A tight squeeze

[gmw9666]

So as the newbie this will no doubt be the start of a tsunami of questions lol

Being a big lad (6'6") the Taimar is a tight squeeze for sure........has anyone else done the following to gain extra space in the cabin

1) Thinner classic style bucket seats? Something like = http://www.intatrimtelford.co.uk/index.php?page=sh...

2) Adding a steering wheel spacer to move wheel closer and give the knees extra space = http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/271117029202?ssPageName=...

3) in conjunction with point 2 or just by itself, replace the wheel with a smaller dished item to again give a shade more knee room = http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/160980590450?ssPageName=...

[pridaux]

Seats no but there are two wooden blocks one higher than the other remove bigger one and move smaller one to other side and add fit plate to side without wooden block about half inch gain.
Spacer No not tried but wheel yes does help a lot
Andrew

[DavidY]

In my car, a previous owner had bent all the pedals to the right, giving a effective clutch foot rest, certainly made it easier as then for most of the journey only one leg was bent!

davidy

[RCK974X]

I'm 6' 5" and am rebuilding my Vixen S3. I only just fit in it, by making sure the seat is as low as possible on its mounts, and have thinned the seat cushion as well.

Vixen-wise (and so probably for Taimar too) If you have [relatively] long legs, you can probably reweld the pedals to move them forwards a little, but there isn't a huge amount of spare room. Similarly there isn't a lot of scope the move the steering wheel up, but you could probably move it towards dash a little, although the angle of the column will then tend to make the wheel lower. A smaller steering wheel might also work ?

I did say here in another thread, that if you don't mind the Wedges instead, they seem to fit taller drivers rather better - I have a series 1 2.8, and it's very comfy to drive with no special mods at all, and it fits my shoulders better then the later 'S' series, which curve inwards faster toward the 'roof'. The square style isn't to everyone's taste though....

[Slow M]

You could always rivet your own, bespoke, aluminium seat structure, and mount it directly to the floor. Most commercially available seats still use a metal frame under the seat, which takes up another 3/4" - 1". For the seat padding, there are racing suppliers who sell energy absorbing padding, that is thinner, and distributes the load better than standard (or even higher density) upholstery foam. For comfort, you can layer this with a thin layer of softer (std. ?) foam.

At your height, every bit counts. Even if you fit, could be nice to not have your hair touching the headlining. Else, shave yer head.

Best,
B.

[gmw9666]

@ SlowM

I already have a shaved head lol

[Joho]

I put these seats into my M:
http://shop.bf-torino.com/bf-autositze/silverstone...

But I'm not sure if you gain extra space with such kind of seats.
The backrest is fix and you're sitting bent-backwards.
So you can't move the seat too much back.
You should check that before buying...

If a photo or any measurements could help you, please tell me.

Edited by Joho on Saturday 2nd March 15:22

[Hansoplast]

Hello,
Just an advise for free.
The backrest of this type of seats are to much bent backwards as stated.
My friend had them and sold them.
Another thing is the height of the back.
I am 6.2 and know all about to small seats.
Take your time and you will find the richt one for a decent price.
And the price for the sliding frame € 89 is much to hich. Standard low and simple frame are € 29.

Hans

Joho said:

I put these seats into my M:
http://shop.bf-torino.com/bf-autositze/silverstone...

But I'm not sure if you gain extra space with such kind of seats.
The backrest is fix and you're sitting bent-backwards.
So you can't move the seat too much back.
You should check that before buying...

If a photo or any measurements could help you, please tell me.

Edited by Joho on Saturday 2nd March 15:22

[RCK974X]

Slow M said:

You could always rivet your own, bespoke, aluminium seat structure, and mount it directly to the floor. <snip>

I've done that in a kit car, where I ended up effectively upholstering the floor (a cushion more or less), and bolted a piece of upholstered 12mm Plywood to the back bulkhead. It's not as difficult as it sounds. Start with good quality foam blocks, cut to required size, and then with luck you can get away with just a staple gun and glue to fasten the fabric. Aluminium 'L' angle bar would do the job as a custom frame...

[gmw9666]

Ok just taken the seats out but there are no spacers, already attached to the floor so will consider selling my seats to buy some super low profile ones.

Must have a long body as head is pushing against the roof

As an aside, in the box of parts I have 2 sets of spacers, one pair looks old and the other brand new and wrapped in black vinyl

Anyone want a pair of seats / spacers let me know

[Slow M]

Also be aware that most aftermarket seats don't fit in terms of width. Get measurements before you buy.

Did you try sitting on the bare floor, to see how much excess you have?

Best,
B.

[gmw9666]

Great suggestion to try without seat.

Had them out today to clean the interior and Without any seats with my butt on the fibreglass I've loads of room, so a thin padded and not too wide seat from these guys should make it perfect.

Just got to watch the seat back angle, nothing too reclined and some thin seat mountings and bingo

http://www.intatrimtelford.co.uk/index.php?page=sh...

[Slow M]

Nice product range!

Best,
B.

[Grantura MKI]

It fitting the seat to the floor, I will provide a little trick for you. Build the seat framing under the fibre floor and weld directly to the chassis. You will save an inch or so. Check on Europa spares on there vintage seat range.

[RCK974X]

If you don't mind a bit of new fibreglassing, you could also cut out the floor and mould a 'dent' in it for your new much lower seat... I guess the Taimar would work as it's not that different from the Vixen shell, and there's enough room in the Vixen body/chassis to do it if you choose a narrow/small seat to match.

You do probably need some good GRP experience though....

Edited by RCK974X on Tuesday 5th March 07:11

[gmw9666]

The wonders of flea bay......bagged a dished leather rimmed steering wheel and a set of tan leather mx5 seats for a bargain price. Seats need a clean but great nick and the wheel is brand new.

The seats match perfectly to the tan vinyl as well, a stroke of luck

Will send an update once it's all fitted on the space gain

Edited by gmw9666 on Wednesday 13th March 09:57

[gmw9666]

Well after alot of faffing around I have managed to get the original seats to fit vs fitting the MX5 seats.

In the end I removed the runners and bolted the seat straight to the floor using the same bolt holes so the seat is now fixed with no sliding action but sits about 1.5inches lower........it also allows the seat back to recline a little further so net net...........we have lift off........the dished steering wheel has helped but with the addition of a 1 inch spacer it will be perfect.

Now I have the MX5 seats i bought off ebay going spare.....DOH!!!!......more haste less speed next time lol

So if anyone wants them i have posted an advert in the classifieds (the colour does match perfectly the beige / tan vinyl, quite amazing really)

[Slow M]

Congratulations. Have you had a chance to enjoy the car, yet?

Best,
B.

[gmw9666]

In terms of driving enjoyment "no"........in terms of general enjoyment "yes" :-)

All starts proper with a visit from Adrian on Monday

[tuscanturner]

Just looked at my Taimar original build sheet at it was bought by a long person with mods to the pedal box and a smaller steering wheel. It doesn't say what the mods were though