| Author | Message | ||
| Craig Dewey (Craigfl)
Member Username: Craigfl Post Number: 615 Registered: 1-2001 |
Charles, We have these roof placement discussions every so often here. I'm 6'-4" and put the roof behind the seat with the inside of the roof toward the front, pins down and roof shifted slightly toward my seat. This way the seatback fits into the recess in the underside of the roof and allows the seat to be moved back fully and even reclined if you want to. I do have to pad it in spots so my seat doesn't damage the roof. This method allows me to drive the car as comfortable as it would be without carrying the top. | ||
| Paul Wehmer (Pwehmer)
Junior Member Username: Pwehmer Post Number: 165 Registered: 10-2002 |
The Ferrarichat sponsor Hill Engineering makes great spacers for the 308 steering weheel. And they give excellent service. http://www.hill-engineering.co.uk/homemain.htm I'm 6'3 and fit fine in my 328. With the top behind the seat it's a bit windy since my forehead is above the windshield header. With the top on I can recline more and not rub the roof. The steering wheel spacer was well worth it. Took a couple hours to get used to the extra reach for the turn signals. | ||
| Jay McGinnis (Almost_2_tall)
New member Username: Almost_2_tall Post Number: 9 Registered: 2-2003 |
I'm 6'9" 240 pounds. I can fit, but there isn't much room to spare with the top behind the seat. The top stays on or stays home. I'm not saying I like going on long trips with the car but I can get from point A to point B safely. | ||
| john roberts (Jr328gtb)
New member Username: Jr328gtb Post Number: 32 Registered: 5-2003 |
I am 6'3" and i fit in my 1989 GTB. It is tight, of course, but if i am looking for headroom, I drive something else. You just get used to slouching a little bit | ||
| Robin Overcash (Robin)
Junior Member Username: Robin Post Number: 113 Registered: 1-2003 |
I've done some test fitting in various 355's to see how I fit (I'm 6'5"...) and it seems like the Spiders are the worst. My head sticks out far enough that I'm almost looking over the windshield. My understanding is that because they have electric seats, the seat had to be raised to fit the motor and electronics underneath. I fit pretty well in Berlinettas and GTSs though. I ran into a guy in Newport Beach who works for Dennig Motors who says they do "tall man" conversions for all kinds of Ferraris... might be worth a check. -R | ||
| Ali Haas (Aehaas)
New member Username: Aehaas Post Number: 24 Registered: 5-2003 |
I am 6,2 and never fit comfortably in a Ferrai until I sat in a 550 Maranello, I bought it. aehaas | ||
| Steve Magnusson (91tr)
Intermediate Member Username: 91tr Post Number: 1869 Registered: 1-2001 |
Charles -- Had the same problem in my ex-308GTS -- at 6'3", the roof had to stay in the garage if removed. | ||
| Charles Brading (Austin308)
New member Username: Austin308 Post Number: 3 Registered: 6-2003 |
I just bought a 308 gtsi My ? is I am 6'2" where do you put the roof. is there a secret how it goes behinf the seat without moving the seat forward. did not want to cut legs off to fit. | ||
| tony zuccarino (Tzucc)
New member Username: Tzucc Post Number: 12 Registered: 6-2003 |
Hans, try it on for size first... the one I just bought had this metal plate under the seat to boost it up and keep it closer to the wheel. I'm having it removed and the seat put back on the original mounts. Anyway, you yourself may or or may not feel comfortable. I can say that I feel just as comfy in this car as in my 2000 S500, meaning that just because a car is a big sedan or a small sports car, doesn't necessarily mean anything - one must get in first. | ||
| Hans E. Hansen (4re_gt4)
Intermediate Member Username: 4re_gt4 Post Number: 1490 Registered: 4-2002 |
Interesting, Tony, as I've always 'eyed' the 246 a possible future acquisition. | ||
| tony zuccarino (Tzucc)
New member Username: Tzucc Post Number: 10 Registered: 6-2003 |
fyi, I fit OK in a 246GT... I was amazed! Somehow the Italians remembered that some of us 100% Italians are still over 6'... in my case 6'4". It's not tons of headroom, but you don't get that annoying feeling of your hair brushing the ceiling. -tony | ||
| Hans E. Hansen (4re_gt4)
Intermediate Member Username: 4re_gt4 Post Number: 1484 Registered: 4-2002 |
Actually, Magnum had to do more than remove the roof. The seat padding is also gone (you can see the car at Petersen's), so he was damn near sitting on the floor. I couldn't drive a GTB/S comfortably, that's why I'm in a GT4. It does have more room for taller people. | ||
| Lee Pierce (Leepierce)
Junior Member Username: Leepierce Post Number: 126 Registered: 1-2003 |
James: You won't really have to. My business is in Sevierville. I could just drive it to work one day, a quick 25-minute drive from Gatlinburg through the Arts and Crafts community! See you then...email first. Greg: I thought about emailing you but it turned out to be a quick in-and-out trip. I will next time, though, and email me if you're ever up. Dave and Steve: I had no idea such a device existed. Something I may have to look into; thanks! | ||
| James Adams (Madmaxx)
Junior Member Username: Madmaxx Post Number: 165 Registered: 11-2002 |
Lee, I might be checking on the mountain house (Gatlinburg) in a few weeks, perhaps I'll make the trek to Knoxville. Been wanting to visit the musclecar museum again  MM | ||
| Greg Rodgers (Joechristmas)
Member Username: Joechristmas Post Number: 756 Registered: 3-2001 |
Lee when are you coming back to Chattanooga? Let me know next time you come so we can get together if you like. | ||
| david handa (Davehanda)
Member Username: Davehanda Post Number: 958 Registered: 5-2001 |
Dittos on the steering wheel spacer. I'm short (5-8) and find the extension to be a plus. Allows me to recline the seat more. Also helps to reduce all that damage to the top edge of the instrument binacle from finger nails hitting it. I got mine from www.ogracing.com surf through the steering wheel section. | ||
| Steve Magnusson (91tr)
Intermediate Member Username: 91tr Post Number: 1862 Registered: 1-2001 |
Two things (in addition to adjusting the tilt) can be a big help for acheiving a quasi-reasonable driving position IME: 1) a steering wheel extension -- at least 1.25" long; 2" would be better, but usually requires a 2-piece design, and 2) using a 320mm OD steering wheel (350mm OD is the largest you should have IMO in any case in a post-Fiat Ferrari  ) | ||
| Paul Bianco (Paulie_b)
Member Username: Paulie_b Post Number: 295 Registered: 1-2003 |
Magnum had to remove the roof to drive his! | ||
| Ken Ross (Kdross)
Member Username: Kdross Post Number: 368 Registered: 2-2002 |
I am 6"3" and weigh 180 pounds, but have long legs. I have no problem fitting in my 308QV GTS. Even with the top on I fit fine. In fact, I have to move the seat up when the top is on so that I can reach the pedals. | ||
| Lee Pierce (Leepierce)
Junior Member Username: Leepierce Post Number: 124 Registered: 1-2003 |
James: I saw your other post about Fcars in SC, and I thought I would mention that I'm in Knoxville. If you're ever up here, or over in the "Great Smoky Mountains", email me and I'll bring it by. I wish you luck finding one in the Southeast! Except Atlanta, Birmingham, and parts of Florida, it's a wasteland down here for exotics. | ||
| James Glickenhaus (Napolis)
Intermediate Member Username: Napolis Post Number: 1612 Registered: 10-2002 |
Phillip Bought it new in 80 traded it back to dealer towards new TR in 88. It was in very good shape. They sold it pretty quickly. I hope it's still going strong. Drove TR 115,000 miles. Chassis was rusting. Traded it back to dealer towards Maser Coupe. That one handles fine in the snow as well. Best | ||
| Lee Pierce (Leepierce)
Junior Member Username: Leepierce Post Number: 123 Registered: 1-2003 |
James: I'm 6'4" and also have long legs, and my 308 GTS is a little on the cramped side. The wheel does stay between your legs, but still allows ample room for clutching, a lot better than some cars. Also, the steering wheel is height adjustable via two bolts below the steering column. So far I haven't adjusted mine because the wheel's distance to you is also a problem. With the seat slid all the way back and then LEANED all the way back to make headroom (and there's plenty once that's done), you're a long way from the steering wheel. The wheel would need to telescope to be just right, and they don't do that. All said, it's not the most comfortable driving position but I would still drive it every day if I weren't always listening for expensive-sounding noises from the engine...still haven't gotten over that (hey, only had it five months). I'll learn to trust it eventually; it hasn't let me down in 2000 miles. | ||
| philip (Fanatic1)
Member Username: Fanatic1 Post Number: 266 Registered: 2-2003 |
James, I've heard you mention your 308 GTB...85,000 miles, driven in rain, sleet....after 85000 did you sell it, trade it in, or was it just toasted completely.....just wondering. You're really the only person I've heard of putting that many miles on an F-Car single handedly. | ||
| Andreas Forrer (Tifosi12)
Intermediate Member Username: Tifosi12 Post Number: 1238 Registered: 10-2002 |
Legroom is fine in the 308. Shouldn't be an issue. As a matter of fact I have never sat so comfy in a car ever (not counting other Ferraris). Everything seems to be where it is supposed to. On long hauls however I stretch my left leg out and put the foot under the clutch pedal for that extra stretch. | ||
| Norm (32storm)
New member Username: 32storm Post Number: 21 Registered: 5-2003 |
You may want to consider a Mondial Cabriolet or 348/355 Spider-gets rid of any headroom issues.I've crossed paths with (2)larger gentlemen who prefered the cab's due to more room than 308/328/348/355. | ||
| James Adams (Madmaxx)
Junior Member Username: Madmaxx Post Number: 162 Registered: 11-2002 |
Headroom isn't usually my problem, it's my legs. They're long and my thighs are very large. In the lotus, the wheel was between my legs. I couldn't lift my knees up to clutch heh. If the pedals in a 308 are somewhat deep in the well area, then I should be fine. Need to find someone local and check their car, but no luck so far. James | ||
| Andreas Forrer (Tifosi12)
Intermediate Member Username: Tifosi12 Post Number: 1237 Registered: 10-2002 |
Not being terribly tall myself I can only relate hear-say: It ain't easy for tall guys in the 308. That's why Magnum drove always with the top off. It is possible for a tall guy, but there are better cars for this. The Forza buyer's guide mentions this issue as well. There was a thread on here about how to lower the seat, but there isn't really much one can do about it. | ||
| James Glickenhaus (Napolis)
Intermediate Member Username: Napolis Post Number: 1611 Registered: 10-2002 |
James I'm 6'1" and drove my 308 GTBi happily for 85,000 miles. | ||
| James Adams (Madmaxx)
Junior Member Username: Madmaxx Post Number: 161 Registered: 11-2002 |
Just wondering, do the taller 308 owners fit comfortably in their cars? Hard top cars especially... I'm 6'2" long legs. Just making sure I fit, as I haven't had much luck with some other cars (lotus)  James |