Eek - will it fit in my garage!

[Chris71]

Apologies if I've asked this before, but does anyone know how wide (wing mirror to wing mirror or wherever the maximum is...) an S-Series is?

I was at my lock-up yesterday (where I intend to keep the car) and after taking my kit car out I thought I'd see if my diminutive daily driver would fit. It's only a saxo and didn't immagine having any problems, but I nearly lost a wing mirror in the process - just managed it, but would not want to do it regularly. I took a very rough measurement of the door width (with some string) and when I got back I found out it wasn't just my mal-coordination that was at fault: The garage seemed to be 1m90 wide, the minature Citroen believe it or not is listed in the owners manual as 190cm. I couldn't quite believe it was over 6ft, but a quick check with the tape measure confirmed it... 1m90.

So, can an S really be narrower than a supermini? I hope so, otherwise I'm in need of a serious rethink.

Come to mention it, if anyone with an S is doing the mid Essex convoy on Sunday and would be able to try it for size the garage is actually in Springfield (Timsons Lane)

[Podie]

Have a search it's been asked before. They're tiny really... mine lived in a rented garage for a bit and had no issues.

[Roy C]

Much narrower than modern hunchbacks.

See dimensions near bottom of page:
http://www.parkersteve.dsl.pipex.com/sparts.html

[Chris71]

Cheers guys.

Ah-ha. 1665mm. So, it's about 6" wider than the Sylva, but that would leave about 4.5" on either side of the door as I reverse in, plus an extra half a foot or so (on each side) once inside the garage.

The mirrors are on the doors aren't they (hence they'll swing out with them...) do they fold back at all?

Edited by Chris71 on Monday 7th January 10:09

[Podie]

Cars with the Citroen mirrors do fold back a little - although they are the widest point of the car, which helps.

[Chris71]

This site puts it a little wider at 1728mm,

http://www.tvrsseries.com/about/documents/specific...

Really think I'm gonna have to try driving one in before I hand any money over. I wouldn't feel happy leaving a car like that out in the rain and wouldn't want to risk putting a scratch down the side of my P&J if it turns out to be millimetrically smaller than the doorway.

[spludge]

Just put a tape across mine, 73-inches, 1855mm measured to the outside of the CX style mirrors.

K

[Chris71]

spludge said:

Just put a tape across mine, 73-inches, 1855mm measured to the outside of the CX style mirrors.

K

Thanks - that's pretty conclusive.

Hmmm, doesn't sound good. The stupid thing is I looked at a couple of lock ups and they're all that tiny. I knew I wouldn't be able to get something the size of a Lotus Excel in there, but I didn't expect problems with most strict two seaters

[spludge]

You could always notch the door frame!

[Chris71]

spludge said:

You could always notch the door frame!

Oh I'd do more than to it if I owned the bloody thing! It's rented unfortunately...

After all this am I going to have to go minimalist and buy a Westfield?

[Podie]

Chris, IIRC you're near Chelmsford. Who are you renting from..?

[Chris71]

Podie said:

Chris, IIRC you're near Chelmsford. Who are you renting from..?

I am indeed... the garage comes from Garwoods Property managment. It's in Springfield to be precise.

I tried to find one nearer (and larger!) but that was about the only garage available in Chelmsford!

[Podie]

Chris71 said:

Podie said:

Chris, IIRC you're near Chelmsford. Who are you renting from..?

I am indeed... the garage comes from Garwoods Property managment. It's in Springfield to be precise.

I tried to find one nearer (and larger!) but that was about the only garage available in Chelmsford!

You may well have the same garage I used to rent... back of Timson's Lane, near Coronation Park..? Second garage on the left..?

[Chris71]

Podie said:

Chris71 said:

Podie said:

Chris, IIRC you're near Chelmsford. Who are you renting from..?

I am indeed... the garage comes from Garwoods Property managment. It's in Springfield to be precise.

I tried to find one nearer (and larger!) but that was about the only garage available in Chelmsford!

You may well have the same garage I used to rent... back of Timson's Lane, near Coronation Park..? Second garage on the left..?

As you're looking at the door I think it's second from the right on the back row (you're pretty much facing it as you drive down the alley way), but yep, it's that block. I presume they're all the same size.

What did you park in it?

[pies]

Chris71 said:

What did you park in it?

http://www.tvrsseries.com/sowners/podie/podiess3.htm

[petclub]

Rent the one next door, cut a hole in between the two?

[Podie]

Chris71 said:

Podie said:

Chris71 said:

Podie said:

Chris, IIRC you're near Chelmsford. Who are you renting from..?

I am indeed... the garage comes from Garwoods Property managment. It's in Springfield to be precise.

I tried to find one nearer (and larger!) but that was about the only garage available in Chelmsford!

You may well have the same garage I used to rent... back of Timson's Lane, near Coronation Park..? Second garage on the left..?

As you're looking at the door I think it's second from the right on the back row (you're pretty much facing it as you drive down the alley way), but yep, it's that block. I presume they're all the same size.

What did you park in it?

All the same size. They're wider inside than the door - just watch the metal frame around bumper level.

ETA - also had a Griff in that garage.

Edited by Podie on Monday 7th January 21:35

[petclub]

Mmm, sounds like you gotta buy one now!

[Chris71]

pies said:

Chris71 said:

What did you park in it?

http://www.tvrsseries.com/sowners/podie/podiess3.htm

Fantastic! I've normally been very oppurtunist with the cars I've bought and the S is the first one where I've resolved to hunt down a specific model. I was rather dissapointed at the thought of switching to a smaller car or a bigger garage (the latter would obviously be a good thing, but you try finding one...)

What was the technique for getting in? Do the mirrors fold back? (I presume they are the widest point.) I'll try and line the place with old carpet or something.

Hmm, interesting to hear you can get a Griffith in - I believe that's what you call 'future-proof'.

Petclub - I guess you're right. No excuse now...

[Podie]

Chris71 said:

pies said:

Chris71 said:

What did you park in it?

http://www.tvrsseries.com/sowners/podie/podiess3.htm

Fantastic! I've normally been very oppurtunist with the cars I've bought and the S is the first one where I've resolved to hunt down a specific model. I was rather dissapointed at the thought of switching to a smaller car or a bigger garage (the latter would obviously be a good thing, but you try finding one...)

What was the technique for getting in? Do the mirrors fold back? (I presume they are the widest point.) I'll try and line the place with old carpet or something.

Hmm, interesting to hear you can get a Griffith in - I believe that's what you call 'future-proof'.

Petclub - I guess you're right. No excuse now...

1) Extend the near side mirror fully - that is now the widest part of the car.

2) Creep forward (remember the metal door retainers at bumper height!) till the mirror is as close as you'd dare to the door frame.

3) Drive in. Use the headlights (or tennis ball on a string) to guage where the front of the car is.

4) Lower drivers window as it gives you more room to get out.

I also installed some padding on the inside of the garage where the door opens.

HTH