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61 and 2 are two inches longer on the interiour, but the head room is the thing. I hate driving my 62 with the soft top up, and I'm just 6ft. Any significant bumps in the road means you better duck or smack your noggin into the top bow.....and it hurts! :
Riding with the hardtop on is a lot better, but you have to duck to see out the side of the car and watch getting in and out for that really hard side trim...ouch!
If you're long waisted you'll also find yourself with the windshield top trim in your line of vision.
Mid years are a lot more pleasant comfort wise, especially for tall guys.
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Yeah, I need someone to work the seat area so I can get myself planted down more from hitting the bow. It does not feel good whenever I hit it.
I am about 6' but seems most of that is in my legs. Made driving my '62 difficult as I had my legs spayed out around the original 17 inch steering wheel. Made it difficult to get to brake pedal! I first tried a 15 inch wheel which cured that but the rim blocked the speedo. I looked for a 16 to avail until I came upon K2 on this forum. He makes new steering wheels for these cars. Mine is teak with a rosewood insert. You might want to contact him for details. It cured all my legroom issues, does not block speedo and is beautiful all at the same time!
I am about 6' but seems most of that is in my legs. Made driving my '62 difficult as I had my legs spayed out around the original 17 inch steering wheel. Made it difficult to get to brake pedal! I first tried a 15 inch wheel which cured that but the rim blocked the speedo. I looked for a 16 to avail until I came upon K2 on this forum. He makes new steering wheels for these cars. Mine is teak with a rosewood insert. You might want to contact him for details. It cured all my legroom issues, does not block speedo and is beautiful all at the same time!
amazing that an inch makes that much difference...
Like the OP I wanted the 58-60 because I liked the rear end better than the 61-62 so I got my 59 and never actually drove or rode in one. It was my dream car and I was getting it. I've got 12 miles on the car so my opinion won't hold much weight but I wanted to share.
I'm 6'1 1/2". I used to be 6'2 but got shorter with age.... I weight 245 lbs so I'm not small and my pant inseam is 34 inches. I have never had the top up on my car because it's too dried out to stretch to close so my experience is only with the top down.
I get in the car by stepping in and kinda sliding my butt down the seat and with the seat all the way back I fit comfortably. I do have to keep my legs apart so the smaller steering wheel might be in my future. My only complaint is using the clutch and my leg touches the wheel. The accelerator is no problem and the brake seems to be easy too. I know you want an automatic so you should be ok there if your legs are close to a 34 like me. Head room wise, I see out the windshield fine but I look out the top of it. I don't know if I will be able to drive comfortably with the soft top up (soft top only car). Getting out isn't too hard either other than being so close to the ground and having to pull myself up.
I'm with the guys here who say go find one to ride in, or better yet make sure you can test drive any you want to buy.
Everyone has different body dimensions. Longer or shorter torso, longer or shorter legs.
Agree 100 percent. I'm 6'4" and I've got long legs short torso... so I sit the same height in my 62 as someone 5'10".
After a major spinal fusion in 2006 and 2007 I started gaining weight (lots of it) and I used to come in at 297 lbs (now I'm around 195) so belly room used to be an issue too.. (not any longer).
With my long legs comes the issue of my knee being ever so close to the dash pad cap. It's not nearly as bad as it used to be (when I was 297 my knee would jamb into it) and driving the car is much more of a pleasure these days. The only issue that I still hate is when the hardtop or the softtop are on the car you kind of have to go in head first and then twist into the seat.
Ernie
Last edited by Willcox Corvette; 05-23-2017 at 04:55 PM.
Agree 100 percent. I'm 6'4" and I've got long legs short torso... so I sit the same height in my 62 as someone 5'10".
After a major spinal fusion in 2006 and 2007 I started gaining weight (lots of it) and I used to come in at 297 lbs (now I'm around 195) so belly room used to be an issue too.. (not any longer).
With my long legs comes the issue of my knee being ever so close to the dash pad cap. It's not nearly as bad as it used to be (when I was 297 my knee would jamb into it) and driving the car is much more of a pleasure these days. The only issue that I still hate is when the hardtop or the softtop are on the car you kind of have to go in head first and then twist into the seat.
Ernie
I was told years ago by a long time C1 owner that you are supposed to lean in head first with your right fist on the transmission tunnel. Then, while crossing your right calf over your left shin twist CCW into the seat then unfold the right leg and pull the left one in.
I was told years ago by a long time C1 owner that you are supposed to lean in head first with your right fist on the transmission tunnel. Then, while crossing your right calf over your left shin twist CCW into the seat then unfold the right leg and pull the left one in.
I was told years ago by a long time C1 owner that you are supposed to lean in head first with your right fist on the transmission tunnel. Then, while crossing your right calf over your left shin twist CCW into the seat then unfold the right leg and pull the left one in.
Soumds a bit zany but it works.
That's how I get in and I'm 6'2" and 215 lbs. Getting out you swing out your legs then duck your head. I do hit the roof bow on large bumps but part my fault for not have the new foam in the seats shaped correctly.
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (appearance mods)
C1 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
And by the way....Did you know that the average height of a North American male has increased by more than an inch since the 1960s?
According to the National Center for Health Statistics, the average height for an adult male in the United States is:
69.3 inches (176.1 cm), or
5 feet 9.3 inches (1.76 m)
This statistic is from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) conducted from 2007 to 2010.
Average Height Statistics Over Time
How has the average height of an adult male changed over the years?
Measurements of body mass index, weight, height, and even head circumference have been measured since the 1960s.
Not surprisingly, men in the United States have been getting taller.
In the early 1960s, a report stated that "men in the general civilian population average 68.2 inches in height." That's a little over an inch shorter than the average height of adult men today.
Even earlier reports of the average height of men in the United States include that:
Pilgrim men probably averaged about 66 inches (1620)
Native Americans averaged 68 inches (1800s)
Civil War soldiers averaged 67.7 inches (1863)
United States Senators averaged 69.5 inches (1866)
United States soldiers averaged 67.5 inches (1917)
United States army recruits averaged 68.1 inches (1943)
With the number of miles you will drive per year........... buy what fits your wallet.
They sit for years ( at least mine do ) and are there for my personal admiration. I have 1s, 2s and a 3. Buy what trips your trigger. Alternate seats bolt in easily for the absolute got to have room. Happy shopping !
During my C1 research here, it has been mentioned that the later C1's (61-62) have a bit more legroom. What is the consensus from the taller C1 crowd ?
I still REALLY like the rearend of the 58-60 over the duck-tail of the 61-62 but if i cant fit in it whats the point. Also, wanting an AT so working a clutch is not in the equation.
I have a 60 and am 6' 1" , love the car, sooo much fun to drive. But I never put the top on or up unless I am caught in the rain. My seats are old and broken down (but still look nice) and fit me fine. Did go to a smaller 15" wheel. I set down and swing my legs in, works great.
05-23-2017, 11:04 AM
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