Alfa Romeo Spider Type 4
Discussion
I've always wanted to try one in left-hand drive, I did have an S3, bought on impulse without trying it first, but it was one converted to right-hand drive, by Radbourne or Bell and Colville; it was a beautiful car to look at, but the driving position crippled me. The pedals were too high and there was nowhere between the clutch and transmission tunnel for my left foot so I either had to tuck it under the pedal (not ideal) or hold it in the air above the pedal. I suppose it doesn't help that I'm a bit big and tall, with large feet it was literally a pain to drive, I know you have to suffer for style but I just couldn't get on with it.
I loaned it to a colleague for a while and to my brother for a year, in the end I realised I was never going to be happy driving it myself, so sold it. I do wonder if the driving position would be better in its original form as it's such a pretty car.
I loaned it to a colleague for a while and to my brother for a year, in the end I realised I was never going to be happy driving it myself, so sold it. I do wonder if the driving position would be better in its original form as it's such a pretty car.
FailHere said:
I've always wanted to try one in left-hand drive, I did have an S3, bought on impulse without trying it first, but it was one converted to right-hand drive, by Radbourne or Bell and Colville; it was a beautiful car to look at, but the driving position crippled me. The pedals were too high and there was nowhere between the clutch and transmission tunnel for my left foot so I either had to tuck it under the pedal (not ideal) or hold it in the air above the pedal. I suppose it doesn't help that I'm a bit big and tall, with large feet it was literally a pain to drive, I know you have to suffer for style but I just couldn't get on with it.
I loaned it to a colleague for a while and to my brother for a year, in the end I realised I was never going to be happy driving it myself, so sold it. I do wonder if the driving position would be better in its original form as it's such a pretty car.
It's no better in LHD form - I'm 6'4" with big feet and I have the same problem. I find it's worth the sacrifice though - I enjoy driving it so much. I loaned it to a colleague for a while and to my brother for a year, in the end I realised I was never going to be happy driving it myself, so sold it. I do wonder if the driving position would be better in its original form as it's such a pretty car.
Oddly I (1.86 m) find the driving position great. The later (post '73) Alfa models have more feet space because of pedal placing.
The upright seating position may be a bit awkward but after a few miles you'd feel comfy.
Even my bro who is slightly taller than me and has difficulty to find a proper seat in a 70s/80s XJS sits OK in a 70s Bertone and 80s Spider.
The upright seating position may be a bit awkward but after a few miles you'd feel comfy.
Even my bro who is slightly taller than me and has difficulty to find a proper seat in a 70s/80s XJS sits OK in a 70s Bertone and 80s Spider.
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