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Does my bum look big in this?
chrisnel - 14/6/02 at 08:02 AM

Hi all

After years of longing for a Lotus/Caterham and realising that there is no chance of getting "permission" from the "boss" to make that kind of financial outlay, I have eventually stumbled across Ron Champions book - so there is another way. I am now getting quite fired up at the thought of putting a beastie like this together myself. It's going to mean learning lots of new skills, but hey, nothing ventured nothing gained.

So having almost got down to the serious planning stage my first concern is "Will it fit me?". I am 6ft 1in tall and have been told that I wouldn't fit in one of these cars. There must be some owners out there of 6ft or more - any comments?

Thanks in advance

Chris

bob - 14/6/02 at 08:15 AM

I'm 6ft 1in as well and i fit with room to spare in the book version.
It all depends on the seat and the fitting of it,i also think you get a bit more room with floor mounted pedals too.
I also weigh 220lb as well.

Get yourself to the newark show this weekend and try one for size.

Jasper - 14/6/02 at 08:49 AM

I'm 6ft1" too, sat in a few, no problems, been sitting in my half built chassis (with the garage doors shut of course) and it seems to be fine. Go for it....

Dick Axtell - 14/6/02 at 01:06 PM

Gents,

I too have been sitting in my chassis, checking on various dimensions, seat position etc.

At 5' 10", I have approx 3.75" between feet & bulkhead, so I'm worried if there is enough space for the (top-hung) pedals. How much pedal space did you taller blokes end up with?

ChrisW - 14/6/02 at 01:50 PM

I'm 6'6 and have sat in Merlin's (book size) car with no problems. Certainly put my mind at rest because my chassis was half built already. If you're worried have a look at the McSorley 4-2-2 at www.mcsorley.net/locost

Chris

interestedparty - 14/6/02 at 02:21 PM

I'm 6'4" and have driven quite a few different cars and what I find is that people vary in their proportions as well as their height. I use to borrow a car from a guy same height as me and whenever I sat in it I had to adjust the mirrors, his legs were shorter and body longer. Do what the others say and try a few on for size.
John
PS I'm building a McSorley 442 and I've added 2 inches in the straight section as well, tubes A1,2 and N1,2. I can always move the seat forward if it turns out to be a problem.

David Jenkins - 14/6/02 at 02:30 PM

quote:
I'm 6'4" and have driven quite a few different cars and what I find is that people vary in their proportions as well as their height.


I'm 6'0", my daughter's 5'4", and we both use the same settings for seat and mirrors.

Weird!

David

Marcus - 17/6/02 at 09:47 PM

I'm 4'2", and I fit in a chassis 4in smaller than usual.
Ok I lied, but there are a lot of people building 4 in longer and 4 in wider for no reason!!
Larger people have sat in our book car and got a bit pissed 'cos they actually fit!
Marcus

chrisnel - 17/6/02 at 11:11 PM

Thanks for all the feedback. It all sounds very encouraging. Have had the green light for the project (well a greenish shade of amber at least - and that's good enough for me). So after the hols it's down to the drawing board.

I'll be back.

Chris

Colin AH - 20/6/02 at 11:37 PM

I've been thinking about buying a Tiger or a MK Indy IRS chassis. Does anyone know how the sizes differ from the book chassis, if at all? I'm also 6'6" 280lb and having done some rough calculations recon I will need around 54" of cockpit length just for me without pedals (give or take an inch or two). I did email MK a couple of weeks ago but never received a reply.