Taller Driver Accomodation

[MadMaxx]

What all can be done to gain more head and leg (thigh really) room in a V8 esprit? I was discouraged when I sat in a 02 @ LCU, and barely fit. Headroom was fine, but the steering wheel was dead center between my thighs I'm more leg than torso (~6' 1.5"). The seat was all the way back also.

Is there hope? I still would love to have an esprit.. but if there is no way i'm going to fit and be able to drive it, then i'll have to go italian for my exotic kick :/

MM

[GUY JOHNSON]

How tall are you?

[MadMaxx]

I'm more leg than torso (~6' 1.5")

About 6' 1" tall. More leg than torso, as I usually clear low-roofline vehicles just fine.

Thanks
James

[rob.ellis]

Phase 1: bolt the seat to the floor, fit thinner sports seats, fit an offset steering wheel boss, fit a glass roof...?

Phase 2: take your shoes off, have a hair cut, , drive with the roof off, drive naked?

Phase 3: reconstructive surgery: lower the seat mountings on the car, have your legs shortened.

[MadMaxx]

LOL! Sew my feet to my knees eh?

Headroom was fine, it was just the knees that was throwing me off. The viper was the same way when I first started driving them, but I slowly got used to it over time. Driving that first 93 was very strange, but now my 96 is a dream

MM

[ErnestM]

Max...

Try this (I am 6'1" and all legs as well):

1. DON'T adjust the seat all the way to the back, leave a little room.

2. Recline the seat back using the "knob" (no jokes please) so that when you get in you are at a slightly reclined position.

This leaves you with a slight bent knee driving attitude, but that is good in the Esprit because it gives you more precise control over the clutch.

Cheers
ErnestM

PS: I think I will add this to the FAQ's for this forum because it has come up before, so everyone - post your responses

[superdave]

What all can be done to gain more head and leg (thigh really) room in a V8 esprit? I was discouraged when I sat in a 02 @ LCU, and barely fit. Headroom was fine, but the steering wheel was dead center between my thighs I'm more leg than torso (~6' 1.5"). The seat was all the way back also.

Is there hope? I still would love to have an esprit.. but if there is no way i'm going to fit and be able to drive it, then i'll have to go italian for my exotic kick :/

MM

Iam 6'-3" and had the same problem on my 1990 Turbo. I have slightly modified my seat carriers on the rear. I also when refitting my seat put the rear spacer washers onto the front and then put a wafer washer on the rear. This meant that the front has gone up by about 9-10mm and the rear has gone down by the same amount. Also you need to play around with the adjustments on the seat. Iam thinking of modifying the clutch pedal as this appears to be higher than the others.
I have heard of modifying the floor with a GRP kit but a bit drastic

[espritnutdean]

MadMaxx,

I am also (6' 1) and I am all legs. My pedal box is even closer than the v8's (88 my). My girlfriend says I look like a cricket when I drive ( cricket or not, I'm having fun! ) Ernest is right, don't put the seat all the way back and recline the lean back a bit farther back, it took me a while to figure it out but this is the most comfortable position for us knuckle draggers. Way worth the squeeze!

Cheers,
Dino

[rob.ellis]

MadMaxx said: Driving that first 93 was very strange, but now my 96 is a dream

Maxx - i think the centre tunnel was thinner on later cars, not sure when it changed, but you may find this gives you some more room for your legs.

cheers
Rob

[dictys]

Simple, replace your V8SE Seats with the seats from the GTV8 or GT3 or Sport 300, I'm 6ft 3" with short back long legs and I can't drive a standard V8 but the others fitted with sports seats no problem.