Will I fit in a Taimar?
Discussion
Hello all,
I am thinking of moving into the TVR fold from Lotus, currently have an Esprit S1. I'm considering a Taimar but have concerns over getting in and out, the door apertures look a bit slim. I'm 6'2" and long in the leg. Unfortunately I can't just go and try one for size as the nearest one is probably about 600 miles away, if not more. The Esprit is pretty good as the door apertures are wide which offsets against the car being low. Can some let me know if they think I am going to have issues. I know Wheeler was a tall guy so that's a positive but I think I read somewhere that the LHS foot-well space was a little tighter than than the RHS due to the contour of the chassis. Thanks for the help.
I am thinking of moving into the TVR fold from Lotus, currently have an Esprit S1. I'm considering a Taimar but have concerns over getting in and out, the door apertures look a bit slim. I'm 6'2" and long in the leg. Unfortunately I can't just go and try one for size as the nearest one is probably about 600 miles away, if not more. The Esprit is pretty good as the door apertures are wide which offsets against the car being low. Can some let me know if they think I am going to have issues. I know Wheeler was a tall guy so that's a positive but I think I read somewhere that the LHS foot-well space was a little tighter than than the RHS due to the contour of the chassis. Thanks for the help.
Ian is spot on there and Peter liked them so much he bought the company although some might question the word Bought 
I really don't see that there should be any issue you may need to alter the peddle Box for leg room and remove the two wooden packers under the seat and fit the lower one on the side that the bigger one was on to gain some head room and avoid having the seat with brand new foam as once used for a few years it does drop some and if replaced can raise the driving position somewhat hence why I have not changed the seat foam on my 3000s.
most people seem to mess around a bit with the seats and packers on them to get it right for them I had a 3000s here last year which I sold and before I did any work on her removed 2 2.5by 2.5 inch timber blocks that someone had put under the seats to raise it up not very elegant looked more like it was resting on logs plus it was leaning as the packers are of two different thicknesses because of the shape of the floor
I would not worry just find a nice example and Enjoy
A
I really don't see that there should be any issue you may need to alter the peddle Box for leg room and remove the two wooden packers under the seat and fit the lower one on the side that the bigger one was on to gain some head room and avoid having the seat with brand new foam as once used for a few years it does drop some and if replaced can raise the driving position somewhat hence why I have not changed the seat foam on my 3000s.
most people seem to mess around a bit with the seats and packers on them to get it right for them I had a 3000s here last year which I sold and before I did any work on her removed 2 2.5by 2.5 inch timber blocks that someone had put under the seats to raise it up not very elegant looked more like it was resting on logs plus it was leaning as the packers are of two different thicknesses because of the shape of the floor
I would not worry just find a nice example and Enjoy
A
Thanks chaps, appreciate all the info. I knew PW drove the Taimars prior to taking control of the company, thus my reference. Now mastering the technique for entering and exiting is something I can do, remember I have an Esprit S1. As long as once I'm there I can be comfortable I'm happy. I had a 280i S2 before the Esprit so know I can fit in that fine but I have grown a bit tired of the straight line folded paper designs. I would love a Griffith but it's a no go here in the US. So i think the Taimar offers the best possibilities. Again, appreciate the input.
I am pushing 6'3" and also long in leg, Getting in and out is not a problem once you have sussed a comfortable strategy. Plenty of head room although I have also left in the original foam. The problem comes for me with the steering wheel. If I am to do a tight turn, my hands would come round and jam on my knees allowing no more turn, this is rectified by adapting to part your knees on approaching a turn! A smaller diameter wheel would help greatly, in fact I WILL be fitting a 13" to overcome this. Another slight niggle is on long motorway journeys your clutch pressing leg is in an uncomfortable position being held just short of the pedal. Again this can be rectified by (when appropriate) stretching your leg beyond the pedal to give it a break, or avoiding motorways and shifting through the gears enjoyably on back roads!
Top and bottom of it is you will fit, or easily find a way to make yourself fit.
Top and bottom of it is you will fit, or easily find a way to make yourself fit.
The Esprit S1 is actually the roomiest of all the Esprits, which 99% of people don't know. All to do with the design of the seats. From the S3 on they had adjustable backs and a different type track. I don't fit in a Stevens Turbo or the G Turbo and barely fit in a V8 with the late design dash, which is meant to be have the best interior space.
My S1 is a great car....to look at!. Someone said the S1 is all about the looks. It suffers from the engineering being dictated by the body design. This is what makes the car so collectible, is pure to the designer's pen. The downside is that it requires constant mechanical attention which is fine but can become tedious when you are forced to work in inches of space and I mean inches. It handles wonderfully and is extremely rewarding to drive, just as what is expected of a Lotus.
