will I fit?
will I fit?
Author
Discussion

jon@127

Original Poster:

129 posts

256 months

Friday 18th March 2005
quotequote all
After looking at the classified pages for ages I've decided to take the plunge and go and look at a car.
I've identified the one I want and wouldn't you know it it's on the other side of the country!
Before I set out on a mamouth journey can someone answer me this question.....
I am 6ft 4in tall with long legs (33in inside leg) will I be able to get comfortable behind the wheel of a wedge?
Unfortunately I can't find any advertised locally so I can't go and test the fit.
Any help would be much appreciated.
Jon

wedg1e

27,008 posts

288 months

Friday 18th March 2005
quotequote all
If you tell us where you are, maybe someone local could pay you a visit

Peter Wheeler was quite tall (6 feet plus), he liked his cars to fit him. I don't think you'd have any trouble; the seat has quite a long travel.

jon@127

Original Poster:

129 posts

256 months

Friday 18th March 2005
quotequote all
I live in Broadstairs right at the far Eastern end of Kent. I would be happy to receive any visitors tomorrow, coffee and buscuits are available! The usual trouble is that nobody want to go to East Kent!
I'm going to see the car in Wales on Sunday!

paul gotts

4,111 posts

285 months

Friday 18th March 2005
quotequote all
I seem to recall that there were 2 different pedal box options on the Wedges. I'm about a 31 inside leg and I have the seat only about 1/3 of the way back, so you should be ok. Unfortunately, I'm in Wigmore, so not very close to you. Hopefully there'll be someone on here closer.

Good luck,

Paul

grahamw48

9,944 posts

261 months

Friday 18th March 2005
quotequote all
'Tallbloke' runs one, and he is TALL !

I'm 6'1", 33" i/leg, and fit with room to spare.

dickymint

28,364 posts

281 months

Friday 18th March 2005
quotequote all
jon@127 said:

I'm going to see the car in Wales on Sunday!


Wouldn't be a red 280i by any chance?

slb

269 posts

264 months

Friday 18th March 2005
quotequote all
I'm the same as Grahmw48 and Dickymint's 87 SEAC was great for me. Before Dickymint boght the car, a chap came to see it who was 6 foot 4 and he couldn't get his legs under the steering wheel properly. It seemed the padding was stopping the the steering column from going up to it's full extent and this wasn't a problem with a newer wedge the chap had driven.

He told me the newer wedge, say 1990 onward, with the Ford rather than BL steering column and switchgear was slightly different. Maybe the the steering column was adjustable for reach aswell as height and this made all the difference. His loss was Dickymint's gain.

The Colonel

331 posts

260 months

Friday 18th March 2005
quotequote all
You'll fit fine. Wedges like tall drivers.

One thing to note though - best to wear close fitting shoes, some of mine felt clumsey on the pedals and my feet arn't particulaly large (size 9)

Enjoy the test drive

andy390

349 posts

299 months

Friday 18th March 2005
quotequote all
Hi Jon,You're welcome to try my '88 390SE
I live near gravesend Kent. I will be in tomorrow PM
Unfortunately have got the carpets out at the mo,but will only take a second to put the seat back in
YHM
Andy

jack valiant

1,894 posts

259 months

Saturday 19th March 2005
quotequote all
Hi Jon

I also live in Gravesend happy to let you size up my 400SE say on Sunday contact me through my profile address

Chris

jon@127

Original Poster:

129 posts

256 months

Saturday 19th March 2005
quotequote all
Thanks guys this all looks very reassuring.
Andy & Chris, thank you very much for your kind offers. However, there has been a change of plan and I'm going to look today rather than Sunday so I won't have time to check your cars. From all of the other correspondance though it looks like I'll be ok so I am going to take the chance and go straight there.
I'm sure I'll be back with loads more questions if I buy the car!
Jon

dickymint

28,364 posts

281 months

Saturday 19th March 2005
quotequote all
Nice one Jon - if your anywhere near Usk, why not stop off and give us a look (if your anything like me you will buy it on sight).
And dont forget to book yourself in to BBWF

jon@127

Original Poster:

129 posts

256 months

Saturday 19th March 2005
quotequote all
I bought it! What a cracker, just like new. I started to look at the chassis outriggers, just to check, and the whole chassis is immaculate, undamaged powder coating that actually shines. At this point I abandoned the inspection and just went for a drive.
And, yes Dicky it is the 280i.
I had to look up BBWF, but now I know what it is when and where is the 2005 event. I won't be able to take my minter out if it's raining though!
Stand by for loads of questions.....

jon@127

Original Poster:

129 posts

256 months

Saturday 19th March 2005
quotequote all
By the way, I forgot to say, I only just fit. It was touch and go until I took my shoes off (trainers with big fat soles!). I'll have to drive everywhere in bare feet but that's a small price to pay.

19560

14,102 posts

281 months

Saturday 19th March 2005
quotequote all
jon@127 said:
I won't be able to take my minter out if it's raining though!

but those are the cars best able to withstand the weather - fibreglass body, plastic coated chassis. It's only sea water and de-icing salt that cause the real problems.
jon@127 said:
By the way, I forgot to say, I only just fit. It was touch and go until I took my shoes off (trainers with big fat soles!). I'll have to drive everywhere in bare feet but that's a small price to pay.

Similar for me (33.5" inside leg,) PW was about 6'8" (I remember that he's a fair bit above my brother who is 6'6.5".) Trainers are exactly as you describe. The only real alternative is to wear the sockshoe things that racing drivers wear. I usually stick to bear feet.

grahamw48

9,944 posts

261 months

Saturday 19th March 2005
quotequote all
Well done jon !

It does look a beauty.

firefox1712

1,772 posts

278 months

Sunday 20th March 2005
quotequote all
Congratulations on your purchase! I'm sure you will enjoy it greatly.

Not too sure on driving barefoot though. It may be an offence, but if not I believe the police regard doing so as not having full control of the car. Maybe there are some other views on this.

Best get some proper racing boots with thin soles!

350matt

3,865 posts

302 months

Sunday 20th March 2005
quotequote all
there are plenty of regular shoes out there which have thin soles, aren't too wide and don't cost the earth. also having the advantage of being able to use the car for regular trips not just hoonage.

Matt ( size 10s and no probs with the right shoes)

19560

14,102 posts

281 months

Sunday 20th March 2005
quotequote all
350matt said:
Matt ( size 10s and no probs with the right shoes)

OK up to size 10. lol

jack valiant

1,894 posts

259 months

Sunday 20th March 2005
quotequote all
Congrats Jon, hope you enjoy the car. You will have to swing down to Gravesend some time especially now the weather seems to improving!

Cheers

Chris