For Sale again
Discussion
Funny old world. Tonight is my first ever visit to the Ultima forums on PH and you're talking about an advert I phoned about earlier today. I was told it was sold 8 months ago and shouldn't be up there. Maybe the listing date should say Sept 2012 rather than Sept 2013 but explains why the car's not listed on the Slough company's own website. I work nearby and was hoping to see how snug I'd find an Ultima with my 6'7" frame. I fear the answer is "too snug".
PabloF said:
Funny old world. Tonight is my first ever visit to the Ultima forums on PH and you're talking about an advert I phoned about earlier today. I was told it was sold 8 months ago and shouldn't be up there. Maybe the listing date should say Sept 2012 rather than Sept 2013 but explains why the car's not listed on the Slough company's own website. I work nearby and was hoping to see how snug I'd find an Ultima with my 6'7" frame. I fear the answer is "too snug".
The factory are producing a "mod" which puts the pedal box a few inches further into the front of the car.Sadly if your looking for a used car, then it is unlikely you will find a modded one yet, on the other hand if you were to build one I'm sure the factory could do you a mock up of the seating with the new pedal position to "try before you buy".
I would recommend you have a chat with Ted or Richard at the Factory. They are very helpful and I'm sure they could work something out for your height "problem".
Maybe the Factory will have to consider getting this special mod worked in the standard build as it looks like the following generations are getting taller...!
Maybe the Factory will have to consider getting this special mod worked in the standard build as it looks like the following generations are getting taller...!
Thanks for the comments on the height issue. I'm not sure if I'm longer in the leg (36-37" inside leg) or just long everywhere. I know a 6'8" guy with a 34" inside leg and he's definitely long in the body.
I saw mention of the new option in the Factory Part Updates topic but it's described as "Chassis redesign available for 2013 which moves the pedal box 80mm further forwards", which sounds like a used car couldn't have this fitted, and I wasn't looking to build a new one. I should have a chat with the factory.
I saw mention of the new option in the Factory Part Updates topic but it's described as "Chassis redesign available for 2013 which moves the pedal box 80mm further forwards", which sounds like a used car couldn't have this fitted, and I wasn't looking to build a new one. I should have a chat with the factory.
I phoned the factory and they advised that modifying a fully built car to extend the chassis to add the 2013 chassis mod would be well over 100 hours of work, probably more like 200 hours, so it's not really viable. They did advise that I should make sure any car I look at has the lowered floor that was standard from about 2001, to get an extra 1.5 inches headroom, and that it should have the Ultima seats that are thin and mounted as low and as far back as possible.
I then phoned Plans Motorsport near Guildford as they're the closest with a car for sale, to see if I might be able try it out for size. Fortunately the guy I spoke to (Matt, IIRC) was going to be there late last night so I popped over after work. The bottom line is: I couldn't safely drive it without mods, and even then there's no guarantee I'd be remotely comfortable driving it. Just sitting in it for a few minutes had my right leg hurting due to the contortion required to operate the brake and change into certain gears.
Matt was very helpful and spent time with me looking for potential mods to help me fit. We confirmed the car had the lowered floor and the Ultima seats and came up with the following:
- a steering wheel spacer to bring the removable Momo steering wheel closer, so my right leg wouldn't have to be so bent to go round the steering wheel and operate the pedals
- a slighter smaller steering wheel (although the Momo item in the car certainly wasn't large)
- move the gearshift back (ie towards the engine) by a few inches as my right knee was completely in the way when selecting 1st, 2nd or reverse
- make the gear lever taller with a smaller knob and not bent inwards, to get it further away from my right leg/knee
- change the pedal pivot points to use the rear-most of the 3 positions available. Not sure how much this would help.
- bigger job: move the pedal box and driver's side of the bulkhead forward a little as it looks like there's an inch or two of space in front of where the washer bottle and clutch fluid reservoir are mounted.
On the plus side, there's plenty of elbow room and my head only just brushes the roof with the door closed. I did hit my head on the roll bar when I tried moving my head to the left a couple of inches. I couldn't wear a helmet in there.
All this brought back memories of my first sports car: a mk1 Toyota MR2. I had to fit a 320mm removable steering wheel with a 20mm spacer to that car to be able to drive it and my head brushed the lip of the sunroof.
If anyone has any comments on the above mods, or other ideas for improving leg space, I'd love to hear them.
I then phoned Plans Motorsport near Guildford as they're the closest with a car for sale, to see if I might be able try it out for size. Fortunately the guy I spoke to (Matt, IIRC) was going to be there late last night so I popped over after work. The bottom line is: I couldn't safely drive it without mods, and even then there's no guarantee I'd be remotely comfortable driving it. Just sitting in it for a few minutes had my right leg hurting due to the contortion required to operate the brake and change into certain gears.
Matt was very helpful and spent time with me looking for potential mods to help me fit. We confirmed the car had the lowered floor and the Ultima seats and came up with the following:
- a steering wheel spacer to bring the removable Momo steering wheel closer, so my right leg wouldn't have to be so bent to go round the steering wheel and operate the pedals
- a slighter smaller steering wheel (although the Momo item in the car certainly wasn't large)
- move the gearshift back (ie towards the engine) by a few inches as my right knee was completely in the way when selecting 1st, 2nd or reverse
- make the gear lever taller with a smaller knob and not bent inwards, to get it further away from my right leg/knee
- change the pedal pivot points to use the rear-most of the 3 positions available. Not sure how much this would help.