I have always been more inclined to TVR, as a kid growing up in the UK it's what I always wanted. Lotus was second. I purchased the 280 S2 and that left a bad taste in my mouth. It was, well crap. The build quality was more than just suspect and the chassis welding .......???. Just a bad vehicle all round. So I sold it quick and went the Lotus route. Now I have the done that itch and want to go back and try TVR again. My taste is more for the curvie design now, hence the attraction to the Taimar. I also like old school engineering and prefer carbs over injection. One of the reasons I like my Esprit so much - twin carb twin cam.
My S1 is a great car....to look at!. Someone said the S1 is all about the looks. It suffers from the engineering being dictated by the body design. This is what makes the car so collectible, is pure to the designer's pen. The downside is that it requires constant mechanical attention which is fine but can become tedious when you are forced to work in inches of space and I mean inches. It handles wonderfully and is extremely rewarding to drive, just as what is expected of a Lotus.
I have always been more inclined to TVR, as a kid growing up in the UK it's what I always wanted. Lotus was second. I purchased the 280 S2 and that left a bad taste in my mouth. It was, well crap. The build quality was more than just suspect and the chassis welding .......???. Just a bad vehicle all round. So I sold it quick and went the Lotus route. Now I have the done that itch and want to go back and try TVR again. My taste is more for the curvie design now, hence the attraction to the Taimar. I also like old school engineering and prefer carbs over injection. One of the reasons I like my Esprit so much - twin carb twin cam.
GBinUSA said:
The Esprit S1 is actually the roomiest of all the Esprits, which 99% of people don't know. All to do with the design of the seats. From the S3 on they had adjustable backs and a different type track. I don't fit in a Stevens Turbo or the G Turbo and barely fit in a V8 with the late design dash, which is meant to be have the best interior space.
My S1 is a great car....to look at!. Someone said the S1 is all about the looks. It suffers from the engineering being dictated by the body design. This is what makes the car so collectible, is pure to the designer's pen. The downside is that it requires constant mechanical attention which is fine but can become tedious when you are forced to work in inches of space and I mean inches. It handles wonderfully and is extremely rewarding to drive, just as what is expected of a Lotus.
I have always been more inclined to TVR, as a kid growing up in the UK it's what I always wanted. Lotus was second. I purchased the 280 S2 and that left a bad taste in my mouth. It was, well crap. The build quality was more than just suspect and the chassis welding .......???. Just a bad vehicle all round. So I sold it quick and went the Lotus route. Now I have the done that itch and want to go back and try TVR again. My taste is more for the curvie design now, hence the attraction to the Taimar. I also like old school engineering and prefer carbs over injection. One of the reasons I like my Esprit so much - twin carb twin cam.
Rather interested seeing what say about the later cars ie the early Peter Wheeler cars I heared someone say that only last week where they said that the cars built in Trevors time but mostly Martins time when better built and designed than the later early post 80s cars obviously I cant comment myself as never owned on but looking at some of the pictures of projects on the wedge forum I do have to wonder.My S1 is a great car....to look at!. Someone said the S1 is all about the looks. It suffers from the engineering being dictated by the body design. This is what makes the car so collectible, is pure to the designer's pen. The downside is that it requires constant mechanical attention which is fine but can become tedious when you are forced to work in inches of space and I mean inches. It handles wonderfully and is extremely rewarding to drive, just as what is expected of a Lotus.
I have always been more inclined to TVR, as a kid growing up in the UK it's what I always wanted. Lotus was second. I purchased the 280 S2 and that left a bad taste in my mouth. It was, well crap. The build quality was more than just suspect and the chassis welding .......???. Just a bad vehicle all round. So I sold it quick and went the Lotus route. Now I have the done that itch and want to go back and try TVR again. My taste is more for the curvie design now, hence the attraction to the Taimar. I also like old school engineering and prefer carbs over injection. One of the reasons I like my Esprit so much - twin carb twin cam.
GBinUSA said:
David,
Thanks for the welcome and appreciate the offer. Unfortunately I am about 1800 miles from you, home is Rapid City SD. I assume your the Gent that has the silver RHD S currently on Craigs List?.
I bet there are some great driving roads in the Black Hills and Badlands! Yes, the S on Craigslist is my last project car, she's a beauty!Thanks for the welcome and appreciate the offer. Unfortunately I am about 1800 miles from you, home is Rapid City SD. I assume your the Gent that has the silver RHD S currently on Craigs List?.
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