slomove Posted January 23, 2009 Share Posted January 23, 2009 linky Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mb230s Posted January 25, 2009 Share Posted January 25, 2009 How would this Birkin compare size-wise to: Caterham Caterham SV Westfield Sport Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yellowss7 Posted January 25, 2009 Share Posted January 25, 2009 I believe that the Birken and the standard Caterham S3 are the same size. The Caterham SV is wider and slightly longer. Don't know about the Westie. Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slomove Posted January 25, 2009 Author Share Posted January 25, 2009 I believe that the Birken and the standard Caterham S3 are the same size. Tom Yes, that is correct. Outside dimensions are identical to a standard Caterham, chassis and suspension are very similar to a Classic live axle. Inside the Birkin has a bit longer footwells and adjustable pedals for people with long legs. I have not seen this car and I don't know the owner. But it appears to be a very good price for this setup. You can ask all relevant questions here. Gert Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mb230s Posted January 26, 2009 Share Posted January 26, 2009 Thanks for the info. I fear the standard Caterham and Birkin are too small. The SV or possibly the Westfield Sport (which I think is bigger than the standard Caterham and close to the SV) are my best options. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slomove Posted January 27, 2009 Author Share Posted January 27, 2009 Thanks for the info. I fear the standard Caterham and Birkin are too small. Depends on your challenge Height is not really an issue (maybe except if you are over 6 1/2 feet). But over 6' you may want a lowered floor in any Se7en. I know very tall people driving a Birkin. Circumference may be a bigger problem. I guess up to a 40 jeans size you will find a comfortable seat in a standard size Seven. Beyond that I would consider a Caterham SV. Gert Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnCh Posted January 27, 2009 Share Posted January 27, 2009 The SV or possibly the Westfield Sport (which I think is bigger than the standard Caterham and close to the SV) are my best options. That's correct. The Westfield has quite a bit more shoulder and foot room than a standard 7 or Birkin, but it isn't quite as roomy as the SV. -John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
supersportsp Posted January 31, 2009 Share Posted January 31, 2009 Depends on your challenge Height is not really an issue (maybe except if you are over 6 1/2 feet). But over 6' you may want a lowered floor in any Se7en. I know very tall people driving a Birkin. Circumference may be a bigger problem. I guess up to a 40 jeans size you will find a comfortable seat in a standard size Seven. Beyond that I would consider a Caterham SV. Gert I hate to quibble, but I can't agree with your statements. Height is most definitely an issue with any classic 7 once you get beyond about 5'10". I am 6'2" with a 33" waist and a classic Seven is very snug on me. I don't see how anyone with a 40" waist is going to comfortable in a standard 7, much less be able to get in and out of it easily. The biggest issue height wise that I have found is that my legs are basically pinned up underneath the steering wheel on a classic 7. Even tiny sport wheels are tough. No room for my hands to turn the wheel more than about 1/2 turn in either direction. A lowered floor would certainly help this, but no way a 6.5' guy or someone with a 40" waist is going to be comfortable in a standard 7. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yellowss7 Posted January 31, 2009 Share Posted January 31, 2009 Supersportsp wrote: I hate to quibble, but I can't agree with your statements. Height is most definitely an issue with any classic 7 once you get beyond about 5'10". I am 6'2" with a 33" waist and a classic Seven is very snug on me. I don't see how anyone with a 40" waist is going to comfortable in a standard 7, much less be able to get in and out of it easily. Ahem. I beg to differ. I'm 6'1" and 225. I fit snuggly and comfortably in my standard sized Caterham. I have removed the seat bottom and fitted a foam pad to get a better view thru the windscreen, but I was certainly drivable without that mod. The SV is much wider and althought it is very roomy, the only thing I really like about it is the wider pedalbox. Here's two shots of me in the car. The first is driving the second is as a passenger. The Passenger seatbottom is in so you can see the headroom difference. http://usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/308285931_autox cbp 3.jpg http://usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/1633068205_autox 10 19 08 g.jpg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TonyI Posted February 1, 2009 Share Posted February 1, 2009 Couple of you guys are funny... words like comfort, fit, pedal room and looking through the windshield :rofl: 6'2" 235ish give or take 10lbs seasonal..size 13 shoe(either those Pumas or Worth Nomex) 36"ish waist sesonal(jeans) NO WALLET i'm longer in torso tan legs 33" inseam. Fit... thats what the Yukon XL is for (and it has a heater more than just the headers). Awhile back my wife saw a Westie that she likes..... but i'm not to sure...how can I keep it from barking/sneezeing in my ear if I make a small kennel for it between the rollbar rear supports...although i'm going deaf in the left ear guess it would even it out. kindof a highjack but couldn't resist cheers Tony PS Had it for 20yrs this fall its better than Jenny K or WW for a reason to not get "bigger" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davemk1 Posted February 1, 2009 Share Posted February 1, 2009 FWIW I'm 6'4" and 185lbs and I fit in the Birkin very well..... now. I did have to make some changes to get myself to fit but they were pretty simple. My guess is if you are 6'2" or below you'd drop right in even with the stock seats. Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S1Steve Posted February 1, 2009 Share Posted February 1, 2009 I have sat in Tom's car,and at 6'3" and ,well 241, I fit OK. I have a buddy close by with Cat, and fit in his Ok also. I went for the Caddy 7, a Superformance S1. More room, wider pedal box and more weight than a Caterham. You have to remember what 7 is, I had a hard time fitting in a early Lotus 7, that was what I looked at first. Looking forward to the LOG, Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MHKflyer52 Posted February 1, 2009 Share Posted February 1, 2009 FWIW I'm 6'4" and 185lbs and I fit in the Birkin very well..... now. I did have to make some changes to get myself to fit but they were pretty simple. My guess is if you are 6'2" or below you'd drop right in even with the stock seats. Dave Well I an 6'2.5" and 228lbs with a 38" waist and I fit very nicely in my car. I have had a couple of people stare when I do get in and I just tell them that it is part of the restraint system to help keep you from sliding around when taking cornors as fast as one can take.:rofl: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjv2744 Posted February 2, 2009 Share Posted February 2, 2009 I have the westfield and I am 6ft1 and 240lbs 40 X 32 pants if that helps I can fit in the westie and in fact drove mine from Oregon when I picked it up to TX any questions on the westie I would or I am sure throttlesteer will be gald to help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnCh Posted February 2, 2009 Share Posted February 2, 2009 I am sure throttlesteer will be gald to help. I think that's me Supersportsp, the offer still stands to come by some weekend and try my car on for size. Although you'll find the Westfield noticeably roomier than a Caterham S3 or Birkin, you should still fit in the latter cars just fine, particularly if you opt for the lowered floor. It's amazing what the body will adjust to after a little familiarity. Kind of like driving a car with bottom hinged pedals - at first they just seem wrong, but after a while you don’t even notice it. -John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjv2744 Posted February 2, 2009 Share Posted February 2, 2009 I think that's me Supersportsp, the offer still stands to come by some weekend and try my car on for size. Although you'll find the Westfield noticeably roomier than a Caterham S3 or Birkin, you should still fit in the latter cars just fine, particularly if you opt for the lowered floor. It's amazing what the body will adjust to after a little familiarity. Kind of like driving a car with bottom hinged pedals - at first they just seem wrong, but after a while you don’t even notice it. -John Sorry I was thinking of your website:d Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spotcheck Posted February 2, 2009 Share Posted February 2, 2009 Not an owner, but was close....so very close. Then the economy slapped me silly, but I'll be back. Anyway - Test drove an SV in Dallas (now owned by Athens7). Also sat in a Classic with bench seats and in an R400 with composite race seats (at Grand Prix Imports south of Portland OR). 6'3" 230# 11-1/2 shoes. Rookie Impressions: SV - perfect fit Classic + Bench seats - had to leave wallet and normal dress shoes outside the car. I fit, but would not think I would be happy after 30 minutes. R400 + composite seats - no wallet, no shoes - about the same, but the seat was not something I was used to and was set forward for a smaller driver, so wasn't really sure how I liked it. I felt that with the proper shoes, the pedal box would not be a problem - tight fit, but not a problem. The knees didn't fit all that well (compared to BMW 5), but tolerable. It was the butt-width. Last - Jeff Sloan, owner of Brit Auto in Dallas (teriffic guy, IMO), is not far off my size, and he races authentic 7s, and just JUMPS in and out of them - practice, practice, practice. I assume that I am right in that range where you can wear whatever you make up your mind you want to wear. Smaller - no problem. Bigger - well.......... When I get there, it will be in an SV-size. WCM, Stalker, Westy - need to try them out, but would want that little bit of comfort. Personal opinion, not an evaluation or criticism. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slomove Posted February 3, 2009 Author Share Posted February 3, 2009 ............Jeff Sloan, owner of Brit Auto in Dallas (teriffic guy, IMO), is not far off my size, and he races authentic 7s, and just JUMPS in and out of them - practice, practice, practice.......... Good point. I slide in and out of the driver's seat in no time and don't even remove the steering wheel anymore. On the few occasions when I am in the passenger seat the whole exercise becomes a bit awkward, takes much longer and feels less comfortable to sit in. Same with the feet, when I got the car the footwell space felt extremely tight even with narrow driving shoes. Nowadays I have the dance motions figured out that I can even drive with regular sneakers if need be. So I guess it is indeed a matter of practice and getting used to. Gert Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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