Ferrari 328 and people with big butts :)

Come out to the Italian Car Fest this coming weekend in Grapevine and try mine on for size.

 

I had a friend drive mine who was around your size. He could fit in the car but had difficulty with the gas, brake and clutch which would be a safety issue. Big guys usually have big feet and this car ain't for the "sasquatch" footed driver. (his way of putting it, not mine! LOL) So just "fitting in the car" is not the only thing to consider. Joe

 

I have size 11 1/2 feet too. And I found it difficult to clutch in without tapping the brake a tad as well. But I am usually wearing running shoes which can be a little wide in the front. As long as your shoes aren't really wide I wouldn't think you should have a problem.

 

I don't think you'll be comfortable/happy with it. I'm a bit smaller and lighter than you but not by that much.

I recently sat in a 348 for the first time but my frame (hips really) were too wide for the seats. I kind of sat up on the side bolsters. I found the seats in a 355 work for me.

In any event, as someone mentioned, you need to go to an F-car meeting or meet a friendly owner that will allow a "test fitting." Or you could go to a dealership like I did.

 

Good point. I'm close to the same size as ranchhand but I wear a 13 wide shoe; I'm probably poop-out-of-luck when it comes to the 3X8. While I have sat behind the wheel of several, I've never driven one so I didn't really focus on the practical stuff like could I comfortably (and safely) drive the darn thing.

To hijack a bit, what about foot-well room/pedal spacing in the 365/400/412 range? Reality might be setting in...a Ferrari with an automatic.

 

I'm 6' and 235 lbs with size 14 feet and I think the 328 is quite comfortable.

Although I can't drive it with tennis shoes on, the soles on those things always seem to be really wide and in size 14 they don't fit between the pedals. However I usuallly wear topsiders and they fit just fine. Puma Future Cats are handy for more spirited driving.

My fat butt and big head have no problems fitting comfortably.

 

I'm six two and have pretty big feet - I fit just fine in the 308 but have to adapt a bit to the pedal spacing by a) wearing the narrowest shoes possible, and b) arranging my feet on the pedals in a particular manner. It ain't an easy fit, that's for sure.

There are some reasonable looking driving shoes which you could wear for regular everyday stuff. Definitely don't wear your clod hoppers as you'll be stepping on all three pedals at teh same time!

 

the guy I bought my 308 from was big and the seat bolster was worn from his big a** getting in and out of the car.you may want to look at a 348 or 355

 

I'm 6' 3" and 225 (but very fit), and I fit very comfortably, even with my size 12 shoes. I can even drive with the top on but rarely do I think you'd be fine Where there's a will...

 

I don't fit in a 328. Size 12 EEE feet is the main problem - not the fact I'm 6'2" and 275lb (though not particularly overweight).

I do, however, fit nicely in the Mondial.

As everyone else has said, though, the best way to find out is to go sit in one.

 

Body shape will affect your fit in the car.

My dimensions are similar to yours, however, I have a long torso and the weight gets distributed differently.

Consequently, I fit in my 328 with the top up with no problem. I usually don't wear sneakers so my size 12s don't have a problem with the pedals.

I suggest you try one out of size maybe go for a spin before deciding.

 

Just an aside.

A member here "Hans" in Holland (Exceptional English speaker/writer) has a 308gt4 and he is about 6'4" or larger. IIRC, I think he is around 6'6" and has country of registry flags on his shoes [just kidding] and has NO trouble driving his.

Something to consider IF the 308gt4 is on your "possible" list and price is a strong consideration.

 

Call Moorespeed in Austin he usually has one around to look at.........

 

Overall height might not matter as much as whether your legs are long, or your torso is.

I think the only way to find out for sure is to sit in one; better yet to drive one before you buy.

 

They trailered my Austin 308 around last week, I really have no idea where it is......

Somewhere off 183 on the North Side......I'll have to get a map...

 

6' 275lbs and I fit just fine.. I've done a 400 mile trip to Vegas and it was more comfortable than my C6 vette.. Long legs help but the wide shoulders cause the Lat's to pinch a bit !

Regardless, it's just a fun car to drive... and being so close to the ground you dont get the tractor trailer swirling wind effect. ( the wife was following me in the QX56 SUV and was getting blown all over the road. I never felt it, she was pissed. )

Good luck with the purchase
Patrick

 

Well for what its worth, i recently (June 1st) got my 82 308. I'm 5'10 and 250 with size 12's i don't have a problem at all with pedals, i wear my Piloti's and theres no problem,however my problem is my inseam is only 27'' and in order to reach and operate the pedals comfortably i have to move the seat up untill i'm on top of the steering wheel and with the angle of the 308's seats i feel like my body's all contorted just to drive the thing.I'm going to make it work somehow as i have lost 12 lbs and i've waited all my life to have a Ferrari and i'll be darned if a little thing like be uncomfortable is going to deter me.So, how bad do you want the Ferrari? We all have to make sacrifices.
CH

 

i am bigger also, but i sit in the 328 fine.
because i dont like my legs straight out, my seat is a little closer to the pedals than you would think for someone our size.

then i tilt back as far as i could kinda like an astronaut.
when the top is on, the headroom is tight. not sure if i could wear a helmet in it(comfortably).
when the roof is off, i am very comfortable in the car.
however when the top is stowed behind the seats my head sticks out of the roof a bit.

once your in, your fine.
its the getting in -and out, thats a little tough.

 

There are also some fairly simple things a guy your size can do to make it more comfortable. There are no electronics attached to the chair, and only the horn button attached to the steering wheel, so slight modifications are far easier than in the later Ferraris.

Two simple solutions I've seen:

1. A steering wheel extender, simply a short cylindrical column attached with allen screws to the steering column; the wheel is then attached to that in the same way as OEM;

2. A 1/4" metal shim bolted in where the rear chair rail attaches to the floor. This tilts the chair forward a bit for those who need it. It doesn't take much!

Both of these modifications can be completed within an hour or two with basic tools. I've seen the steering column extenders offered for sale, but if you or someone you know has a metal lathe, it's far simpler just to fabricate your own.

 

Thanks Bradley, i have looked in to the steering wheel spacer but as far as purchasing one i can't find one for ''Nardi to Nardi''. The ones i've seen are really adapters to adapt the Momo wheel to the Nardi pattern.Thanks for seat shim idea,i hadn't thought of that.
CH

 

I had the same problem with hitting the brake and clutch with the same foot. Also the gas and brake if I didn't have the right shoes on.. I'm not a real big guy but I've got wide feet. I installed an Alum. pedal kit and that made a world of diff. They were farther apart because the pedals were narrower. May not work for all but it is an idea.