Relatively tall newbie (6'3") buying a speedster

A VW pan based Speedster will have less foot room too.  A tube based frame Speedster has more interior room (on either side of the seats too and often a lower center tunnel).  Yes, the pans can be cut out to allow the seats to be lowered maybe up to 3" max.  Many use a 15" (or even 16" banjo) steering wheel.  I'd recommend 14" one or even 13.5".

Too bad more manufacturers don't do Cabriolets or Convertible Ds.

I was lucky enough to find a pre-owned SAW Cabriolet.  I'm 6'2 and very long-waisted (stubby short legs), and I have plenty of headroom with the top up.

Another simple modification is to add a few washers as spacers under the two front seat mounting bolts.  This tilts the seat back a bit and can help make a difference.

Troy Sloan posted:

Another simple modification is to add a few washers as spacers under the two front seat mounting bolts.  This tilts the seat back a bit and can help make a difference.

hmmm... i like it.... a quick solution that's worth a try that wont break the bank or embarrass me for my lack of body work knowledge.

@BETTYLU356Speedster

Brian, for visual reference, here are a few pics of a modification to lower the seats in a pan-based Speedster. It is a seat pan that puts the seat mounting 2" lower than stock.

I've done the " 2.5" deep paint roller pan" floor on two speedster projects, It's not that difficult and costs less than $100 in materials if you can weld it yourself.

MusbJim posted:

@BETTYLU356Speedster

Brian, for visual reference, here are a few pics of a modification to lower the seats in a pan-based Speedster. It is a seat pan that puts the seat mounting 2" lower than stock.

@musbjim Yeah! I've seen you post this in a similar post. And I definitely want to do this using speedster seats... Hoping to add head room with the top up... I also sport a high pompadour (any rockabilly cats in the house?) More room up top wont ruin the hair do .

@Alan Merklin I unfortunately don't have any knowledge, tools or space to do it myself. Hoping that this is a mod that VMC is familiar with.

Anyone around the LA area have this done on their Speedster? Would love to have a seat in it.

Brian

Jim, thanks for showing us that post.  First time I see it.

Brian,

I am 6'1" and fit comfortably... I can fit you to the car with a seat mod and floor mod , you are more then welcome to stop by the shop for some test fitting.

Greg

www.vintagemotorcarsinc.com

VSpyder posted:

Brian,

I am 6'1" and fit comfortably... I can fit you to the car with a seat mod and floor mod , you are more then welcome to stop by the shop for some test fitting.

 

 

Greg

www.vintagemotorcarsinc.com

... And as a newbie... This response from @VSpyder is the reason it's so easy to say "I'm going with VMC." 

Thanks so much Greg... You guys are only open weekdays right? I'm trying to find time during the week to make that visit. Can't wait to see your cars in person.

Brain,

I can do Saturdays by appointment.

Greg

ScarletSpeedster posted:

VSpyder posted:

Brian,

I am 6'1" and fit comfortably... I can fit you to the car with a seat mod and floor mod , you are more then welcome to stop by the shop for some test fitting.

 

 

Greg

www.vintagemotorcarsinc.com

... And as a newbie... This response from @ VSPYDER is the reason it's so easy to say "I'm going with VMC." 

Thanks so much Greg... You guys are only open weekdays right? I'm trying to find time during the week to make that visit. Can't wait to see your cars in person.

I detected a bit of a cough and a raspiness to your voice when I read your last post. You also sounded congested. I think you may have to stay home from work so as not to infect your co-workers.

I would like to be driving behind any of the Fresno Autobahn crew if they or Terry had installed this in Penny.  It might explain why he wrote his famous tome 1000 and one uses for Preparation H.  Unfortunately it was a hot seller and I believe it is now out of print.

"@musbjim Yeah! I've seen you post this in a similar post. And I definitely want to do this using speedster seats... Hoping to add head room with the top up... I also sport a high pompadour (any rockabilly cats in the house?) More room up top wont ruin the hair do." 

Brian, my wife and & are big fans of Brian Setzer and Lee Rocker and have seen them both at several concerts.  @BETTYLU356Speedster

There are two versions of the top - high bow and low bow.  Maybe a high bow top would help.

Brian. I recently purchased my speedster from Arizona vantage speedsters and I am 6'3". I asked Justin to make modifications so I could fit. Don't know specificly what he did but I fit just fine with the classic bucket seats. Note:  I could not fit into the nice cushioned seats he offered in his showroom Car.  He indicated he could not make modifications for the cushioned seats for me to fit. 

Michael McKelvey posted:

There are two versions of the top - high bow and low bow.  Maybe a high bow top would help.

Hmmm... Interesting. Any photos on how these look? I'll also try googling it myself.

Newbie Danny Nipomo Ca. ('18 VS Az) posted:

Brian. I recently purchased my speedster from Arizona vantage speedsters and I am 6'3". I asked Justin to make modifications so I could fit. Don't know specificly what he did but I fit just fine with the classic bucket seats. Note:  I could not fit into the nice cushioned seats he offered in his showroom Car.  He indicated he could not make modifications for the cushioned seats for me to fit. 

That's great! If I'm not mistaken VMC is in the former VS facility using its former employees. So I'm hoping the specs and measurements transferred over. Do you fit fine with top up as well? Do you have a pic with top up?

Brian

P.S. your ivory speedster and interior is BEAUTIFUL!!! 

