speedster60 Posted October 8, 2007 Share Posted October 8, 2007 I am a newbe with a question. I have never had an opportunity to sit in a 7 or any of the derivations. I am 6'4" 185lbs. Will I fit. Love this site. Thanks, Lawrence Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sporqster Posted October 8, 2007 Share Posted October 8, 2007 That depends on the 7:d A lot of homebuilt 7's (mine for instance) has a racing seat bolted in place, sized for the driver. Mine is a 'by the book' frame and there's a good 4" of space behind the driver's seat that is could be moved back without frame modifications- so it could accomidate up to 4" longer legs, I suppose if the seat were all the way back. You may also be more comfortable with a smaller steering wheel- preferrably a removable one - though I have gotten used to slipping in under my steering wheel easily without taking it off. The biggest challenge I bet you'll run into is keeping your head (particularly with helmet, if you're in to that sort of thing) under the roll bar, but that's fixed easily enough with a slightly taller roll bar. I don't know about fitting in there with rain gear installed.... I betcha someone on your coast might be willing to let you try one on - maybe even go for a ride :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boxologist Posted October 8, 2007 Share Posted October 8, 2007 u'll be thin enough to fit, but u would definitely want a taller roll bar to accomodate ur height. if u go for a caterham u may want to opt for the lower floor as well. http://www.steguisfoto.com/albums/Motorsports/NYR-Autox-5-13-2007/IMG_9483_Fixed.jpg the driver, me is 5'7". teh instructor, in the white helmet is like 6'5" and ur proportions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
speedster60 Posted October 8, 2007 Author Share Posted October 8, 2007 u'll be thin enough to fit, but u would definitely want a taller roll bar to accomodate ur height. if u go for a caterham u may want to opt for the lower floor as well. http://www.steguisfoto.com/albums/Motorsports/NYR-Autox-5-13-2007/IMG_9483_Fixed.jpg the driver, me is 5'7". teh instructor, in the white helmet is like 6'5" and ur proportions. Is your instructor an "owner"? Did he have enough leg room? I have a 36" inseam with size 12 feet. Is there enough room for heel and toe, etc? Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sean Posted October 8, 2007 Share Posted October 8, 2007 Yes, you will fit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boxologist Posted October 8, 2007 Share Posted October 8, 2007 the instructor is too damn lazy to go pro solo. nope, its my car. he just went for one ride to help leaqrn how to read cones and probably other stuff too in my first autoX. i beleive he had his biggest issures fiting around the steering wheel. i don't have the lower floor and my S type seats have some padding that moves ur legs higher. http://www.momousa.com/detail.php?category=16&group=145 may be a good wheel, and quick release will allow u to get in with much less fuss. since u are in Cali, look up California Caterham Club, and try to meet up with them at their next gathering so u can get some first hand feel and inspiration from what u want out of a se7en. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbanker Posted October 8, 2007 Share Posted October 8, 2007 Shoe size might be another issue. I wear a size 8-1/2 to 9 regular shoe but my Puma Speed cats are a size 8 US. I am not comfortable wearing a street shoe or running shoe while driving the car. The foot well in these cars are pretty small. Jack Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
homebrew Posted October 8, 2007 Share Posted October 8, 2007 Lawrence, you'll probably fit but it may be tight. I'm 6'6" and 240lbs. I met a guy at my local track who was racing a Westfield. Told him I was building a Locost and he invited to sit in his car since I had never sat in one. His car had an aluminum racing seat positioned all the way back. Never did get my butt all the way down, knees were jammed between the dash and the steering wheel and my feet were tangled in the pedals. They kept encouraging to sit all the way down. Told them if I did that they'd have to call for rescue to cut me out. Later on met a fellow Locoster in my area who had built a book sized frame, pretty much the same result. I'm under the impression that the Stalker may use a slightly larger frame. If you're into building from scratch then you can build it exactly how you want. I built my car using the McSorely +442 design. I have more than enough leg room and hip room. Hope this helps, Jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slngsht Posted October 8, 2007 Share Posted October 8, 2007 The stalker is quite roomy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SkinnyG Posted October 8, 2007 Share Posted October 8, 2007 Mine is book size, but the entire cockpit is 2-1/2" shorter. I'm 5'9" and 155lbs. I find the chassis too roomy and will build a Series 2 size chassis next. Friends who are much larger than me have a hard time with pedals, or knees and steering wheel. A Caterham SV is larger than a book chassis, and might be a good duplication for you, as is a 442. G Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
powderbrake Posted October 8, 2007 Share Posted October 8, 2007 I am a newbe with a question. I have never had an opportunity to sit in a 7 or any of the derivations. I am 6'4" 185lbs. Will I fit. Love this site. Thanks, Lawrence I STRONGLY recommend that you find some sevens to sit in, and to check to see how you fit. I felt I needed a wider car than a standard Lotus/Caterham/Birkin and I sat in soome to check the fit. There are lots of svens in California. Check Frapper maps http://www.frappr.com/usa7s You might want to check on the Yahoo Ultralite website Ultralite, and check with the Stalker group stalker. The Caterham SV model, the Ultralite and the Stalker are all a bit larger than a standard Lotus seven. Contact these folks and sit in lots of sevens to see how you fit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xflow7 Posted October 8, 2007 Share Posted October 8, 2007 I also recommend sitting in various types to see what you think. Whether you think you fit or not is going to as much a matter of your preference as it is about dimensions. Strictly dimensionally, overall height