Anyone in NorCal with standard body S3 chassis?

[KnifeySpoony]

Hello all- I am a trying to decide between S3 and SV chassis for my upcoming order/build. I have read countless threads on numerous fora about the reasons for one vs the other. I am 6'1" with a 34" inseam. I have ridden (but not driven) in a CSR and fit fine (although it made my Exige feel like an F150 inside by comparison). I would prefer a narrow body car if I can fit, but I want to test fit before I commit. I would do lowered floors and the race seats which will help a lot based on my reading. Is there anyone in CA (preferable northern, as I am in the bay area), that would let me sit in their narrow body car. Even another sit in an SV would be helpful to see how much extra room there is (or not).

 

Thanks!

Tyler

[Croc]

I think waistline and not inseam will be more relevant to whether you fit in an S3 or not.

 

A couple of suggestions to send PMs from this forum.

 

DStew (Darren) has a CSR up around Sonoma way although it may still be with Beachman Racing where it was being refreshed

Sean (Sean) has an S3 around the San Francisco metro southern side

 

 

Also you have Rich Kamp up at Sonoma Raceway as a Caterham specialist who has a kit for sale currently and probably has some cars in his workshop

[kayentaskier]

My former Caterham is living in Campbell; I am not sure in Tanahashi-san is on this forum, but I can ask him if you can't find anyone else. It is a stardard S3 with race seat. It does not have lowered floors, which I would recommend you order.

Jim

 

I think waistline and not inseam will be more relevant to whether you fit in an S3 or not.

 

A couple of suggestions to send PMs from this forum.

 

DStew (Darren) has a CSR up around Sonoma way although it may still be with Beachman Racing where it was being refreshed

Sean (Sean) has an S3 around the San Francisco metro southern side

 

 

Also you have Rich Kamp up at Sonoma Raceway as a Caterham specialist who has a kit for sale currently and probably has some cars in his workshop

[BlueBDA]

Try Slonie on Instagram. Let me know if you can't find him.

[kayentaskier]

Sorry I mistyped, I should have written "... I am not sure in Taniguchi-san is on this forum, ..."

Jim

[KnifeySpoony]

I think waistline and not inseam will be more relevant to whether you fit in an S3 or not.

 

I'm pretty thin- about a 33 waist and 185lbs.

 

 

A couple of suggestions to send PMs from this forum.

 

DStew (Darren) has a CSR up around Sonoma way although it may still be with Beachman Racing where it was being refreshed

Sean (Sean) has an S3 around the San Francisco metro southern side

 

Darren gave me a ride in his CSR at thunderhill, which has stuck my mind the last few years.

 

My former Caterham is living in Campbell; I am not sure in Tanahashi-san is on this forum, but I can ask him if you can't find anyone else. It is a stardard S3 with race seat. It does not have lowered floors, which I would recommend you order.

Jim

 

I would definitely appreciate his contact info. I have a couple other leads, but more is better- especially since he has a race seat which would be what I would be getting (and what I think I will need to fit). I definitely plan on lowered floors for more steering wheel clearance to legs.

[DStew]

Tyler,

I’ll be back in SF from May 5, you’re quite welcome to come to Marin Co to check my CSR for size,

no handshakes or even fist bumps these odd times, but happy to talk Sevens anytime.

PS - are you the kind Tyler who helped me jump the line for Race Gas at Laguna a few years ago?

Cheers

DStew

[DavidL]

Tyler,

I'm in Menlo Park, and have a 1990 S3 Caterham. De Dion, with adjustable seats and the "long-cockpit" chassis (I believe they all were by 1990). You would be welcome to come and sit in it and drive it, but probably best after the shelter-in-place order is lifted. I'm shorter than you, but my wife has a 34" inseam (and stands 5'8") and she can drive it no problem. Bring your narrowest shoes!

 

MY guess is you'll fit no problem.

 

Cheers, -David

[MoPho]

If you are near Walnut Creek, you're welcome to squeeze into mine, though it has the Tillet seats

[sf4018]

I'm 6'5", 39" waist, I went with SV and lowered floor, and even that is tight!

[KnifeySpoony]

Tyler,

I’ll be back in SF from May 5, you’re quite welcome to come to Marin Co to check my CSR for size,

no handshakes or even fist bumps these odd times, but happy to talk Sevens anytime.

PS - are you the kind Tyler who helped me jump the line for Race Gas at Laguna a few years ago?

Cheers

DStew

 

Are you Darren? If so, how could I not let you cut in line after taking me for a ride in your CSR at Thill... I'm still thinking of that ride hence my need for a 7 of my own.

 

Tyler,

I'm in Menlo Park, and have a 1990 S3 Caterham. De Dion, with adjustable seats and the "long-cockpit" chassis (I believe they all were by 1990). You would be welcome to come and sit in it and drive it, but probably best after the shelter-in-place order is lifted. I'm shorter than you, but my wife has a 34" inseam (and stands 5'8") and she can drive it no problem. Bring your narrowest shoes!

 

MY guess is you'll fit no problem.

 

Cheers, -David

 

Awesome- I work in Redwood City so that's right in my hood. I will definitely take you up on the offer. PM inbound.

 

If you are near Walnut Creek, you're welcome to squeeze into mine, though it has the Tillet seats

 

I will likely take you up on your offer as well. I am planning on Tillets and lowered floor, as it seems those options will be necessary for me to fit. PM inbound.

[Kitcat]

Knifey:

 

Shoe size is also an issue, both length AND width. Wear driving shoes or be prepared to drive in your socks. You will definitely be on the tight side, assuming you fit at all. Getting in and out, esp with a fixed steering wheel, can be challenging. Stomach protrusion can be a factor as well....

 

And, imagine doing it with the top in place, or better yet, maybe one of the generous volunteers here will have the top up for you to sample?

 

Also, the lowered floors put your butt just that much closer to the pavement. Since these have about 3 &1/2" ride height+ whatever height the seat offers, there is not a lot of room to work with. The Tilets do really open up the usable room, I have had both configurations. Stock are much more comfortable, but Tilets aren't bad and are much better for track use.

 

MoPho: long time!

[Gherkin]

I'm 6'-2" and about 255lbs and drive my Birkin S3 pretty comfortably even on a 100 mile day. Standard floor with the Birkin padded "shell" style seats and fixed steering wheel. The seat is moved back as far as it will go and the pedal box is as far forward as the adjustments will allow. And yes, I need to wear my skinny shoes in order to use one pedal at a time. I do have to look through the top of the windshield frame some of the time.

 

I'm in NorCal about 30 miles east of Sacramento, if you find yourself in the area you are welcome to have a test sit.

 

Chris

[Kitcat]

Birkin, like Caterham, makes a slightly larger model called the XS (extra space) that is like the Caterham SV. Gherkin has a standard Birkin (AFAIK) and how he fits into it I do not know:at 5'9"/160 lbs I found my '09 Birkin, even with ultra-thin Caterham Tilet seats, just barely roomy enough. I don't doubt that he fits, but if you are tempted by a Bikin, which I found to be at least the equal of my Caterhams, I'd try it on for size as well.

[Gherkin]

I intentionally avoided the term "roomy"...

 

I don't track my car, for street it works for me but maybe in the more dynamic track environment it would be nice to have a bit more room.

[KnifeySpoony]

So I sat in mopho's s3 with tillett's and standard floors. I fit surprisingly well. Pedal spacing was not an issue with race shoes (I didn't test with sneakers, but I doubt they'd work with my size 12). Seat was tight but manageable. So I've decided to order a narrow body. I like the feeling of wearing the car.