- bigger job: move the pedal box and driver's side of the bulkhead forward a little as it looks like there's an inch or two of space in front of where the washer bottle and clutch fluid reservoir are mounted.
On the plus side, there's plenty of elbow room and my head only just brushes the roof with the door closed. I did hit my head on the roll bar when I tried moving my head to the left a couple of inches. I couldn't wear a helmet in there.
All this brought back memories of my first sports car: a mk1 Toyota MR2. I had to fit a 320mm removable steering wheel with a 20mm spacer to that car to be able to drive it and my head brushed the lip of the sunroof.
If anyone has any comments on the above mods, or other ideas for improving leg space, I'd love to hear them.
Get yourself down to see Steve_D at Southways. They are in Fareham and not too far from you. I know they have one or two Ultima's in the Workshop. He knows the cars better than anyone and will be able to advise how easy/difficult any mods would be. I'm suprised the guy you spoke too didn't mention a centre gear shift!!
I am not sure if the car you tried had a cover over the inside of the rear bulkhead. If you want the seat to go back as far as possible then having the area of the rear cabin bulkhead open so that the top of the seat can be moved back into that area.
I have seen cars with this area exposed. Mine is enclosed to keep noise levels in the cabin acceptable for long drives.
Good advice to go and see Southways and get the expert opinion though.
Paul
I have seen cars with this area exposed. Mine is enclosed to keep noise levels in the cabin acceptable for long drives.
Good advice to go and see Southways and get the expert opinion though.
Paul
Thanks, I'll look into Southways. Based purely on photos, I'm not sure a centre gear shift would be much of an improvement as I fear it would only transfer the problem to the other leg. But my next step is probably to try one out to see.
I don't think this one had a 'cover' but maybe you could advise me as Plans Motorspot have a large number of hi-res photos online of the example I sat in, and here's one showing the rear bulkhead, cage and seats: http://plans.smugmug.com/Other/Ultima/31782738_LLw...
I don't think this one had a 'cover' but maybe you could advise me as Plans Motorspot have a large number of hi-res photos online of the example I sat in, and here's one showing the rear bulkhead, cage and seats: http://plans.smugmug.com/Other/Ultima/31782738_LLw...
Edited by PabloF on Saturday 28th September 22:28
PabloF said:
Thanks, I'll looking into Southways. Based purely on photos, I'm not sure a centre gear shift would be much of an improvement as I fear it would only transfer the problem to the other leg. But my next step is probably to try one out to see.
I don't think this one had a 'cover' but maybe you could advise me as Plans Motorspot have a large number of hi-res photos online of the example I sat in, and here's one showing the rear bulkhead, cage and seats: http://plans.smugmug.com/Other/Ultima/31782738_LLw...
No, it doesn't have the cover so the seats should be able to go back as far as is possible.I don't think this one had a 'cover' but maybe you could advise me as Plans Motorspot have a large number of hi-res photos online of the example I sat in, and here's one showing the rear bulkhead, cage and seats: http://plans.smugmug.com/Other/Ultima/31782738_LLw...
Ever considered amputation or leg shortening???
Paul
I prefer a steering wheel closer to me anyway as it uses your shoulders to turn.. so I bolted a quick release boss between my smaller steering wheel and the crash gubbins.
easy fix and steering wheel is removable ...:0)
as far as the pedal box, Paul knows someone who might be able to help there...
Dom
easy fix and steering wheel is removable ...:0)
as far as the pedal box, Paul knows someone who might be able to help there...
Dom
Storer said:
I am not sure if the car you tried had a cover over the inside of the rear bulkhead. If you want the seat to go back as far as possible then having the area of the rear cabin bulkhead open so that the top of the seat can be moved back into that area.
I have seen cars with this area exposed. Mine is enclosed to keep noise levels in the cabin acceptable for long drives.
Good advice to go and see Southways and get the expert opinion though.
Paul
what cover Paul? mine is like the green one and I thought they all were?(learn something new every day)I have seen cars with this area exposed. Mine is enclosed to keep noise levels in the cabin acceptable for long drives.
Good advice to go and see Southways and get the expert opinion though.
Paul
V8Dom said:
Storer said:
I am not sure if the car you tried had a cover over the inside of the rear bulkhead. If you want the seat to go back as far as possible then having the area of the rear cabin bulkhead open so that the top of the seat can be moved back into that area.
I have seen cars with this area exposed. Mine is enclosed to keep noise levels in the cabin acceptable for long drives.
Good advice to go and see Southways and get the expert opinion though.
Paul
what cover Paul? mine is like the green one and I thought they all were?(learn something new every day)I have seen cars with this area exposed. Mine is enclosed to keep noise levels in the cabin acceptable for long drives.
Good advice to go and see Southways and get the expert opinion though.
Paul
This is the cover on mine and the void is full of sound deadening material
Paul
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