I don't have any photos.  I think maybe Beck uses the high bow top.  Perhaps @Lane Anderson can comment on this.

ScarletSpeedster posted:

Newbie Danny Nipomo Ca. ('18 VS Az) posted:

Brian. I recently purchased my speedster from Arizona vantage speedsters and I am 6'3". I asked Justin to make modifications so I could fit. Don't know specificly what he did but I fit just fine with the classic bucket seats. Note:  I could not fit into the nice cushioned seats he offered in his showroom Car.  He indicated he could not make modifications for the cushioned seats for me to fit. 

That's great! If I'm not mistaken VMC is in the former VS facility using its former employees. So I'm hoping the specs and measurements transferred over. Do you fit fine with top up as well? Do you have a pic with top up?

Brian

P.S. your ivory speedster and interior is BEAUTIFUL!!! 

Car on the left has a high bow and the car on the right has a low bow:

Michael McKelvey posted:

I don't have any photos.  I think maybe Beck uses the high bow top.  Perhaps @Lane Anderson can comment on this.

Yep, the Beck top is a high bow.

All this time I thought you were talking about the new protocol for Meaghan Markle,  Low bow, or high bow, front head tilt .

In fear of over populating the forums and repeating a previous topic , I thought I'd ask my question here:

Intermecanicca, I've read some things about ample leg/head room in their speedsters... To the tall folk who have driven in both VS/VMC and IM speedsters, how does it compare? 

You will be fine?

@Marty Grzynkowicz hahaha... That's how I feel now in regular cars. I'm doomed.

Anyone in the los Angeles area own a recently built IM? Would love to sit in it and feel the advertised "comfort for people over 6-feet tall" cockpit.

For leg room you need to look at tube frame Speedster --- no VW pan based.  A Beck is like having a living room vs a pan based. Get a new IM D/Cabriolet and its a living room with cathedral ceiling.

WOLFGANG posted:

For leg room you need to look at tube frame Speedster --- no VW pan based.  A Beck is like having a living room vs a pan based. Get a new IM D/Cabriolet and its a living room with cathedral ceiling.

Haha!! This has to be the best feedback reply I've gotten here to date. Your comparisons are hilarious... But provide some great perspective.

Now the question to myself is "is that extra space worth that extra 20k?"... Ooooweee... And the madness continues...

Thanks again @WOLFGANG

I know the answer to that question as it applies to me, but you need to sit in both to answer it for yourself.

ScarletSpeedster posted:

@Marty Grzynkowicz hahaha... That's how I feel now in regular cars. I'm doomed.

Anyone in the los Angeles area own a recently built IM? Would love to sit in it and feel the advertised "comfort for people over 6-feet tall" cockpit.

@Rusty S Is in Dana Point and might be able to help.

@I'm Les is in Capistrano and might be able to help.

and @IMDoug will be in San Luis Obispo June 7th, 8th, and 9th would probably let you look at his car from afar. Just kidding, he'd let you check it out.

Hey Brian, I've driven or sat in pretty much every make. I'm only 5'10" and, pretty much, normally proportioned with a 32" inseam. With a Vintage or JPS you sit up in the car. Minor adjustments can be made by tilting the seat back, removing the seat rails or dropping the seat portion of the pan. You can gain a few inches that way which is usually enough for most people.

Beck has a wider interior platform which makes it roomier and, again, the seating are can be modified to accommodate most driver's.

Intermeccanicas...every one that I have driven or sat in has been slightly different to accommodate the driver it was built for but you sit in an Intermeccanica. You are enveloped by the car. The belt line of the car is above your shoulder. In the case of @Stan Galat's IM it's a whole 'nother story. Stan is built, as he says, like a gorilla. Long arms, long torso, short legs (for his size). That is the hardest fit for a car as small as a speedster. When I sit in the driver's seat of Stan's car I'm transported back in time to when I was a little shaver sitting behind the wheel of my Dad's Cadillac. I can't see over the dashboard of Stan's car. The lower half of my face is blocked by the door. There's no way I would be able to drive it but it fits the owner perfectly.

My point is that everyone is different, some cars are more different than others. Every car can be modified to a point but sometimes you have to spend the big bucks if you're built like Stan.

IM also makes mods to drive the seat further back and deeper and to allow the seat to recline even more 

if fits Orangutangs and daddy long legs.  All with the roadster top up or down but down allows giraffes as well

I should have mentioned that the taller torsos are the more challenging to fit

Terry Nuckels posted:

Stan is built, as he says, like a gorilla. Long arms, long torso, short legs (for his size). 

I resemble that. 

The best thing to do is be 5'-7" and normal-proportioned, say 150 pounds. I say just call your surgeon & stop mucking up all these beautiful cars!

Is anyone planning to go to this? 

@BETTYLU356Speedster - I am now you posted that.

edsnova posted:

The best thing to do is be 5'-7" and normal-proportioned, say 150 pounds. I say just call your surgeon & stop mucking up all these beautiful cars!

What is normal ? 

Well, today in the USA for dudes over 20 it's about 5-9 and 197 pounds: 40-inch waist; pear shaped. But in 1957 it was more like 5-8 and 165. Thirty-two-inch waist. So by "normal-proportioned" I was meaning "period-correct for 1957."

You know I'm all about those period-correct details.

Apparently, I am a man of the late 1950's living in the new millennium.......

I just have to work on that height thing a bit more.....Like a couple of inches.   But then, I'm already "underweight"!