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I'd appreciate any help. I am in the market for a C1. My question is regarding the C1 driver seat and legroom. I have been told, but unconfirmed, that the '61 and '62 models have roughly 1.5 inches more legroom, the '62 has a slightly wider driver door, a that only the '62 driver seat slides back slightly.
Can anyone confirm of comment for me? This will help me narrow my search.
I think the 61-62 cars have longer (front to back) doors which makes it easier to get in but I may be wrong.
How tall are you?
I have shrunk from 5"11" over the years to 5'1/4" and my brother is 6' tall with longer legs. He has a harder time getting in and out of my 57 then me and his knees touch the dash in the passenger seat whereas mine don't.
Here is the best way to get in a C1.
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’m 6’4” and have a ‘61. I wish it had another 2” of legroom, but it’s not bad (most of my height is in my legs (36” inseam). The bigger issue is the size of the steering wheel and it’s almost vertical placement. With the stock steering wheel, I could barely drive a 61/62. I have a Jim Meyer front subframe with power steering, Ididit column and a 15” aftermarket wheel that looks like the original. That made all the difference in the world! The car is a joy to drive once I’m in and not a freak show when I get out.
There is a seat you can purchase from Al Knoch, that gives about another 1.5" legroom, but it's expensive. I believe you're looking at close to $3K for the pair and they can be upholstered to look very, very close to the stock seats. The 15" steering wheel is a great mod for the $$$ too. I installed one from Con2R a few weeks back and it has made a tremendous difference. No more bumping the wheel on shifts or when applying the brakes and much easier egress. So, there are things that can be done to increase comfort in the cockpit.
BH
Last edited by Dreaming60’s; 07-13-2018 at 09:17 PM.
I think it's a matter of where your height is.. I'm 6'3" with an inseam of 34".. I fit (with not much room to spare in either dimension) into my '61. The seat is adjustable.. and it's "all back".
I did go with a 15" wheel.. but I could still drive the car with the stock wheel. it just makes it slightly more comfortable. The main problem was my thigh hitting the bottom of the wheel when working the clutch.
My head 'just barely clears' the top (both hardtop and soft).
I'm 6'1'' and 70 years old. I can comfortably drive my 62 all day long. We put a lot of miles on the car every year and I would rather ride in it that my new cars. I do have a 15.5" steering wheel which does make it nicer to drive. The easiest method for getting into the car is, face almost forward, place your right foot into the car, then bend forward to allow you to duck under the top frame, sit down and bring your left leg in. If the top is down, then you don't have to do the bend.
The 53-60 cars had essentially the same seats (driver side only was adjustable on 53-55).
The 53-57 cars had the longer steering column (by 2-3in) which puts the steering wheel closer (may be a challenge for bigger bellys).
the 58-62 cars had the shorter steering column. That helped.
The 61-62 cars have the BEST seats. They are lower and go further back because the 61-62 seats are a TOTALLY different, and improved, design. Thus, the greatest leg and head room is in the 61-62 cars.
I have the AKO seats from Al Knock and a Flaming River wheel and Ididit column with a rack and pinion steering system, the car is a joy to drive with ac and easy to get on and out ..with the steering column positioned as far forward as possible and the AKO seats you have plenty of room
the right foot in first is the best way to get in
I have a 60, I am 6'3" and have the old mans belly to go with it. I wish the car had a tilt wheel, that would make a bunch of difference. That is on my plans to do. Car has Al Knock AKO seats and a 15" wheel. I started with an IDIDIT column in the car but after doing some measurements of column and adapter I found that the Flaming River column/adapter was about 1/4"-3/8" shorter. So I put that in the car....but now my knee can hit the steering wheel when I shift...hence the tilt wheel next coupled with DashWorks instrument pod.....I still drive it but I know that I need to move my knee to the left when shifting......
Which provides more headroom in a 61/62, soft top or hard top?
Also, I’ve read that the stock 61/62 seats are the same dimensions as the aftermarket seats sold to provide more leg/Head room in the earlier C1’s. Can anyone confirm?
The 53-60 cars had essentially the same seats (driver side only was adjustable on 53-55).
The 53-57 cars had the longer steering column (by 2-3in) which puts the steering wheel closer (may be a challenge for bigger bellys).
the 58-62 cars had the shorter steering column. That helped.
The 61-62 cars have the BEST seats. They are lower and go further back because the 61-62 seats are a TOTALLY different, and improved, design. Thus, the greatest leg and head room is in the 61-62 cars.
That may be true Tom (and my favorite year is a '61) but I tried to drive a stock '62 once and had to give up for safety reasons. At 5' 18" with a 36" inseam there was absolutely no way I could use the brake and clutch pedals. (C2s - no problem)
Head room is about the same, but the soft top gives, the HT doesn't. Also, its much easier to raise/lower the ST than R&R the HT. A HT is semi permanent, IMO. I like it best though, as it is quieter.
Doug
Originally Posted by Factoid
Which provides more headroom in a 61/62, soft top or hard top?
Also, I’ve read that the stock 61/62 seats are the same dimensions as the aftermarket seats sold to provide more leg/Head room in the earlier C1’s. Can anyone confirm?
Way, way back when, I was getting my seats reupholstered and the upholsterer was taking so long, i drove the car with out any seats at all for while, just sitting on the floor.
It was like a C3 experience as far as how much higher the door comes up your body.
Doug
07-13-2018, 06:59 PM
C1 legroom question
