| Author | Message | ||
| Bruno (Originalsinner)
Member Username: Originalsinner Post Number: 754 Registered: 5-2002 |
I cant believe you said that.Mine says the same kind of crap. But I know it's to discourage me and how good I look in it.I tell her not to be so insecure,I wont leave. (unless it's for the twins"). | ||
| Steve (Steve)
Junior Member Username: Steve Post Number: 214 Registered: 2-2001 |
My 308 (77) only has tilt and you need a few wrenches to make the adjustment. Without the spacer when you tilt it up it gets close to the top of the pod so your fingers may touch if adjusted to high. I found a mid point where I had finger clearance and knee clearance. | ||
| KCCK (Kenneth)
New member Username: Kenneth Post Number: 42 Registered: 10-2002 |
On my 456, it is both tilt and telescopic adjustible. But not much, not much. That is why I am still reading this thread. | ||
| Frank K Lipinski (Kaz)
New member Username: Kaz Post Number: 38 Registered: 11-2002 |
355 has tilt - but I'm not sure about telescopic. I remember a thread here (I'm looking for it) where someone said there are 2 bolts under the column you can loosen and move the wheel about an inch or so. I mentioned this to a sales rep at Sheldon and he said bad idea.....that's part of the front crash saftey feature that allows the wheel to colapse and is not used for wheel adjustment... My car isn't here yet...I'm curious if anyone has more info on this... | ||
| Andrew (Enzo250gto)
New member Username: Enzo250gto Post Number: 46 Registered: 2-2002 |
yes on the newer models the wheels can adjust both tilting and telescoping. I believe Bernard also touched on this | ||
| Randy (Schatten)
Member Username: Schatten Post Number: 487 Registered: 4-2001 |
my ignorant question to add to this thread: is the steering wheel tilt-adjustable on some or any f-model? reason I ask, I've only sat in a few, and from pictures I see, the tilt is forward. Personally I prefer something a little more vertical. If its not adjustable, is it difficult to adjust to? | ||
| Hans E. Hansen (4re_gt4)
Member Username: 4re_gt4 Post Number: 581 Registered: 4-2002 |
Bruno: My other half tells me that it looks like I'm giving birth when I'm driving it. | ||
| Bruno (Originalsinner)
Member Username: Originalsinner Post Number: 750 Registered: 5-2002 |
Ah the "ITALIAN DRIVER POSITION" I'm 6'3 also and find my knees the same way in every Ferrari I have driven. | ||
| david handa (Davehanda)
Member Username: Davehanda Post Number: 306 Registered: 5-2001 |
I forgot to mention, if you guys buy the spacer from OG Racing for a 308/328 you will need a horn button adapter also. OG Racing doesn't sell them, but you can get it from most any Momo dealer, or a Ferrari dealer. The horn button adapter is molded into the factory hub adapter, and when you put in the spacer, it is no longer usable. The momo horn button spacer is just a piece of stamped steel, but needed. Don't know the part number, but they sell for around $7 to $10. I bought mine locally in Seattle at Autosport 206.621.1940 You can get one from the F dealer too, as it was a factory part for the Testarossa. | ||
| Steve Magnusson (91tr)
Intermediate Member Username: 91tr Post Number: 1200 Registered: 1-2001 |
In addition to an extension (had a 2" in my ex-308 and have the 1.25" OGRacing in the TR -- although I'd like 2"), steering wheel size/design can make a big difference IMO. On some of the smaller wheels they even offset the mounting holes down on the steering wheel itself (relative to the rim) to give more leg clearance under the wheel. I wouldn't think twice about going down to 350mm diameter if you've got something bigger now (especially in a V8) or even a 320mm (although I'd admit a 320mm in a TR is a workout at low speed). I couldn't live with the stock 365mm TR steering wheel and no extension! | ||
| Steve (Steve)
Junior Member Username: Steve Post Number: 213 Registered: 2-2001 |
6'4" and push the seat back and tilt the back as far as possible and tilt the steering wheel up a little and it works fine for me. I could use a 1" spacer and was going to get one made but it looks like the $40 one would do. Also I use the arms straight out method. | ||
| Hans E. Hansen (4re_gt4)
Member Username: 4re_gt4 Post Number: 577 Registered: 4-2002 |
Peter: Since they made the front seats in the GT4 usable, they had to put in some un-usable ones in the back, just to keep up tradition. | ||
| Dave328GTB (Hardtop)
Member Username: Hardtop Post Number: 302 Registered: 1-2002 |
My spacer was custom made, cost 80. installed. Dave | ||
| '75 308 GT4 (Peter)
Intermediate Member Username: Peter Post Number: 2215 Registered: 12-2000 |
