seating for V.Short people...

I am a 'newbie' - been lurking around for quite some time getting as much info as possible. Finally found a used VS that I want and also finally got the wife interested enough to travel up to see Kirk and the 'process'. Problem: she is 4'10" tall(?) and with the thin type seats she does not even touch the pedals. Kirk said he can build one that would fit her using the thicker seats and adjusting the track and even the column length to make it shorter, allowing her to sit closer. Problem is, I would prefer to get a used one - must be realistic with the cash - or lack of it - and so comes the question: does anybody on the board know how to retrofit a large adjustment to the existing seats in the VS 2005 speedster. Thanks for any help.
Grant

Hope you aren't 6'5"! The seats in my CMC have about 5" of travel. If VS is similiar then you could move the track so its all the way forward for her and all the way back for you. You might be able to make a wood wedge for both sides of the tracks so that it raises high when foward and drops down when it all the way back. Just make sure you mount with strong bolts and big washers so they don't rip out thru the thin floor pan. You might look at the seat adjusters from a 914 since they have teeth in front that allow for cushion to be raised about 3".

Grant,

This is an easy thing to address...take the standard aftermarket seat tracks that are used most VS CMC JPS and CMC speedsters and have them lengthened by a metal fabrication shop...
The forward taper of the pan based speedster floor will also be of help as the seat is moved to a more forward position the seat will rise somewhat, you can also add a spacer under the forward two seat track mounting bolts to make it a bit higher. I think that, as long as the tracks have further forward travel there is no need to alter the steering column.
If you decide to go this route and cannot find someone to do the tracks I can easily make them longer for you.
My wife is 5'1" and handles a Corvette with minimal modifications as mentioned above.

Hey Alan & Wolfgang:
Thanks for the advice. I will look into it ASAP. This sounds like something I can handle easily. This may just translate into a new speedster for me!!!Finally!!! It is great to be able to ask for help and to get knowledgeable help. thanks again.

Yelp, The spacers are the key to the leg to hight ratio.
As the seat slides forward it rises and shorter people can fit.

Modified seat mounts ain't just for "height challenged" people. I'm 5'10" and my wife is 5'7". Not just in speedsters, but in ALL of the vehicles I've owned for the past 30 years, I leave the rear track mount as is, and raise the front of the track mount at least one inch above the floor with a metal spacer block (whatever fits). then replace the front track attaching screw with a longer screw. This modification has the advantage of bringing my short legs more vertical to the pedals, but also it gives MUCH MORE under thigh support when driving. It also moves your shoulders away from the steering wheel for more of a "straight arm" driving position, which I happen to prefer. Highly receomended for those people of short lower body, and longer upper body.

Another option 1987 Dodge Colts they used a adjustable seat track that had a simple mechanical variable height adjustment that was done by pulling back on a small handle along side of the seat. If one can be found it would be a simple donor piece to re-tro fit to a speedster seat