105 series giulia headroom?

[fergus]

Although the obvious answer is "go sit in one", can anyone give me a rough clue as to how large the interior of a 105 series giulia is please?

I'm around 6'5", but manage to squeeze into a Caterham S3 OK. My main concern is headroom, rather than legroom.

Do the cars vary in their internal spec (with respect to headroom) over the years at all? Is anyone aware of any modifications that could be done assuming it will be a (very) tight fit in a 'standard' car?

Are there any tall 105 owners on PH, i.e. over 6'?

[braddo]

I reckon you might well fit but I suspect you would need a nice low racing bucket or similar. Then your bigger issue might be legroom because these cars have the classic gorilla driving position. Again, it's not insurmountable with steering wheel spacers and maybe a remote gearchange (which people have installed in Giulia race cars).

You will have to avoid cars with a sunroof - my car had a webasto that robbed about an inch but that was only a problem when wearing a helmet (I'm 6ft). There was also more headroom before the seats got re-upholstered! Due to seat wear, you may get differing impressions in different cars of how much headroom there is.

[velocemitch]

As Braddo says, I expect your main problem would be leg room. They tend to suit people with long Arms and short Legs (which apparently is the Italian shape???), so your Legs have to splay arroud the Steering Wheel and then your Knee will likely as not contact the end of the end of door release handle on certain Cars (it hurts!).

Rear vision will be compromised too as your view will be blocked by the rear roof line, especially if the Car has the typical nose up, rear down attitude of the fast Road set ups.

I'd really recommend you try one for size first before you commit.

Perhaps a Giulia Super or Berlina might work better?

[arguti]

I am 6 foot and find it comfy yet have had mates who own Alfetta GTV6s who find the 105 very uncomfortable mainly related to limited legroom, you really need to try one for size .

Where are you based as a number of 105s here in Worcestershire !

[jamieandthemagic]

My missus is 6'1" she has no problem,

But it depends where your height is, ie my missus is ok, but she's very long in the leg, and same height as me in the torso 5'10"

I'd say its do-able, but go try one.

[fergus]

Tried a LHD and RHD car, and both were fine in terms of headroom. The driving position felt less offset in the LHD car. However, in the absence of a steering wheel boss to move the wheel 50mm closer to me, with the std wood rimmed wheel (380mm) and floor hinged pedals, it did feel a little cramped. The wheel could be replaced with an (even) deeper dished version on top of a spacer. I think this would solve the problem. The seat wasn't fully back on the runners.

Does anyone have any price guidelines on clean unrestored cars with no rust/rot?

[jamieandthemagic]

Expect to pay between 7-14k for a straight rot free, not concours condition one, needing either re-commissioning or work to keep going road bound.

Very very roughly

[velocemitch]

The driving position is offset on the RHD cars, at least the pedals are. It's related to the location of the chassis rail as the master cylinders for clutch and brake are mounted to it, one each side.

Also rather oddly the transmission tunnel is offset 25mm closer to the RH side then the Left, so the passenger gets 50mm more room than the driver in a right hooker.

You can buy spacers for most of the aftermarket Steering Wheels so that shouldn't be an issue.

Jamie is about right with the prices, though you will need to pay a fair bit more for a really nice one these days. This one for instance is stunning, it really is untouched from new, but I guess the colour is an acquired taste.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Alfa-Romeo-2000gtv-berto...

[Elderly]

fergus said:

The wheel could be replaced with an (even) deeper dished version on top of a spacer. I think this would solve the problem. ?

With a spacer and a deeper dished wheel, will you be able to reach the indicators and headlight switch which will remain in their original positions on the steering column?

[velocemitch]

Just take your hand off the wheel, and reach a little further, doubt it will be an issue.

Also the standard wheels became deeper with the introduction of the 2000GTV, so earlier cars have stalks which are closer to the seat by about 25mm.