Dave H.: I think that spacer would fit a plethora of Ferraris (the older ones that is, with the exposed, six allen-socket counter-sunk screws), as I'm positive the bolt-circle diameters are all the same. I never could understand this "Italian driving position". I'm 5'7" and my arms are bent slightly down when holding the wheel at 9 and 3 o'clock, and legs are nearly straight (just a slight bend at the nees). I feel absolutely comfortable in the car. Actually, when I rest my left foot on the dead pedal, its bent more, but not crammed up behind the wheel like some of you described... Maybe this is an anomaly with the GT4... That it can actually fit people inside...  | ||
| V.Z. (Ama328)
New member Username: Ama328 Post Number: 20 Registered: 11-2002 |
i, too, use the '5'/'7' oclock positions, shifting wheel thru hands to turn...almost never have hands on top part of wheel(on a 328)...is actually quite comfy once you get the hang on of it. | ||
| Vince Canipelli (F308vc)
Junior Member Username: F308vc Post Number: 56 Registered: 2-2002 |
I have no problem with the driving position in my 308GTBi. I'm 5'4' and my Grandfather was born in Avellino, Italy !!! | ||
| david handa (Davehanda)
Member Username: Davehanda Post Number: 304 Registered: 5-2001 |
I find the same problem with my previous 308 and my current 328. The simple solution is to buy a steering wheel spacer. Not sure if it will fit on the 348 or not, but available from www.ogracing.com, and puts the wheel about 1.25" closer, though the description on their site says it is 1.12 or something.... | ||
| Graeme Parcher (Ferrarif355)
New member Username: Ferrarif355 Post Number: 2 Registered: 11-2002 |
It just seems like such an unnatural position. Elbows out - knees into the steering wheel. Considering Ferrari's heritage, I guess they know something I don't (not a big surprise). I would imagine you'd get used to it over time. Is the steering column extension an OEM part? What is the cost of the installation? Not owning a Ferrari (but lusting for one for years), I'm glad to read there are so many tall owners who seem to get by just fine thank you. Cheers. | ||
| Dave328GTB (Hardtop)
Member Username: Hardtop Post Number: 298 Registered: 1-2002 |
I put a one inch extension behind the steering wheel of my 328. Made a big difference to me. Car even feels like it handles much better which, of course it doesn't. Dave | ||
| Hans E. Hansen (4re_gt4)
Member Username: 4re_gt4 Post Number: 573 Registered: 4-2002 |
6' 2", here. I got a 308GT4 because I found it easier to drive than it's GTB/S cousins. I do have a bit of a problem with my knees getting tangled up in the steering wheel in most F-cars. Solution: Steering wheel extender. I have the info around here somewhere, if anyone needs it. | ||
| Craig Dewey (Craigfl)
Member Username: Craigfl Post Number: 493 Registered: 1-2001 |
I'm 6'-4" and am used to the "italian, arms out" driving position... | ||
| Bernard Sharp (Fanatic)
New member Username: Fanatic Post Number: 1 Registered: 11-2002 |
I read somewhere that the real reason for the distant steering wheel position is that Italian drivers hold the wheel along the bottom, at the "5 o'clock" and "7 o'clock" positions, and shuffle their hands along the bottom of the wheel as they go through corners. It is not because Italians have longer arms than other humans in the rest of the world. The distant wheel position seems strange to drivers who were taught to hold the wheel at "3 o'clock" and 9 o'clock, but apparently it works for Italian steering technique. What I don't understand is why Ferrari took so long to introduce tilting and telescoping steering columns, so drivers could use whatever technique they prefer! Of course, I've never been to Italy to find out for myself, so maybe someone with first hand experience can enlighten us? | ||
| Paul Newman (Newman)
Member Username: Newman Post Number: 675 Registered: 12-2001 |
I keep reading how they say ferrari built cars with an italian driver in mind. They said their arms are longer in proportion to the rest of their bodies. Im not making this up and it sounds stupid but like I said, Ive read it in more than one publication. That explains my 308 position, legs crammed into the car and the shifter and wheel are at the right distance. | ||
| Graeme Parcher (Ferrarif355)
New member Username: Ferrarif355 Post Number: 1 Registered: 11-2002 |
I'm new to this chat room, so you'll have to forgive me if this is an ignorant question: I have recently done a little shopping around here in Toronto for a 348. I sat in one the other day and found the distance from the steering wheel to the peddles very short and the steering wheel seemed very distant from my seating position. I'm 6'3" and do fit into most Ferrari's (barely), but this one just seemed awkward. My knees were pointing out towards the sides of the car. Is this typical? I don't remember having this problem in a 355. |