Which other LBCs for tall guys?

Occasionally, the desire to add another, non MGB, car to the stable strikes (usually, and probably fortuitously, when I have no money, but its nice to dream). I, like many of us, cruise evilBay and other classic car sites wistfully looking at the offerings, but the cars are just pictures on the screen. Being in a relatively remote area with few classic cars around, I rarely get a chance to actually sit in one to see if, at 6'4" and 210 lbs, I can fit. A few years back, I was able to try sitting in a TR6 with its top up. My knees were crammed against the dash, my left shoulder pushed tight to the door and my head was pushing up against the top fabric. No TR6 for me. The MGB, with minor alteration of the seat rails, Fiero seats and a 14" steering wheel fits me just fine, with more leg room than my Infiniti G35 or my wife's Saab 9-5 and adequate headroom.

So ... into which other types of LBCs, if any, can those of us who are vertically (and perhaps horizontally as well) above average fit? Which can we definitely not fit? Iam assuming Loti of all types are out.

I was surprised at the room in a TR7 that I sat in a while back.

A triumph spitfire will accomodate a very tall person.

The spitfire may be alright for leg room, but I noticed the same lack of elbow room that you found with the 6. Comfort wise, everything else I've ever been in from the lbc ranks can't even come close to the 'b. I've only driven an mga once, and I was startled at how cramped I felt behind the wheel, and my big feet really had a hard time selecting one pedal at a time! I'm actually pretty comfortable in my friend's '65 midget, but I have to be careful what shoes I'm wearing or I also have trouble with it's pedals.

that's why I own a spit but have the MGB as a daily driver. Comfort and adequate performance in the MGB (now that it's fuel injected).

One of the british Classic car magazines for this month has a story of a 6'4" young fellow trying out five sports cars for fit.

I seem to recall he thought the MGB would be the best of the group.

GTs have plenty of room!

This may come as a surprise, but with a little modification to the seat mount and steering column angle, a mini can be made comfortable for a tall person!

My dad was 6'6" and 220 lbs, and he was almost as comfortable in a Mini as he was in his Jetta....

Limey Wrote:

I'm 6'4" and around 230 pounds (going up as I get older) and I fit pretty well in a Midget. A lot depends on wheither you're a long legged or long body person. If longer in the body you may have head clearance problems with the top up or in a closed car, with longer legs then it's leg room and steering wheel reach that becomes a problem. With my leg length, 34" inseam, I fit the Midget pretty well and have tons of room in a B. I can get into a Lotus Europa but can't sit in a XKE Coupe or a Pantara because of the seat back angle, go figure? If you're proportioned more like me then try a Midget. You won't be totally as comfortable as in your B, but you'll be having so much fun you won't notice. :)

I'm 6'4" and 270+ and IMHO the TR7/8 as mentioned is a good, though controversial, choice, as is a Stag. The wedge coupes have more headroom than the converts.


However, my next sports car will be a Porsche 914. They are roomy, well made, comfortable, handle great and sure to appreciate. My MGs and Mini aren't going anywhere, though.

Land Rover? It's smaller than a suburban?! lol!

I'm 6'3" 210# and fit in my B just fine.

David,
I am "only" 6'2", but more long legged than body. I had to go to a 14" wheel to get comfortable in my B. I had a TR3 prior to my B and there was plenty of room even with the gigantic stock steering wheel. I suspect the TR4 is similar because it has the same frame as the TR3, but I don't recall ever sitting in one and I don't know if the different body cut into the legroom.

Loti, Healeys, Minis, TVRs, Jag X models, etc? I love them all, the long and the short and the tall. (wasn't there a song?) and want to try them all. So many nice cars and so little time and money. I did have a Sprite in my 20's I fit in. Smallest car, reasonable fit, as were an Arnolt MG convertible and Jag 3.8S sedan (wish I still had them). Is there, or shouldn't there be, a meet where we could all try each other's cars out in a safe (to the cars and their protective owners) environment?

The magazine is Classics Monthly, March 2008.

They tested an MGB GT, a Triumph GT6, Lancia Fulvia, Fiat Spider.

The perfect fit was a Healey 3000, but beyond this guy's price range.

He is 6'6".

I wish i had the problem you guys do. I'm 5'6'' and 150 on a good day. i have to figure out how to move the seat forward b/c i can't reach the pedals

I have more room in my Mini than I do in the MGB.

Montrose Wrote:

On my 66 roadster and convertables with the old style seats I cannot put the seat all the way back and fully depress the clutch. On my 73 I shaved a few inches off the bottom of the seat cushion to get my legs under the wheel.
I am 6'3 and way too many pounds

FTD in an MGB Wrote:

FTD in an MGB Wrote:

Well obviously I'm biased but I'll through a vote in for the previously mentioned Wedge cars. If you like to go fast as well as be comfortable, the TR8s still go for cheap. Bedsides the extra elbow room, the wrap around WS on the convertible keeps the wind out of the cockpit nicely. I like having one of each.:)