seats adapted to bolt straight through the floor. Custom low profile seats can be produced that can be trimmed to match the current interior, Westfield and Caterham used to sell shells (Demon Tweaks used to have a range of these also).
I’m around 6 foot and the Esprits that came around after the GM ownership period were a little more forgiving for those 6ft and over like us, Mike Kimberley, the MD at the time, was a tall guy and wanted more space himself. The cars moved more into the GT space in my opinion from the SE onwards and were really comfortable tourers as well as fast cars.
Gordon Murray is interviewed on the late brake show and mentions some of the above, also adapting or moving pedal boxes to get more space. The pedal box is cramped and if the accelerator pedal is like mine, it’s already barely more than a sliver of metal on a stalk!
Quick release steering wheels make it easier to get in and out, ultimate worse case scenario you could lower the fibreglass floor an inch or so to create a well that the seat runners could be mounted in (had a kit car once with this done that was built by a 6ft 4 guy) and this worked really well.
Finally, the glass roof on some models allows for a little more space than the fhc, and adds to the feeling of general lightness.
Opened it allows another good couple of inches at the top.
Had a V8 Gt few years ago. it had the SE seats so wider than the buckets.
Sold it partly due to lack of space. I am 6`3"
I had the glass roof and bolted the seat to the floor.
That made it ok. However it was the fact that the seat just didnt go back far enough caused the most greif.
The angle of my right leg was the main problem. The side of my foot would sit on the throttle and my knee was pressed up against the door. It wasnt too long before it was painful. No more than and 1 - 2 hours and I had to get out.
The door is well back also so there is a knack to getting in. Bad backs and dodgy hips need special care.
When I sat in the car with just my socks on and slid my feet under and behind the pedals it was perfect.
However dispite it all I would buy another as long as I could get in and out. I am now 10+ years older.
The only way is to try. My first test drive I thought "I cant drive this" but in a different car it was better.
If you really want one as I did you will buy one regardless.
Sold it partly due to lack of space. I am 6`3"
I had the glass roof and bolted the seat to the floor.
That made it ok. However it was the fact that the seat just didnt go back far enough caused the most greif.
The angle of my right leg was the main problem. The side of my foot would sit on the throttle and my knee was pressed up against the door. It wasnt too long before it was painful. No more than and 1 - 2 hours and I had to get out.
The door is well back also so there is a knack to getting in. Bad backs and dodgy hips need special care.
When I sat in the car with just my socks on and slid my feet under and behind the pedals it was perfect.
However dispite it all I would buy another as long as I could get in and out. I am now 10+ years older.
The only way is to try. My first test drive I thought "I cant drive this" but in a different car it was better.
If you really want one as I did you will buy one regardless.
Edited by Neil E 99 on Tuesday 7th February 22:56
Edited by Neil E 99 on Tuesday 7th February 22:57
Gassing Station | Esprit | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff