Fitting in a wedge when your tall
Discussion
Hi all.
I am doing my research and looking round for a decent Wedge.
My original "hello" thread was removed by PH due to inappropriate wording.
Anyway I have looked at a few, one a really lovely example. However I am 6'3" size 12 trotters and no lightweight.
I was suprised and a little bit upset when I couldnt just jump in a Wedge and drive it.
I am aware I was not wearing the correct slimmer footwear just usual trainers but there really is not much room between the pedals is there. The seat needs to go back a little more for me to be comfortable.
I come from Esprit V8GT ownership and dispite small pedals, being mid engined it had more room for my feet / legs.
The main problem is the left leg against the bell housing tunnel.
So how tall are you and if your near my height do you fit ok or is it short journeys only.?
Are there any simple easy mods to enable me to fit.?
Amputation of the foot is not an option.
All advice be very welcome.Thankyou.
Neil
I am doing my research and looking round for a decent Wedge.
My original "hello" thread was removed by PH due to inappropriate wording.
Anyway I have looked at a few, one a really lovely example. However I am 6'3" size 12 trotters and no lightweight.
I was suprised and a little bit upset when I couldnt just jump in a Wedge and drive it.
I am aware I was not wearing the correct slimmer footwear just usual trainers but there really is not much room between the pedals is there. The seat needs to go back a little more for me to be comfortable.
I come from Esprit V8GT ownership and dispite small pedals, being mid engined it had more room for my feet / legs.
The main problem is the left leg against the bell housing tunnel.
So how tall are you and if your near my height do you fit ok or is it short journeys only.?
Are there any simple easy mods to enable me to fit.?
Amputation of the foot is not an option.
All advice be very welcome.Thankyou.
Neil
I'm only 6 foot and fit in fine. I guess your leg length is more important than overall height - mine is a 32" trouser (sadly the waist is no longer 32" though!)
Ad for pedals my plates are a mere size 10 and I have no problems, even when wearing big boots. With the V8 you can rest your foot on the clutch pedal as long as you don't press it, they are so heavy there's little chance of disengaging or riding the clutch.
Ad for pedals my plates are a mere size 10 and I have no problems, even when wearing big boots. With the V8 you can rest your foot on the clutch pedal as long as you don't press it, they are so heavy there's little chance of disengaging or riding the clutch.
Wedg1e said:
Coming from an Esprit (esp. a V8), I think you might find a TVR wedge a bit of a disappointment...
There are two cars I have always loved. 1 Esprit. Juast had to have one. 2. Wedge love it as well. its not about performance. Its the shape as much as anything else. Had to sell the Esprit after 9 yrs due to house move. Budget wont buy another one now. Prices rocketed. Edited by Neil E 99 on Tuesday 6th September 22:13
adam quantrill said:
I'm only 6 foot and fit in fine. I guess your leg length is more important than overall height - mine is a 32" trouser (sadly the waist is no longer 32" though!)
Ad for pedals my plates are a mere size 10 and I have no problems, even when wearing big boots. With the V8 you can rest your foot on the clutch pedal as long as you don't press it, they are so heavy there's little chance of disengaging or riding the clutch.
Thanks Adam.Ad for pedals my plates are a mere size 10 and I have no problems, even when wearing big boots. With the V8 you can rest your foot on the clutch pedal as long as you don't press it, they are so heavy there's little chance of disengaging or riding the clutch.
34 inside leg.
Yeah the difficulty is the foot-to-arse dimension, I fit OK but have the seat right back. If the seat is forward (e.g. after the MoT) then it's quite uncomfortable to drive.
To get that extra 2" you might have to use a seat with a thinner back. The wedge ones are quite padded and fairly thick. As you like lotuses you might consider Elise seats ;^)
To get that extra 2" you might have to use a seat with a thinner back. The wedge ones are quite padded and fairly thick. As you like lotuses you might consider Elise seats ;^)
Glen is a bloody tall bugger - I'm guessing 6'3" or 6'4"? He has had a load of Wedges over the last few years and seems to fit all okay. I'm 6'1" (used to be 6'2" but on the way down!!) and I fit in both of my Wedges with ease. The 390SE has less foam in the seat swab so I sit relatively low in it compared to the 350i. My wife drove the 390 the other weekend with me following in the 350i and you couldn't see her head over the top of the folded soft top! She hated it.
Evening groovers :-)
6'6" and 17.5 stone so no shrinking violet
Top size related tips on a wedge with adjustable steering column
Remove seat runners and screw seat directly to floor (using same bolt holes) and the add a 25mm steering wheel spacer to bring the wheel away from the column
If you don't have an adjustable column do the above
Plus
Use a deep dished steering wheel
Simples :-)
6'6" and 17.5 stone so no shrinking violet
Top size related tips on a wedge with adjustable steering column
Remove seat runners and screw seat directly to floor (using same bolt holes) and the add a 25mm steering wheel spacer to bring the wheel away from the column
If you don't have an adjustable column do the above
Plus
Use a deep dished steering wheel
Simples :-)
I'm 6'2", heavy with size 11s and don't find it a problem. Peter Wheeler was 6'4" I think. What I would say is the SEAC is more roomy due to the scalloped door cards and generally later cars had Ford steering columns and switchgear which I believe gives a touch more room over the British Leylandi ones.
