A question for the taller RF drivers

dwe8922 · 05-22-05, 01:56 PM

I'd like to get some feedback from some of the taller owners, as to how well I'd fit in a GT40 (with a helmet on) I'm tall, and I had to
solid mount a sparco 1 piece seat to fit comfortably
with a helmet in the 993--the seating position is
very upright though. My height is 6' 2 1/4" standing
barefoot, on a hard surface. Sitting 90 degrees to a wall, from the
floot to the top of my head measures 37 3/4". From
the wall to the bottom of my foot measures 45 1/2".

I know that the floors are all 1" lower than they used to be, and that some people go with the Gurney bubble option. For those who did, did you ever worry about having your head above the level of the roll cage in the event of a roll over?

There aren't any finished RF's near me, but I did find 2 CAV owners on the forum who were kind enough to let me come look at their cars and how I fit. I'll make those trips in the next few weeks. I'm assuming that the RF and CAV will be pretty similar, atleast dimension wise.

Thanks!
David

Hershal Byrd · 05-25-05, 01:08 PM

Dave,
Why don't you give me a call or better yet, fly out hear to Phoenix. I'll pick you up at the airport, put you up for a few days and you can drive my GT. Mine doesn't have the dropped floor but I have had a few 6'3" guys in my car and they were fine. But you need to drive one to know for sure so come on out. The airfares are cheap and it's worth the price when you are buying a car like this.

Hersh [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

dwe8922 · 05-25-05, 06:51 PM

Hi Hershal,
That's a very kind offer and I may just take you up on it. I've learned quite a bit about the cars since I first talked to you on the phone. I've scoured the forum, talked with your partner Jerry, and a few owners, and have been having fun researching this project (its a great release from my daily grind). Everyone seems really excited about these cars and willing to help, and each person has contributed something unique. That is pretty cool. I'll give you a call later this week.

David

Mitch D · 05-25-05, 07:47 PM

David, see if you can get someone to measure and post the seating angle for the RF. Your measurement against a 90deg wall is only telling you part of the story. I'm 5 ft 11-1/2 and when Hersh let me sit in an RF at Knotts last month, I found there to be quite a lot of headroom - more than I thought probably due to the extreme seating angle. Better yet - do as Hersh says and drop by Phx. I'm waiting for my RF now (hopefully late 2005 or early 2006), and had never seen one in person before buying, but when I got in the in the RF at Knotts any anxiety I had was replaced with sheer delight. I couldn't wipe the smile off my face for the rest of the day. If you're on the fence about purchase, I bet you buy one right after seeing it in person.

Mitch D

Hershal Byrd · 05-25-05, 10:42 PM

Mitch,
Thank you for the kind words. The word is getting out about the well designed cockpit in the RF cars. I just luv it when new customers ride in my car or any other RF GT. They see right then how the car is a Quality GT.It's more roomy and it handles like a true sports car should.
I know I sound like a commercial but i don't know any other way to express how good this car is sorted. My RF GT is 4yrs old and it is as good as the first day I drove it, maybe better.
If you don't like people staring at you then don't buy this car cause all you get is waves and thumps up. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]
David, you call and I'll be glad to set up a time you can come and visit. I'll talk your ears off about cars. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]
Mitch. You are also welcome to come out and give the GT a try. I think it's worth the drive for you.

Hersh [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

Dan Weilacher · 05-26-05, 12:34 AM

Hey Hersh, If I may chime in,,, If a customer wanted , would RF build a frame without the dropped floor any more ? Reason I ask , is if a person is taller in the leg department than the upper body they would have more leg room with a standard floor , and better center ground clearance on the car. This happens because the seats "shift" forward about a inch when the floor is 1 inch lower. I am 6ft and will have plenty of clearance even with a helmet on with the 1 inch drop in my car. I will be a bit tight to the pedals and am having to shorten my pushrods a little . This is with a 32 inch inseam . regards, Dan ,,,Hope this helps someone [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif[/img]

Hershal Byrd · 05-26-05, 01:21 AM

Dan,
I don't know but I hope Robert will Chime in and answer that. Not positive but the new style pedal boxes sit further back which allow for more leg room.

Hersh [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

Robert Logan · 05-26-05, 03:01 AM

Dan, et all,

The reason we dropped the floor was to improve the under car air flow. The SIDE advantage was that taller drivers could fit into the car and that the driving position was much better. Your steering wheel was at chest height and therefore you could use those muscles when driving and not your tummey muscles.

If you want a higher driving position than place spacers under the seat frames.

I supose I will have to kill all who read this as I have given up one of our secrets.

Best wishes,

Robert

ChrisL · 05-26-05, 11:24 AM

David,
I'm 6'3 and have the standard floor. I fit quite comfortably without a helmet using the standard seats but its very tight with a helmet. When I need to go racing, I use a specially prepared race seat that results in my backside being just 1/2 inch above the floor. This allows my helmet to sit well below the top of roll-bar which is within race regulation requirements here in Australia. I wouldn't consider using the race seat for long trips, but its fine for the track. Swaping seats is relatively easy.

dwe8922 · 05-27-05, 12:06 AM

Chris,
That's comforting to know. If you get a chance the next time you put in your racing seat I'd love to see a picture. I have a sparco that I made a special bracket for, and it too is about 1/2" off the floor. I know the seats like what I have won't fit; maybe the shoulder support area is too wide?

ChrisL · 05-27-05, 12:51 PM

David,

I'm currently doing some engine repairs so the seats and all are out of the car at the moment. Hopefully they will be back in by the end of the weekend so I will take some pics for you then.

Incidentally, I spent a little time investigating the various dimensions of various race seats and finally decided on RF's own race seat (the name-brand seats were all too wide at the hips). I too fabricated my own brackets so that I could get it to sit lower.