too big/too tall?

I intend to purchase a 550 Spyder (probably used) in the 9 to 12 months. A friend of mine in high school, back in 1962, owned one that had been raced at Sebring. That was the coolest car in the parking lot at Shawnee Mission North High School. My 1954 MGTF could not compete.

My question is this, I am 6 ft 2" and weigh about 215 lbs., am I going to fit in this machine? Back in high school and college I weighed around 160 to 175 lbs. I was not cramped in the MG. While in college I traded that car for a Bug Eye Sprite with a modified engine; it was a screamer and actually got around 60 miles to the gallon on an economy run we put on in college ( we had a club for foreign car enthusist ). I loved that Sprite and drove it all over the country and eventually took it with me when I moved to Hawaii.

Neither the MG or Sprite had heaters and the winters in Kansas, get pretty cold. I always thought I invented the layered look. If I drive the Spyder in cool weather I was planning on wearing a heavey leather bomber jacket that I have. Again will I fit in the seat? I could probably loose 15 to 20 lbs before I buy the car.

Once I get the car I intend to tour the back roads of America and the wide open spaces out West. I have no desire to drive the congested highways on the East and West coast or the major cities. If the traffic is worse than Kansas City, which isn't bad at all, I'm going to pass. I Just spent a year on I 95 in the Ft. Lauderdale, Miami, mad house and I don't need that daily brush with death...did that in Vietnam, tempting fate everyday has lost its appeal.

One of the first trips I want to go on would be out to Yellowstone Nationa Park. Am I crazy or what?

Actually, the VA says I am crazy and I get a check from Uncle Sam to prove it. I love it, all I can say is thank you Jeeesus!

Vaya con Dios,
Harv33
I'm really 61 and I"m having fun

Don't worry you will fit all the 550 kits are bigger inside than my RS60 (718 derivative)and unless your inside leg is in excess of 33" you will have no problems.Im the same height and weight but only have a 31" inside leg ( its my size 12 feet (46)) that are the problem

Enjoy life BUY A SPYDER

Magwa

But don't expect it to be comfortable on long journeys
See me in mine below!

Im 50yrs plus but really only '17'!!!!!!! ( inside)

Magwa

When I owned by Beck, I had to take 2" out of the bottom cushion before I felt like I fit. I'm 6'1" and weigh 220. I do quite a bit of repair and modification work to customers 550's and Speedsters and in most cases, I feel like I'm sitting to high in their cars.

Karl Dempwolf who writes here periodically has his firewall moved to the rear, he's about 6'4" tall and seems to fit OK once he's in the car.

As was mentioned above, that long of a trip may be taxing on your body but also on the engine. Most of the VW based Type 1 engines are typically 2,165 cc engines.(94mm pistons, 78mm crankshaft)

Most of them seem to run on the warm side due to inadequate cooling. This is not to say that the car won't make the journey, just that you need to monitor the internal workings of the engine on a trip of that distance.
Type 1 engines started life in VW bugs etc al and were 1,584cc's. By enlarging the cylinders and pistons and installing a longer throw crankshaft, the dimensions of the engine grow. As much as I like torque and horsepower, if I were you and planned on making such a long trip, I'd probably opt for a maximum of 1,914 cc. This has basic VW engine specifications except the pistons are 94mm vs 85.5mm and it has the stock 69mm crankshaft. Along with the larger pistons, crankshafts with counterweights are available and recommended. Typically a 110 cam and dual carb's complete the engine. A good engine builder can make that engine perform great, obviously not as good as an engine with a long throw crank but very respectable. The advantage is that this engine runs many degree's cooler than the other.


Typically these engines only have a "dog house" internal oil cooler. Great add on's include an aftermarket oil sump (most have this), oil filter, multi pass oil cooler with fan, graduated oil temp and pressure gauge and a cylinder head temperature gauge, all of those would be a great investment.

An additional thought is inclement weather. If you're caught in a rain storm and install the top, it's almost impossible to get in the car if you're tall. Once in, you only have fabric side curtains and unfortunately, if you drive long enough, the floor will fill with water.

But, that's all part of the "fun"

Thanks for the comments.

Is there room for a backpack or duffel bag. I'm planning on leaving my girl friend behind and flying her out to join me if I take off on long trips.

I think I'll follow the suggestion of going with the 1914cc engine.
My schedule allows me to work 6 weeks and take 2 off. I really intend to drive the wheels off of this car for a few years or until the country runs out of gas.

Yeah - DRIVE THE WHEELS OF OF IT!!! Many of the 550's have the battery in the front compartment. If possible, move it to the engine bay. It does fit there - trust me. That frees quite a bit more space up in the front for traveling stuff. I carry a substantial tool bag, a scissor jack, some carpet to lay on, a few likely spares, my work computer and a couple of duffel bags.

The seat cushions on ours are too high (thunder ranch car, but beck seats). We just leave the seat cushion out and sit on the bare seat. When we get a bit of time, we'll have the stock cushions replaced with a thin 1 to 1.5" thick higher density foam whose length will also be much smaller than the originals. That should do quite handsomely.

If you are traveling with the 550, post your intended direction on this site, if any of us are near you be glad to help you on your adventures.

By the way, if it turns out the car doesn't fit you don't worry. You can always give it to your wife. That's what my husband did and I'm QUITE happy with the arrangement ;-)

angela

Don't overlook the watercooled spyders. I have one with the 2.0 audi/vw in line four and so far do not have the cooling/stress problems of the air-cooled. i would be happy to talk to you if this is something you may want to consider.

Harv--because "I'm planning on leaving my girlfriend behind" you will have LOTS of room in the passenger compartment for whatever you need, including a girl you might want to take with you on trips.
In addition, if you have the top and window curtains, trust me, the cold weather will be no problem.
Isn't this like Heller's Catch 22? Uncle Same sends you a check, but are you crazy to want to buy a Spyder and travel in it? Just a thought. v v

Harv--I forgot to mention that on long trips, I long for a 5th gear. Something to take the rpm's down. However, if you stay between 60-70 mph it's not too bad for 3-4 hours at a time. Also, I don't know about fitting your tall frame into a standard seat configuration. At least you won't have to wear thick soled clogs and put a pillow behind your back like I do! v