Will a 6' person fit in a 308 GTB? | FerrariChat

Will a 6' person fit in a 308 GTB?

Discussion in '308/328' started by oldsouth, Mar 8, 2022.

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  1. oldsouth

    oldsouth Rookie

    Mar 8, 2022
    5
    Hello Ferrari folks. Never owned one but looking at a '77 308 GTB. How much headroom is there in the car? I fit in a Diablo but not in a Countach. Thanks...
     
  2. mike996

    mike996 F1 Veteran

    Jun 14, 2008
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    Mike 996
    It depends on your body's trunk to legs ratio. I am exactly 6 ft and fit OK. A friend is 5'11" and can't fit in my car. OTOH, the previous owner of my car was 6'4" and drove the car for years until he sold it to me because he had gained too much girth around the middle to fit in the seat!

    But I'm sure there are folks here who can directly respond to the difference in how they fit in the 308 vs a Diablo.
     
  3. jgmblair

    jgmblair Formula Junior
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    May 27, 2010
    825
    Winnipeg, MB Canada
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    Jeff Blair
    You will fit, but are you asking if you will be comfortable ;) I have a 77 308 and a testarossa I’m 6’1 and love driving both of them. Buy the 77 GTB great car!
     
    BLACK HORSE likes this.
  4. lm2504me

    lm2504me Formula 3
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    Aug 26, 2004
    1,122
    Nipomo, CA
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    Richard
    You should fit and can buy a steering wheel spacer to bring it closer to you. It also minimizes any damage to dash from fingernails and rings. Set seat all they way back.
     
  5. BigTex

    BigTex Seven Time F1 World Champ
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    Dec 6, 2002
    79,408
    Houston, Texas
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    Bubba
    I'm 6' 2"...as noted I put the seat all but last notch back (I don't trust the very last notch, to stay engaged)....

    Then I rake the seat incline as far back as possible with maybe a 1/2" air gap to the rear shelf, to avoid materials chaffing.

    I don't think I could wear a helmet in one.
     
  6. BigTex

    BigTex Seven Time F1 World Champ
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    Dec 6, 2002
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    Bubba
    With recent injuries I find the greater challenge is ac tually entry or egress.

    It's always been a matter of dropping in with feet on the ground then swinging them in, but to get out now I'm grabbing the window mullion (GTB) amnd the RH air scoop edge, to pull my weight back out again!

    I'm fairly thin at 200# for the height, it's loss of strength....
     
  7. hrlevy

    hrlevy Karting

    May 3, 2005
    76
    upstate NY
    Full Name:
    Howard R. Levy
    I'm 6'3" 280lbs, I had a 78 GTB that I drove on the track. No problem fitting in, seat back, 1" extender on steering whee;. good luck with new car.
     
  8. 4right

    4right F1 Rookie
    Rossa Subscribed

    I am 6’4” and fit fine. As has been mentioned, it depends upon your body makeup. Positioning the seat all of the way in a reclined position will help you to get comfortable. A Eccentric steering wheel spacer is the single best way to increase leg room inside the car.
     
  9. ginoBBi512

    ginoBBi512 F1 Rookie
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    Oct 9, 2016
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    GINO RUGGIERO
    #9 ginoBBi512, Mar 8, 2022
    Last edited: Mar 8, 2022
    I think a lot of folks are kidding themselves or convincing themselves that they can fit in a 3x8 with said sizes, no way Jose . We have had this discussion before. The seats in 3x8s suck , and if one is trying to stuff oneself in the car , it does not mean one fits let alone drive the car the way it was intended.Dont buy it before you drive it and you will see what Im talking about. The cars were designed for drivers the size of F1 pilots. You start climbing above 6 ft and 190 ,and a shoe size about 9.5 , its not going to happen. Dont kid yourself, the cockpit is tiny at best . Im 5 11 and 3/4/ 190/ 36 inch waste , with a shoe size of 7.5 , and I still had to rip the stock seats out , not only do they suck but they provide NO LATERAL SUPPORT. I also make the most out of the tiny pedal box area by driving with my sox and no shoes.

    Thank you
     
    mike996 likes this.
  10. Gohigh54

    Gohigh54 Rookie

    Apr 29, 2019
    40
    I’m 6’1” @215lb and fit with no problems. Swinging the legs in and out is a chore, but one in it is fine.


    Sent from my iPhone using FerrariChat
     
  11. oldsouth

    oldsouth Rookie

    Mar 8, 2022
    5
    Thanks everyone! I mainly am concerned with the head room. My legs aren't overly long, but torso is probably a little above average. 34" bluejean leg 33-34" waist 180 lbs.
     
  12. 76Steel

    76Steel Formula 3

    Sep 8, 2007
    1,482
    New Jersey
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    Mike
    At 6' or 6' 1", unless there are weight or built issues, I don't see it being a problem. At 180 lbs and 33 waist, you should be good. Remember, a classic Italian body build is shorter legs and longer arms. I kinda see my 77 GTB designed with that in mind!
     