Interesting stuff ..... different shapes and sizes amongst us.
Me - 6' 4", 220 (ish) lbs, size 11/12 feet. 35" inside leg.
I found my early wedge (2.8) excellent for comfort, but found the later Chimps and Cerbs feel more claustrophobic because their side windows seem to curve inwards more at shoulder height. Also I remember sitting in a 350 at a show, not sure which one, but seats seemed deeper and higher, and yes, it felt noticeably smaller....
I know my (OE) driver's seat is effectively knackered, with my arse just about touching the floor, and seat set right back to touch the rear angled section. This actually works neatly for me, as my head is then lower.... I don't think I moved rails back - I have done this on other cars and kits.
I also noticed on mine, the steering column is hung with spacers and washers to clear the dash moulding, and I took a few washers out and (carefully) trimmed the moulding a bit, which raised steering wheel about 0.75 inch. Doesn't sound much, but much better on the knees ! It just (and I mean not quite) clears the 2 small gauges. Later cars had different layout and column....
So different years may well feel different, and you could possibly make some simple changes
1) does seat go back as far as it can to touch the 'back' ?
2) does seat have spacers on the seat rails ?
3) is it an OE seat ?
Me - 6' 4", 220 (ish) lbs, size 11/12 feet. 35" inside leg.
I found my early wedge (2.8) excellent for comfort, but found the later Chimps and Cerbs feel more claustrophobic because their side windows seem to curve inwards more at shoulder height. Also I remember sitting in a 350 at a show, not sure which one, but seats seemed deeper and higher, and yes, it felt noticeably smaller....
I know my (OE) driver's seat is effectively knackered, with my arse just about touching the floor, and seat set right back to touch the rear angled section. This actually works neatly for me, as my head is then lower.... I don't think I moved rails back - I have done this on other cars and kits.
I also noticed on mine, the steering column is hung with spacers and washers to clear the dash moulding, and I took a few washers out and (carefully) trimmed the moulding a bit, which raised steering wheel about 0.75 inch. Doesn't sound much, but much better on the knees ! It just (and I mean not quite) clears the 2 small gauges. Later cars had different layout and column....
So different years may well feel different, and you could possibly make some simple changes
1) does seat go back as far as it can to touch the 'back' ?
2) does seat have spacers on the seat rails ?
3) is it an OE seat ?
And just adding, we recently went to buy a new clone car, as our old Volvo finally crossed the 'uneconomic repair' boundary.
I spent a day going around the car yards and trying all sorts of models, and I couldn't fit in most of the 'small hatch' range, and even some of the medium/large ones. Reason : The new styles have more raked windscreens which crimps the headroom. (for better aerodynamics I guess).
What surprised me was that quite a few European makes were the same - I would have to have a 5 series or greater BMW for example, I couldn't get my knees under the wheel of the 3 series (except the bucket seat M330i boy racer). Similarly only the bigger Audis, Golf was ok with boy racer trim, no good otherwise. But the Mini (aka BMW) was OK.
So those little details make a BIG difference....
New Corolla was OK for fit, but a bit small overall. I got to drive a Blade (3.5V6 Corolla) and was so impressed with engine that I ended up with a Toyota Aurion, with the glorious 2GR-FE engine).
The point of this story is that the Aurion has same bodyshell and doors as the Camry, but feels a lot roomier. The only true differences are greater seat and column adjustments, and a different shaped dash....I tried an earlier type Aurion and that felt more like the Camry for size....
That's one of the reasons I like my wedge - a sports car I can fit in....
I spent a day going around the car yards and trying all sorts of models, and I couldn't fit in most of the 'small hatch' range, and even some of the medium/large ones. Reason : The new styles have more raked windscreens which crimps the headroom. (for better aerodynamics I guess).
What surprised me was that quite a few European makes were the same - I would have to have a 5 series or greater BMW for example, I couldn't get my knees under the wheel of the 3 series (except the bucket seat M330i boy racer). Similarly only the bigger Audis, Golf was ok with boy racer trim, no good otherwise. But the Mini (aka BMW) was OK.
So those little details make a BIG difference....
New Corolla was OK for fit, but a bit small overall. I got to drive a Blade (3.5V6 Corolla) and was so impressed with engine that I ended up with a Toyota Aurion, with the glorious 2GR-FE engine).
The point of this story is that the Aurion has same bodyshell and doors as the Camry, but feels a lot roomier. The only true differences are greater seat and column adjustments, and a different shaped dash....I tried an earlier type Aurion and that felt more like the Camry for size....
That's one of the reasons I like my wedge - a sports car I can fit in....
Edited by RCK974X on Wednesday 7th September 00:49
Im 6'4" and fit into mine fine, and have size 11 feet, and have driven in a variety of footwear from steel toecap boots to flip flops with no problems, although mine is of the two pedal variety, so a bit more room. Don't knock the auto's till you have tried them out, they are quite fun and go-kart like in their operation!
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