After a few hours of searching, I couldn't find an answer to this question, so welcome to my first post here!

Before I get too far into planning a build, I'd like to make sure I will actually fit into the car when it's finished! At 6'3", 240 pounds I'm not a "small" guy. I figure the +442 is the obvious choice, but will it be large enough? I'm not expecting enough room to throw a party, but I'd like to be able to drive with reasonable comfort.
Thanks

Hi

One of the important things to consider as a factor is how your height is made up - i.e. ratio of leg length to back length.

I am between 6'1" and 6'2" which is 1.8m

Of that 1.8 metre, 900mm is from the very bottom of my back to the top of my head in a seated position.
When I drove the book sized locost with fairly slender seats, I was actually peering over the top of the windscreen. Hence my driving of the car with no seats.
Similar situation with leg length. Not quite enough really.
Width wasn't really a problem - I'm a fat ba***rd and actually like the fact that the car held me in place.
So...

If you can add length and height to the car, do so. Width is slightly less important but still welcome.

[Edited on 12/3/05 by zilspeed]

Forgot to add.
If you can create extra height between the bottom of the steering wheel and the floorpan, you can effectively create extra legroom by permitting a legs bent driving position if required. A couple of inches in height added to the body tub up to the base of the scuttle would help immensely in this respect.

[Edited on 12/3/05 by zilspeed]

If starting again I would add 1" to the height of the chassis.

The good thing about narrow compartments is that if they are the right width you don't need a seat with raised sides to stop side to side movement. The chassis does all that for you.

It sounds like the +442 is the best bet then. Since I know of no vehicles anywhere near me, I guess my best option will be to build the body cage, clamp a seat in place, and see how it will work. I'm sure I can get "creative" with it as needed to make it work, and I could always make the fiberglass sections taller to match as well, since I'm strongly considering doing my own fiberglass work as well.

The width isn't an issue - my butt is narrow enough to fit!

I was thinking of doing my own fiberglass as well but was worried about the nosecone shape. Its what makes or brakes the look of the car IMHO.

These guys ( http://www.championmotorcars.com/ ) sell a nose cone for $150 so i was thinking about getting one of those and widening and making it taller, that way I have the shape right.

Like you I dont have a car around here to look at so the shape would have been a geuss.

It's a toss-up until I get to that point for what route I'll take. I could probably easily modify an existing design, but I really like the look of a nosecone which is longer on top which angles back a few inches at the bottom. I've got a guy in Canada who I may have do the actual fiberglass work for me if I build the plugs. He's built fiberglass doors I've used in building trucks, and the quality has been excellent. I may just take advantage of his abilities! If I'm going to build a car for myself, I might as well make it exactly the way I want it.

The McSorley 7+442 uses a standard 26" nosecone. Lolocost do them but not on your side of the water.

I'm 6,2" and too heavy as well, 102Kg.
I drive a book chassis without any problems, but i dont have a windscreen yet so thats not a problem