  13. Brian A

    Brian A F1 Rookie

    Dec 21, 2012
    3,156
    SanFrancisco BayArea
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    1983 US 308 GTS QV
    I’m 6’0”. Counterintuitively, I find I fit best by sliding the seat slightly forward so that I may recline the backrest a little more. The knees come up a bit doing this but I find the position quite comfortable.
     
  14. Ferrari 308 GTB

    Ferrari 308 GTB F1 Veteran

    Feb 21, 2015
    8,090
    Tropical
    Have a look at Harrys Garage Vetroresina ,he is 6ft no worries.

    I'm 5' 11 and have been on a circuit with full face Bell helmet ,no problem.
     
    Natkingcolebasket69 likes this.
  15. Ferrari 308 GTB

    Ferrari 308 GTB F1 Veteran

    Feb 21, 2015
    8,090
    Tropical
    #15 Ferrari 308 GTB, Mar 9, 2022
    Last edited: Mar 9, 2022
    Another gentleman who you might recognize did quite a bit of development work with the 308 GTB,you will be in very good company.Niki was around 5'7 ,no problem for him.He has the seat well forward and well reclined.
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login His work car in the background...312T
     
  16. Shark01

    Shark01 F1 Veteran

    Jun 25, 2005
    6,571
    This is true for most of us (I own a Diablo, and pretty much everyone fits) over 5’ 7” and a buck 35.
     
  17. mike996

    mike996 F1 Veteran

    Jun 14, 2008
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    I was at a meet a few years back and a guy was there with a 328 GTS like mine who was about an inch taller than me - about 6'1". He drove the car with his head canted to the side. He said "It's OK to drive to the meet but I wouldn't want to drive all day!" NO KIDDING! The meet location was about 8 miles from his house.

    I'm afraid I'm with Gino on this...sit in one before you buy it. I wouldn't rely on anyone else's experience other than to get a general idea of whether you MIGHT comfortably fit. Heck, for that matter it's not what I'd call a comfortable car, even if you do technically "fit." ;) Don't spend any money until you sit in one...
     
    dinogt4guy, oldsouth and ginoBBi512 like this.
  18. Albert-LP

    Albert-LP F1 Veteran
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    Sep 1, 2010
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    Alberto Mantovani
    It looks that the typical Italian male is like this... :D

    Ciao
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  19. mike996

    mike996 F1 Veteran

    Jun 14, 2008
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    Mike 996
    ALSO...consider how you would use the car. As the guy I mentioned said - it was fine for his 8 mile drive to a meet. If that's the sort of thing you are going to do, the fit isn't too important. But I've done three trips across the US in my 328, each in the minimum time reasonably possible. That included 14-16 hours per day in the driver's seat which is a totally different requirement for a "fit" in the car.

    FWIW, regardless of how well you fit, if you want a comfortable car for those cross-country trips, a 3x8 aint it! ;)
     
  20. Dal308

    Dal308 Karting
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    Nov 4, 2014
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    Coppell, TX
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    Dude
    The steering wheel spacer is a huge help. I also use a Mondial shift lever which is taller like a QV and angles back to make it less of a reach with the seat all way back.
    I'm 6 feet with only a 32-inch inseam...but with the seat angled back as BigTex suggested and in the rear position it all works
     
  21. Nuvolari

    Nuvolari F1 Veteran
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    Sep 3, 2002
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    Rob C.
    I fit great in my 77 GTB and am 6 foot tall. In fact I do not need to run the seat all the way or tilt it either. I have a lot of freedom in my driving position. I would have no hesitation doing a long road trip either. I find the 308 very comfortable with no real compromise.
     
  22. Mule

    Mule F1 Rookie
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    Jun 25, 2003
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    You know, the shoe size was brought up. I'm tall and skinny, but size 13 shoe. That is my biggest issue. You don't necessarily need driving boots, but you can't wear thick sole, thick shoes because the space between the gas and brake pedals is narrow.
     
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  23. ClydeM

    ClydeM F1 World Champ
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    Nov 4, 2003
    12,136
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    Clyde E. McMurdy
    There have been numerous threads on this topic.
    But to save you a search :
    I have an '83 GTB, am 6'3" was 190lbs, now 165. I do have the seat all the way back & I do incline it all the way back. I have about 1/4" clearance between my head & the roof so I go slow over speed bumps. :) Actually, I've never hit my head on the roof.
    I dont have a steering wheel spacer as I prefer to drive with my arms somewhat extended rather than cramped next to my chest.

    As mentioned above, getting in & out is trying. I use the leg swing technique mentioned above. I DO NOT put my weight on the door. Too many stories about door sag from it.

    And I have driven my car from NJ to Canada a couple of times. No cramps, no issues.
     
  24. Albert-LP

    Albert-LP F1 Veteran
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    Sep 1, 2010
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    Alberto Mantovani

    take them out! I wear size 12 shoes and no problem

    ciao
     
  25. lm2504me

    lm2504me Formula 3
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    Aug 26, 2004
    1,122
    Nipomo, CA
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    Richard
    I only use driving shoes in my 308. I have wide size 13 feet, they feel great, and plenty of foot room.
    Keep regular shoes in rear boot.
     

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