RyanC1

Hey all! This is my first post, I am 16 and looking to go with my mom and brother the weekend before my fathers birthday to buy him his dream car, a C1 Corvette. We all worked really hard to get the money to buy it for him because he has been driving his 79 Truck forever. We are worried he might not fit in it though, he is around 6'3" and 275lbs. He's not a small guy and we're wondering if any of you out there are similar and size and fit into the Corvette.

Thanks!

GTOguy

The '61 and '62's have more room than the earlier cars. Randy G on this forum is a big guy and spent years driving the early cars. You may want to ask him!

Little red 63

It may be a tight fit, especially with the large stock steering wheel and if top is up. C2’s have more room yet.

Frankie the Fink

That’s pushing the size limit. I have a 6’1” friend that drives his 61 from Florida to Maryland every couple of years. If Dad is big around the middle the “school bus” non-adjustable steering wheel could be an issue. Smaller ones are available though.

If if it doesn’t work out for him I am willing to adopt you and I’m just 5’7” and 175lbs.

Im just sayin’

RyanC1

Haha

RyanC1

Do people make mods that'd fit him better like a shorter steering column? He hates the C2 body style. What part would be a tight fit, legroom, width, headroom?

smd001

I'm 6'1" and 280. I fit, at 6'3" its gonna be tight and he will have an issue with the top up. My head bounces off the soft top when it's up. Hard top is not an issue. I added a smaller steering wheel which helps with the gut. To get in with the top up, I go head first from driver over to the passenger side and then swing my legs in. Simple solution, keep the top down which is how mine stays as it only gets out on nice days. Still the top of my head is above the windshield but despite this I love the car and your Dad will too.

There are replacement cushions you can buy that add room and also Dave Kindig from Bitch'n Rides supposedly has a new seat frame coming out that adds two inches to leg room.

BTW, your Dad has an awesome family.

Frankie the Fink

Some remove the springs from the seat bottom and just sit on the foam. It’ll get you another 3”-4” or more.

Dreaming60’s

You can install a 15" steering wheel, which will allow some additional thigh room and help getting in and out. Prices run $300-500 for this smaller wheel and Corvette Corrections has a really nice leather covered wheel for $300. Al Knoch makes some custom seats ($3200+ for pair) that will add a couple extra inches of legroom, but it's still going to be a tight. Top down won't be bad for entry and exit, but top up is going to be tight. If your dad is active, limber and able to bend without issues, he can do it, but he will fill it up. Your dad is a big guy.

Whatever you do, please ask for some opinions on the cars you find before you buy. There are some real stinkers out there and you don't need one of those.

BH

Audiophobe

I'm a big guy myself, 6'2" and 230lb.
First, it is snug but you get used to it.
But........... I needed new seats and I ordered special Al Knock seats that have a concavity cut out of the seat bottom that adds 2-3 inches of leg room which is more significant than you think.
Some people have switched to a 15" steering wheel (from the standard 17") which may help with knee (and belly) room which I have never tried. Of course (and again I don't know) it could make the steering by Armstrong more challenging.

Factoid

I’m 6’4” and 220, so not as, um, broad as your dad. My ‘61 had PS with a 15” steering wheel, PB, AK seats and was an automatic (this is important as I think he will have a real issue shifting a stick car at his size).

I recently sold it as the fit in my C2’s is so much better.

68hemi

Actually I think the smaller steering wheel has little to do with the size of your gut but rather gives more room for working the pedals AND getting your legs under the steering wheel getting in the car.

Frankie the Fink

The “concavity” is factory for 61/62 cars. It’s not something special.

Audiophobe

C2's are a better fit but I had to have a C1 and worse I had to have a 58.
The 15" wheel would def help with the knees.
PS with a 15" wheel is a different animal.
BTW, my car is a four speed.

Audiophobe

Frankie, for a 58 it's something very special! It has the 58 upolstery and I ordered it with leather, so it is indeed.

65GGvert

I promise his head will hit the cross bow in the top, and he will have a hard time getting in, specially with the top up. Once he's in, his legs will be against the bottom of the steering wheel and he will have to tilt his left leg to the left to get it on the clutch. The lever for the air vent under the windshield will hit against his right leg when on the accelerator. With the top down the bar on top of the windshield will be in his vision and he'll have to slump down or stretch up to see over it. It's not uncomfortable once your in, bit with the large wheel against his thighs and having to move your leg to the left to clear it to release the clutch is something you have to work around. Even with the large wheel it's still hard to turn the wheel without power steering when moving at slow speed (parking or back into a space).

I fight these things every time I drive it, but I try to always leave the top down and everything else is workable. I still drive it whenever I can and I have fun 100% of the time. I think your father really needs to drive one before the effort and expense goes into a purchase. If he drives it and says it's not a problem, you're in business.

PS. I applaud your effort to do this for your father and he may be happy with it no matter what the fit. I know I am.

Frankie the Fink

I guess I’ll be the one to just come out and say it.

Dad won’t enjoy driving an unmodified C1.

Audiophobe

I more or less agree with all of the above.
I almost never drive with the convertible up and when I do it's workable.
The hardtop is better.
I love driving it and always, always look forward to it unless it's raining. Needless to say I always check the weather.
But, it sure ain't like driving an Audi.

RyanC1

He needs a C1, I do not care what mods I have to do, I will make him fit.

Audiophobe

I get it.
My car was not a smart purchase. It was however they only choice.