Classic sports car with decent door access
Discussion
At present I've got a 1972 Austin Sprite awaiting restoration. Last night I sat in it and realised my leg problems means not really suitable for me. Once sitting down the driving position OK but short door requires folding of legs to get in and out.
In the past I've had 3 MGB GT's and whilst they are better for access I don't want another. My dream car is a MGTC but outside my budget before even considering if I could get in and out.
So what 2 seater convertibles are "disabled friendly" ?
Somebody I know has a MX5 and let me try it out for size and whilst suitable just doesen't appeal to me. Panther Lima & Kallista look nice but Spridget doors a problem again. I suppose, with it having a chassis or sorts, I could modifiy the doors but then I'd be into BIVA territory so might as well either modify my Sprite (into a Dragonfly lookalike) -
Lima, Dragonfly & Spridget
or consider a kit car.
Any suggestions of what might suit me ? Limited budget of 25p but might be able to stretch to 30p with a bank loan - what I really means is I can only consider vehicles at the lower end of the market so Porsche Boxster, Z3 and such, whilst very nice, are beyond my means.
Thanks.
paul h
In the past I've had 3 MGB GT's and whilst they are better for access I don't want another. My dream car is a MGTC but outside my budget before even considering if I could get in and out.
So what 2 seater convertibles are "disabled friendly" ?
Somebody I know has a MX5 and let me try it out for size and whilst suitable just doesen't appeal to me. Panther Lima & Kallista look nice but Spridget doors a problem again. I suppose, with it having a chassis or sorts, I could modifiy the doors but then I'd be into BIVA territory so might as well either modify my Sprite (into a Dragonfly lookalike) -
Lima, Dragonfly & Spridget
or consider a kit car.
Any suggestions of what might suit me ? Limited budget of 25p but might be able to stretch to 30p with a bank loan - what I really means is I can only consider vehicles at the lower end of the market so Porsche Boxster, Z3 and such, whilst very nice, are beyond my means.
Thanks.
paul h
Edited by Compo_Simmonite on Monday 10th June 11:09
I had a Lima and from your comments I would imagine it wouldn't be suitable - not just the size of the doors but the running boards and interior layout might concern you.
After my other half had a bike accident and nearly lost a leg I was in a similar situation and needed a suitable car to pick her up from Stoke Mandeville. I settled on a Triumph 2000 as I was a bit pushed for time but the most suitable sportier cars were the Stag and the Scimitar GTC due to not only large doors, but also how wide they opened and the layout inside the car etc.
Best of luck finding something suitable.
After my other half had a bike accident and nearly lost a leg I was in a similar situation and needed a suitable car to pick her up from Stoke Mandeville. I settled on a Triumph 2000 as I was a bit pushed for time but the most suitable sportier cars were the Stag and the Scimitar GTC due to not only large doors, but also how wide they opened and the layout inside the car etc.
Best of luck finding something suitable.
pacoryan said:
If you like old English tat then logic would suggest a Spitfire, the doors are massive! Might be anathema to any MG fan but I'm of the "broad church" state of mind.
X1/9's have decent door length too.
BL tat does tend to make up the bulk of the affordable classic market - in this country at least and unless you're willing to go left hand drive.X1/9's have decent door length too.
If you're willing to look newer/more future classic how about Toyota MR2, Mazda RX8 or Honda S2000?
Compo_Simmonite said:
What are Jensen Healey's like ? Always liked Sunbeam Alpine (had 2 x MKIV Rapiers) but probably out of my price range. TR7 convertible might fit the bill. Is the Reliant SS1 worth considering ?
Paul H
Sunbeam Alpine has good access and long doors. More of a sports tourer than a sports car however, quite heavy, does not change direction as quickly as a spridget. Comfortable car with a quality feel, suited to sweeping A roads and dual carrigeways, with overdrive will cruise @ 80 all day long (try that in a std spridget without ear plugs)Paul H
Welcome to my world, I have a similar problem and have made the decision (several times now) that my sportscar days are over. I am tall, "slightly" overweight and have a dodgy right knee which makes getting in and out of most sportscars difficult. Some are much easier if the roof is down. One of the easiest was my Fiat Barchetta which being left-hand-drive allowed my bad leg in first.
