Tall Guy Here, Will I Fit In A Speedster???

I have been looking at a few kit cars and figure either the Speedster of the MGTD are the easiest on my budget (saving the Cobra for later ).
I have seen a few of the MG cars up close but never a Speedster. What is the chance a 6' 5" guy with a 36" inseam can fit in and drive one ? I have driven a VW bug and a bus years ago and owned a VW 411 wagon. I do know thw Karmen Ghia was a no fit due to head and shoulder room but it was a hard top.
I don't expect to drive this with the top up anyway, just a tonneau cover for bad weather when parked.
Any tall guys here own one? Any owners in Maryland I could visit for a fit check?
Thanks,
Tony Miller

Anthony,

There are several Speedster owners in Marylnd, where are you located?

Okay, just found the thread titled 6' 3". looks like I stand a chance anyway especially because I hold no hope in actually using the top other than when parked and raining.

I suspect whatever I buy will find me at the local speed shop checking out racing seats which seem to be the norm when guys my size buy Cobras too.

BTW, driving home from the beach this morning through Rehobeth Deleware took my wife and I past a high end used car dealer at the resort. In addition to the 6 different Rolls Royces and the single Ferrari were 2 Porsches, one Targa and the other what I thought was a 1955 Speedster hardtop coupe. Tag in the window simply said 1955 Speedster, all original and $16,500. Has to be a replica right? I would think the real thing worth far beyond that figure. Targa was $18,500 if anyone had the hots for one.

Tony Miller

I am in Perry Hall, just above Baltimore......not far from Phoenix actually .

Tony

Anthony, the car you mention can be either a real 356 coupe or a replica with a removable hardtop. Speedsters were only offered as a convertible model but aftermarket removable hardtops were available too.

Ricardo,
This car had a fixed top and roll up side windows. It blended in just like on the Targa next to it, not an add on top at all.

I would have thought an original to be worth far more though.

Best,
Tony

You'll be surprised at how accessible original 356 hardtops can be as compared to other brands, models, etc. Check out on Ebay. Of course, mint and/or concours models are in another league but I'm talking about your regular run of the mill cars. Although there have been some hardtop replicas (out of Mexico or Brazil if I'm not mistaken)they're very rare, at least here in the US. The best way to know is to check out the car up close and knock on it; if it's metal....you know the rest.

Anthony
Where in Rehoboth was the dealer. I'm going to be in OC MD next week and will probably get up there.
ed

Porsche did manufacture a 356 A Carrera Hardtop Cabrio for a time. Most of them had their tops removed and "re-manufactured" into soft top cabrios but some remain. They look essentially like a cab with a little removable hard top, except the top is fixed, welded and part of the body. Collectors like 'em, most people don't.

This might be the beast that you saw. Looks like a speedster from a distance, up close like a speedster/cabrio with a removable top, etc. Like describing any beast, different animal from different angles and distances.

Sometimes a mermaid, sometimes a monster . . .

Luck,

TC

Ed,
The dealer is right on Rt.1 as you bypass Rehoboth. If headed north through Dewey Beach don't go into the old town part of Rehoboth but stay left on Rt.1 past the split at Dewey. Go maybe 1 mile at best and you will see it on the right going north bound. Lots of BMW's a few Rolls, 1 Ferrari, the Speedster thing, etc.....

If I do a web search for Speedster Coupe the photos look just like this car, fixed fastback hardtop


Tony

finally answered my own question as to whether I would fit in a Speedster at 6'5" with a 36" inseam. Drove down to see a Speedster listed on eBay right now fitted with Speedster seats mounted all the way back but still on the adjustable rails.
I got into the car pretty easily and had enough room for my legs with knees slightly to the sides of the wheel (a position I am used to in every car I ever owned). Shoulders sat slightly above the door tops and my line of sight was directly into the windscreen top .

If the seat was off of the rail and directly on the floor it would be even better. Not lots of peddle room for larger feet but I did get to drive it around a while.

Guess I am hooked now and can seriously start my search for a reaonable Speedster. Love to have this one but with the 2003 Special Construction title I would have to pass Maryland emissions each year which I doubt a rebuilt bug engine would do.

Anyone know of a decent Speedster for sale?

Tony Miller

What are you looking to spend, and what are your criterea?

I like the look of both the flared fender and regular style cars so either is acceptable. Still torn between classic and racey. Don't really need high performance mods either but the one I drove this morning had a 1776c dual carburated engine and was plenty peppy for me. Prefer Speedster seats because of the fit problem over regular seats.

If it need cosmetics, interior, etc... no problem but I don't want a half finished project. Price depends on what was done to the car already. $8k to 10k would be nice but I would consider a better car as long as I didn't stray too far beyond that range.

This would be a weekend only car, not a daily driver. Pretty used to tinkering with cars as I have owned 4 vintage Land Rovers which need daily work

This mornings car needed a new windscreen, had a worn tonneau cover, speedo not working, a few scrapes and could have used some engine tunning but had it not had the title issues I would have gladly brought it home for for the $6 to 9k it will likely bring tomorrow on eBay.

Thanks,
Tony Miller heirphoto@comcast.net

Direct email on it's way to you ........ Alan M