Too Tall??

[RobertMR]

Hey everyone, first time posting. I've always been a fan of the Lotus Esprit and am serioulsy considering buying an 88 or later model.

One possible problem: I am 6'7" tall and about 215 pounds. Do you think I am too tall to fit in and drive a Lotus Esprit?

[lotusse89]

RobertMR said:

Hey everyone, first time posting. I've always been a fan of the Lotus Esprit and am serioulsy considering buying an 88 or later model. One possible problem: I am 6'7" tall and about 215 pounds. Do you think I am too tall to fit in and drive a Lotus Esprit?

Well... If you remove the roof, put in a 10" steering wheel, and remove the seats... You should just fit.

I'm 6'2" 160lbs with legs of a 6'5"er and my legs are pretty jammed. I have a short torso, so I have like 3" of headroom, but other 6'3"+ people that have ridden in it have had problems with the headroom.

You can get thinner seats, and mount them closer to the floor, get the glass roof with more headroom, a small steering wheel... But I still don't know if you'll fit at 6'7". Even if you cut out the floor and lowered it with aluminum plates and re-fiberglassed it.

Travis
Vulcan Grey 89SE
www.lotuscolorado.com/vulcangrey/

[lotusespritworld]

Here's our guide on what can be done. Although I think you might just be too tall!

www.lotusespritworld.com/EOtherstuff/TallDrivers.html

kato
Lotus Esprit World

[superdave]

Hi there,

That's pushing the limits a bit. However you can still fit if you buy a later 93.5 onwards or S4 onwards then buy bucket seats. The GT3 ot V8 GT have them as standard.
The later cars have a wider tunnel and the seats lower you by approx 50mm and give approx the same extra legroom.
You could try bolting buckets straight to the floor?
Another extreme trick is that I've heard that a really tall owner once modified the floor just where the seat mounts are. This bit is slightly raised. The beauty of GRP is the he could lower his floor in the seating area.
I do know of a 6'-6" owner who fits into an S1 could you believe!!! I can't even fit into one of these and Iam only 6'-3" tall. Iam approx 224lbs but looking to shed a few pounds!!!! LOL!


Dave Walters

[BC007]

I recently purchased an Esprit Turbo and being 6'2" tall with long legs found it a struggle to fit in. I admit it nearly put me off but I've had the seat spacers removed and although it is better I still struggle for enough room. But it's a small price to pay for the experience of driving what is a fantastic machine. Go for it!

BC

[ErnestM]

As stated earlier, Robert, you probably want to look at S4 or later. Certainly you could probably fit in the V8 if you inclined the seat just right.

ErnestM

[RobertMR]

Thanks for the info everyone! A few years ago I sat in an Esprit, an early 90's model, and I was able to just barely fit, but I didn't drive it... and I know that's where my problems will be.

I will look into a 93.5 and later model.

Thanks again!

Robert