Please help - Tall Guy Question

[Zixxer]

I've been looking at various Corvettes and this would be my first since I've only owned Z28s, IROCs, and Trans Ams....about 20 years ago....anyways, I've got the bug to get a Corvette so I'm really interested on feedback on the best fit, literally, the best fit.

I'm 6' 5", about 255.

I looked at a 1996 Corvette which seems to fit ok, about a half inch to an inch of clearance with the seat all the way back....doable and certainly know I'll have to live with a little discomfort but I've learned to shave foam and various other tricks.

So the salesperson suggests I try a new C6 type Corvette since it's bigger.....so I compare the specs and sure enough it should have more headroom, greater shoulder room, etc. I sit in the car and I feel like they reducing everything. It was much smaller and there's no chance of owning one of those. I went home and researched the specs and according to everything the C6 should be roomier.

So here's my concern. I really like the 82 Collectors Edition but I can't find one locally to just get a feel for the fit.

Any feedback for tall guys about fit in a C4 or any other particular tricks would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance. Rick

 

[*89x2*]

Welcome to the

I honestly cannot say what WILL work for you (I am only 6 ft tall) however, when my brother has driven my car (he is 6'3") he adjusts the power seat way low...

I know glass tops offer a bit more headroom than fiber tops as there is no headliner taking up space...

One guy once said, you can remove some of the mounting material below the seat and gain room - he was something like 6'8", driving an 86 :eek

Sounds like a sales ploy to get you into a "newer Vette" :eyerole

C4's are "worn" while others you sit

 

[Zixxer]

Thanks, appears to be a great site.

If I understand you, a 1982 Vette would be very snug compared to a 1995/96 model? I assume the C4s appear more narrow and would offer less room.

I'm just puzzled by the dimensions in the specification tables that clearly show I should have more room in the newer C6....oh well.

Keep the feedback coming, the more information I have the better.

 

[78SilvAnniv]

Welcome Rick!

Size is a varying issue. Two people can be the exact same height and weight but still have different problems fitting in cars. With height, variances are due to proportion:
I would feel that an equally proportionate person could easier fit in smaller cars better than a person who has a long torso (little head-room, head hits roof constantly or on road bumps) or a person who has longer legs (knees hit dash, can't adjust seat back far enough). With weight the variences are due to distribution of fat and muscle over the underlying bone structure. Everyone is different.

A solution I recently read about was where a man removed the driver's seat from the tracks and had it bolted directly to the floor. The only problem with that is you can never adjust for other drivers, it will be a strictly one-driver-car.

One other thing to consider if you are thinking of a C3 or C4 would be glass tops which will give you more head room. I have a 78 with regular solid t-tops and when I pin my hair up in a clip on top of my head, sometimes the clip will bump the top if I'm sitting up straighter to look over my shoulder. I'm 5'4", 125#.

Consider also, when looking at older vettes, if the seats have been replaced or restored...newer seats will have more 'lift' in them than crushed and comfortable older seats.
Good luck in your search!
Heidi

 

[Zixxer]

Thanks

My apologies on the model types, I think I should be saying a C3.

Basically I like the 1980 to 1982 and the 1995 and 1996 models, those appear to be the ball park I'm in but no luck in getting into the 1980s version yet.

I saw the article you mentioned on a tall guy website out of New York. I do remember my Camaros getting more comfortable as the seats broke in so I'm hoping that will offer enough room. The more I look the more I see the draw to these cars and cannot see myself in anything but Corvette now.

I'm scanning through the various forums and I can tell there's a wealth of knowledge here.

I have the same experience at my motorcycle forum (www.zx-12r.org) which serves as such a great resource.

 

[82ColEd]

Rick,
I have a 82 CE with the GlassTops and taller people than me (I'm only 5'10", 155lbs) have a bit more headroom in them than other models with the fixed tops. I agree with Heidi though, that it depends on the person's specific 'makeup' whether you fit in a car (any car) or not.
My brother in law, who is about my hight but about your weight has to adjust the telescope and tilt on my sterring wheel all the way up and in before he can get into my car. I run it usually low and straight out (all the way out) but i still have to twist into mine in a specific way. It's just a way low car..
I'd see if you can find a used car lot that has a C3 type with glass tops and see if you can fit into it.. Good luck !!
Later..
Stefan

 

[brewshill2003]

fit

Have 96 CE . Am 6' 4" 255. Fit is tight but doable. Have about 3/4 inch head room with glass top. Have not tried other top yet. There are so many seat adjustments that you can play around a little bit to get a comfotable fit. Once snugged down into the seat iam very comfortable. Keep trying till yuo find the fit . It is well worth the fun factor. Bruce

 

[Zixxer]

Thanks to all, I've started looking for a glass top for my 1996 LT1 to gain another .4"