My TR7 is nearly ok with the roof down, but a bit awkward with it up (I haven't driven it for over a year now). I don't remember my SS1 being particularly easy and the Alfa Spider had a dreadful driving position for me. I sold my last Morgan last year, as I was finding it too much hard work to get in/out, I have yet to try a new one where I believe the doors are slightly longer and at the moment can't afford another drop-head coupé which has rear hinged doors, which was easy.
My current solution is to forget the sporty bit and use my A35 soft-top instead, so how about a hotted up Morris Minor Convertible?
Just to add, I believe that while the Lima uses Midget doors, the Kallista doors are similar looking but slightly longer.
My TR7 is nearly ok with the roof down, but a bit awkward with it up (I haven't driven it for over a year now). I don't remember my SS1 being particularly easy and the Alfa Spider had a dreadful driving position for me. I sold my last Morgan last year, as I was finding it too much hard work to get in/out, I have yet to try a new one where I believe the doors are slightly longer and at the moment can't afford another drop-head coupé which has rear hinged doors, which was easy.
My current solution is to forget the sporty bit and use my A35 soft-top instead, so how about a hotted up Morris Minor Convertible?
Just to add, I believe that while the Lima uses Midget doors, the Kallista doors are similar looking but slightly longer.
Edited by FailHere on Monday 10th June 17:59
Had a Herald and Minor convertibles as well as Berkely T60 and Lomax 424. My everyday car is a Smart Fortwo (I've also got a Skoda Fabia that wife hogs, Mahindra MM540 & Peugeot Expert) and fancied a Smart Roadster but the wide sills make it too difficult for me. Unfortunatley LHD not suitable either as it's my left leg that is worse (from birth / 55 years)and needs to be kept straight otherwise the knee can easilly dislocate. I've got to sell my motorbikes seeing I can't ride them anymore as well as the Peugeot van and the Sprite to see how much I'll have to play with. In the end I might have a decent amount to spend but am reluctant to put it all into a vehicle that won't get a lot of use. There are plenty of 4/5 seater convertibles like Golf, Astra, Escort etc but I'm from a generation which aspired to a Midget or Spitfire as first car whilst drooling over a TR6. I remember looking at a genuine Frogeye for £148 and a GT6 for £80 which were px's against new S100's & S110R's at a Skoda garage. Wished you could still get such as cheap today !
Neighbour has a brother in law who uses a Morgan in mild competition and he brought it across for me to try for size. Owner has leg problem as well so the floor is dropped under pedals to create more space and comfortable once seated but getting through door with a hood up would be nightmare.
paul h
Neighbour has a brother in law who uses a Morgan in mild competition and he brought it across for me to try for size. Owner has leg problem as well so the floor is dropped under pedals to create more space and comfortable once seated but getting through door with a hood up would be nightmare.
paul h
Edited by Compo_Simmonite on Monday 10th June 18:30
My dads in a similar spot - he's 72, has Parkinson's and just had a replacement knee welded in!
Had to get rid of his '62 MGB Roadster, but can still get in / out of his XJS.
He went for something more practical over the MG: Merc SLK 350 with an AMG kit. Sounds amazing, much more refined and comfortable.
Good luck.
Gallen
Had to get rid of his '62 MGB Roadster, but can still get in / out of his XJS.
He went for something more practical over the MG: Merc SLK 350 with an AMG kit. Sounds amazing, much more refined and comfortable.
Good luck.
Gallen
My wife is a wheelchair user with very bad stiffness in the legs.
One the best classics we have had has been a TVR 350i (see my profile pic)as the doors are very long and wide opening. She also liked the way the high transmission tunnel holds you upright when cornering quickly as she has poor core stability.
One of these can be bought for not much more than a sprite.
One the best classics we have had has been a TVR 350i (see my profile pic)as the doors are very long and wide opening. She also liked the way the high transmission tunnel holds you upright when cornering quickly as she has poor core stability.
One of these can be bought for not much more than a sprite.
Edited by racingsnake on Tuesday 11th June 04:13
Actually fancy an XJS. I had a 3.4 S2 XJ6 years. The 2.9 XJ40 that I replaced it with wasn't a patch on the earlier model. AFAIK the XJS is basically the same running gear (for 6 cylinder versions) as XJ6.
1980's SL280 appeals too but probably outside my 25p budget - I could maybe afford a running project.
Paul H
1980's SL280 appeals too but probably outside my 25p budget - I could maybe afford a running project.
Paul H
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