Modified Seats for Tall person in a 328?

I'm 6-4 240 lbs and after sitting in a 328 for the first time I practically decided there's no way I could ever drive this car. However, is it possible to modify the seats to gain an extra few inches of headroom in the car? I think I might need 4-5 inches to not have the top of the windscreen directly in my eye view.

I've searched the forums already and it seems that those going with the Sparcos actually LOSE headroom.

Anyone know of a tall person modifying a 328 to gain headroom? Thanks

Aaron

 

Magnum P.I., but since the show went off the air years ago, we can't ask T.M. how he did it. Actually, you may be able to search the net to figure out how they had to modify the 308 to get Tom Selleck to fit in the car, since I think he is even taller than 6'4" (I think).

 

yes I read that he had the padding removed and the seat was bolted to the floor.

Anyone know of someone who has had this done? If anywhere I thought this would be the place to ask!

 

You would have to sit on the floor to get an extra few inches.

Dave

 

If you are talking about 328 GTB then you will have difficulty finding any more head room as I understand that lowering the seat does not give much additional and the seat becomes fixed in one position.

When I purchased the 328 GTS I asked specifically about lowering the seat but the Ferrari dealer did not recommend it.

I finally gained about one inch more head room by fitting a carbon fibre targa roof purchased out of Japan.

The cost was considerable, about AUST$3500, but the head room gained made it worthwhile.

Of course the obvious choice is to lay back the seat but not too comfortable to steer and see.

I doubt if you will gain the inches you seek.

Best of luck Tony

 

This comes up periodically. I'm 6'4" also, but total height isn't all the same; a lot depends on leg proportions, etc.

When I bought my 328, one of the deciding factors was the extra half inch the 328 had over the 308. I still found the 328 a tight fit when I first bought it.

Now I find it very comfortable, especially with the top on the car. It's just a matter of getting used to it. It's just not as comfortable with that fiberglass top behind the seat.

If you want some perspective, watch some of the old Kirosawa films. If you see those tiny little boxes (norimono) they used to carry people around in, back when "tokyo" was "kyoto", you begin to understand the size of older Japanese compact cars. The 328 is huge, by comparison to a norimon.

 

Ask Higgins he knew everything ;-)

One other option is to put carbon fibre race seats in, they have adjustable side brackets where the seat can be lowered or tilted back in, I am currently doing this to a Mondy (which has more head room anyway), these seats can also be covered in leather or whatever material you want obviously at a price

 

I am 6-1, and at first thought I couldnt drive the darn cars, but after a while you figure it out. You just have to sit different. But 6-4 is a stretch. I was told the MPI cars had both some seat padding removed, and a few actually had the sheet metal in the floor altered to both lower the seat, as well as get it back farther. The GTB cars have more room, and the seat goes farther back as there is no roof stowage. I found with the few GTB I have seen so far, that the tracks are dirty, and with a little fiddling, you can get the seat to slide WAY back. So far in fact that I can barely reach the pedals correctly and have to slide back up a notch or two. And you know, Selleck never drove the cars with the tops on.

 

I disagree. I have both 308 GTS's and a GTB currently. The GTB has less headroom than the GTS with the top on. I am 6'4" and I put the seat all the way back and recline the back all of the way back. I am fine in both cars. The GTB is a little tighter but I am still ok.

 

6'3" and a 308GTB. The seat is all the way back and I have about 1/2" of clearance. The rules to remember:
1) Avoid bumps
2) It's Tuck & Roll if you ever flip the car.

 

I'm 5'7". The big issue is what kind of hat to wear when I'm driving.

More seriously, I read that they took the padding out of seat for Tom Selleck, but if you watch the series you'll see that his head sticks up past the windshield top and they almost never have the targa top on the car. I'm not sure how comfortable he could have been driving it.

I don't think you'll get another 4-5 inches through modifications - the seats in my car are extremely close to the floor. If you plan to recline the seat, just make sure you have long arms to get the right reach for the steering wheel.

 

Disagree.

FWIW, I've owned a '84 GTS, currently own a '77 308 GTB. I have MUCH more headroom w/ the hardtop GTB. The arched roof of the GTB offers about an inch more headroom than the flat GTS targa panel.

I'm 6'3", and have about an inch of headroom. I almost never rub. Really, my GTB feels very comfortable and spacious, much more than the targa version.

Maybe try a 328 GTB, might offer you more headroom!

Greg

 

I am 6'2" tall and have the seats ALL the way back, and all the way down. And I can fit with the top on. (I cannot store the Targa Top behind the seat, though) Except that with the Car in First, my right leg is squeezed between the gear shift and the steering wheel. I suppose that I could just get a shorter shifter. But, so far, after over 5 years it hasn't been a big enough problem to warrant it.

The pedals also look like they could easliy be shortened a little bit too, if I had to. They stick up pretty far from the firewall floor.

When I was first "Trying On" 308's for size many years ago. I thought, "Well, how do these Football and Basketball players fit into Ferrari's and Lamborghini's?" There was a place in Florida called "Tall Man Conversions" that would make the cars a better fit for Big and Tall people. But, that was many years ago. I am not sure that they are around anymore.

But, just try putting the seat all the way down, and all the way back. And, consider doing someting with shortening the pedals, too, if you need to. Where there's a will...there's a way.... Good Luck!

 

If anyone has any ideas on how to lower the floor pan on the driver side, I sure would like to hear about it.

 

My 84 308 has had this done, I don't know who did it, but they did a real nice job. Rumor is this car was originally owned by a very famous sports guy (I won't tell you who, BigAl will call me a liar).
I'm 6-3½ and fit pretty good (and I have big [puffy?] hair).
Here is a picture....
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I don't care who the sports guy was... but can I buy your car?!?!?!

I desperately want a 308/328 that I can fit inside. Otherwise I'm headed to porsche territory where I have no such problem.

Where would I have the best chance of finding a car with this done?


PM sent, btw.

 

MDshore348 is working with Corbeau to get seats and mounts that are lowered for 308's (which have an identical mount to the 328). He's already done that for the 348. I plan to get a set in tan leather.

 

I'm 6'4" 230 and the only problem I have is 1st gear - but so what! If I shift my leg position, like you are heal toeing, it works out fine. Otherwise, my thigh is pretty snug between the steering wheel and shifter for reverse and 1st. Stop signs/lights are a pain anyway! Plenty of room for 2-5. THat's where you spend most of your time anyway. The seat is all the way back and reclined. IMHO that is perfect for my arm length. Is it roomy? Feels fine to me. I kind of like the tucked-in feel. The roof is either on or leaned up against the garage wall. With the roof behind the seat my head is way out of the car and it hurts my back - probably from trying to scrunch down. Try it again, I think you will be fine.
Jim

 

"Actually, 3 models were used:1979 308 GTS, 1981 308 GTSi, 1984 308 GTS QV . They had to be modified for the very tall Selleck. Padding was removed from the seats so he would sit lower. The seat was bolted as far away from the steering wheel as possible to provide more room. And think about it, you rarely saw Magnum driving with the top on."

I am 6' 3" 210 lbs 36" inseam and have always wanted a 1985 308. I would buy those lowered seats or pay an expert 308 floor plan lowerer.

If I can't get the lowered seats, then it looks like the Tom Selleck modifications.

BTW - Tom is 6' 4"