Looking for a Seven in AZ to sit in

[Prescott]

[Prescott]

Howdy everyone, new to this form 

is there any one in AZ that has a seven I can sit it, I’m considering buying one but my concern is I’m 6’1, 280lbs, with a size 13 shoe, and sore knees. I just want to see if I can get in and out.

[Croc]

Welcome to USA7s.  You will want to try a Caterham SV with the regular S-type seats.  No Tillet or bucket seats for you.  Karl was 6'7", 300lbs and size 13/14 feet.  Seat was all the way back, he could operate the pedals in bare feet and it was a bit of a squeeze.  He ended up buying one.  I have also had a 350lb 6'2" colleague in my CSR (SV sized) on track.  Didn't help performance but he fitted!  

 

Not sure about the other brands wider chassis like Birkin XS or Stalker XL but they should have the same result.  

[Christopher smith]

Hope you can find a fit. Perhaps that Caterham can work but doubt any other real 7 model would be ok. For my series 1, my mens size 9 shoes are maximum and even my racing shoes which have a little narrower sole are marginal. For height I have a relatively thin rigid urethane seat cushion covered nicely ( thanks to my understanding wife) with red vinyl typical of Lotus practice. My cockpit width is not a good indication since I am one of the very few with a full roll cage that is internal and goes all the way to the floor with 2 side intrusion bars per SCCA recommendations back in the 1960s. Adds 80 lb, but I was not going to win anyway. So at 5'11" and 150 lb I am a tight fit. Add the width of the 1.5 inch bars and you have an idea how tight the fit would be , so maybe ok for a 180-190 lb person? Wishing you good luck.

[Christopher smith]

Sorry about my terminology. I wrote "real 7" but hope that will not offend owners of other 7s here. Some of them are probably superior in chassis and suspension design ( with decades of improvement time available) compared to my very early one although I have no experience with other manufactured 7s.  They certainly gained a few pounds but most of us did. I noted that there seems to be some stronger feeling about originality in the UK given that Caterham was licensed. Building one from scratch I assume they can sneak in an extra few inches in cockpit length and width, particularly in the critical pedal area. Anyone have better guidance for some of our bigger enthusiasts?