is much less important than where your height is. Too much torso height will cause roll-bar height issues, too much leg length will cause knee/steering wheel problems Also, foot size is critical. Up to a 10 or 10 1/2 you can just about drive a regular-sized Caterham around town with normal shoes provided they're not too wide. For spirited driving, however, you'll want wrestling or driving shoes for sure. Above a 10 1/2, you pretty much have to wear special shoes to drive at all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davemk1 Posted October 8, 2007 Share Posted October 8, 2007 As you've read there is no clear answer. I'm a bit over 6'4" and weigh 180. I bought my Birkin never having sat in any Seven ever before. The first time I sat in it (after it came off the truck and too late to do anything about it) I thought to myself....."oh lord, what have I done?". I didn't really fit. But I made some changes and now it fits perfectly. I ditched the stock Birkin seat (sucked anyway) and put in an Ultrashield race seat. I modified the seat a bit to get it to drop down lower and go back just a shade more. Before putting the race seat in I took out the stock seat rails and now my butt is right on the floor and pretty comfy at that. After that was done I made myself a new taller roll bar. The stock Birkin bar is pretty short. I made the new bar a full 3.5" taller than the stock bar so it's over my helmet. And lastly, after that, I had a new top made to fit over the new tall bar. Now with the new top I can roll in comfort to the races or anywhere else I want to go with little regard for the weather. And I even fit in the car with the top up and my helmet on. I very nice thing I must say for those wet autocross events. What type of Seven are you considering? Dave http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/1346459251_DSC_3695.jpghttp://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/1150602935_DSC_5646.jpg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JBH Posted October 8, 2007 Share Posted October 8, 2007 I agree, you better sit in the car you are considering buying. At 6'4", I think a Caterham SV would fit, but not the deDion unless your height is in your upper torso. I am 6'2" and 180# - on the street, I drive my 2002 Superlight without shoes (socks only) and that is pretty comfortable because I can slide my left foot under the pedals to rest. On the track, my race shoes (size 11) are good for heel/toe, but I can not slip my left foot under pedals to rest on straights. Needless to say, the foot box is very narrow with no adjustments possible. After 20 minutes or so, you really start to miss that dead pedal. I have a race seat that is really just a fiberglass shell and set all the way back so I am maxed out wrt legroom. I had the tall rollbar installed and that works well for me. http://forums.rennlist.com/upload/vir1.jpg If you can not sit in the car you are considering, try to get the seller to find someone with your height and inseam to sit in their car and operate the pedals. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drew... Posted October 9, 2007 Share Posted October 9, 2007 I am long in the torso (6' with a 31" inseam). I lowered the floors of my Caterham S 70 mm to lower the top of my head below the roll bar. Prior to lowering floors. http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/469980702_PICT0267.jpg After lowering floors. http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/111815328_PICT0386_2.jpg In this photo you can see the lowered box section to the right of the oil pan. This also pulled my line of sight down below the top frame of the windsheild while maintaining the stock cloth seats. With my size 10's the only way to fit the feet in the pedal box is with the 9.5 Puma Sport Cats - if somebody comes up with an idea for a dead pedal I would love to hear it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soareyes Posted October 9, 2007 Share Posted October 9, 2007 Hi Lawrence, I would suggest going to www.californiacaterhamclub.com and posting that you would like to sit in a local Seven. I'm sure you will get several invitations for a ride. Our local group has standard size Caterhams, an SV, and several Birkins and Locosts. Like you, I'm tall and thin (6' 3" with a 36 inch inseam and 180 pounds) and I've made modifications to my Birkin so I fit well. Hopefully, your size 12 feet are on the narrow side? I live in Victorville and you are welcome to check out my Birkin! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnCh Posted October 9, 2007 Share Posted October 9, 2007 I know Westfield owners in the in the UK who are 6’4” and have no issues, but my friend who is 6’5” and all leg doesn’t fit in my car. As for foot room, again it varies a lot by car. My size 11.5s won’t fit in a normal Caterham unless I am wearing my SpeedCats, but I can wear normal street shoes in my Westfield. I know of someone with a Caterham SV who has no problems driving his car in his size 12 street shoes. Take Stan’s advice and contact the CCC contingent. They’re a great bunch of guys who would be happy to show you their cars. -John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DBs seven Posted October 9, 2007 Share Posted October 9, 2007 Hi there We have a Westfield demonstrator that I drive on the street and track. I am 220lbs and 6ft 6ins tall.To say I have plenty of room would be an exageration but I have no problem driving the 1.5 hours to the track with or without driving shoes. I have the lowered floor and full race seats. Almost forgot , shoe size is 13. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
solder_guy Posted October 9, 2007 Share Posted October 9, 2007 I am long in the torso (6' with a 31" inseam). I lowered the floors of my Caterham S 70 mm to lower the top of my head below the roll bar. Some of us are kinda built kinda strange .. I too am "long in the torso" 5'10" and 30" inseam (short legs .. long body). So my feet fit the roomy Rotus footwell .. and my head is just under the Rotus rollbar. The Rotus is kinda like the "fat bastard" Caterham. Rob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boxologist Posted October 11, 2007 Share Posted October 11, 2007 a HA! found 'em! mod 100 mod 102 mod 103 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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