interior space?
Thread Starter
5th Gear
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: adelaide south australia
interior space?
hey guys im looking at buying my first corvette, its a black 76 stingray. im a pretty big guy (6'6) and im wondering if ill even be able to get into the driver seat? id go check but its in another state and i cant find another one closer to home.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 5,485
Likes: 7
From: Peekskill NY
No. The seats probably rest on the back cross support of the bird cage already, or will when the seats are slid all the way back.
I'm 6' 3" and I'm comfortable. 6'6" might be more difficult. Tilt & tele column will help.
Best to check one out before you make the trek to check out the 76.
Glenn
I'm 6' 3" and I'm comfortable. 6'6" might be more difficult. Tilt & tele column will help.
Best to check one out before you make the trek to check out the 76.
Glenn
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 30,995
Likes: 98
From: Ontario
I'll be quite candid with you. I'm 6' 1" and 175lbs and barely fit in. You can see the position of my legs: hardly rested on the seat cushion with the seat all the way back. You can get "bum" fatigue very quickly. And I do.
If you have large feet, and the car has an automatic transmission, I can show you another problem.
If you have large feet, and the car has an automatic transmission, I can show you another problem.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 11,358
Likes: 379
From: Plano TX
Back in the day the magazines mentioned GM was proud that "up to a 6-footer" would fit in a C3. I guess at the time that was considered big.
Luckily I'm only 5'10", 155 lbs, so I'm comfortable.
Luckily I'm only 5'10", 155 lbs, so I'm comfortable.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 30,995
Likes: 98
From: Ontario
So...
You are a big person, consider carefully.
Last edited by Paul L; Sep 26, 2010 at 04:14 PM.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every Model vs Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!
Joe Kucinski
2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!
Joe Kucinski
10 Things C8 Corvette Owners Hate (But Won't Tell You)
Joe Kucinski
10 Best Corvettes Coming to Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach 2026!
Brett Foote
Every Corvette Grand Sport Explained! (C2, C4, C6, C7, & C8)
Joe Kucinski
Grand Sport & Grand Sport X Launch Alongside All-New 535hp LS6 V8!
Michael S. Palmer
5 Reasons Bad Drivers Crash & 5 Ways to Avoid a Costly Mistake!
Joe Kucinski
Racer
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 402
Likes: 1
From: Medford NJ
I'm 6'4" and it's a tight fit in my '72 with a 4 speed. If I didn't have tilt wheel, it would be a struggle to get in and out. The seat is back as far as it will go and tilted, and the steering wheel still is very close, telescoped all the way in.
This is where the C6 reigns supreme. That's the one thing I miss about my '05. This conversation takes place often in the C6 forum, and big guys (or very large women
) find it no problem, as long as it's an automatic. The C6's with auto have a very deep well for your left (size 13) foot. But even in those, the seat is all the way back.
It's nice to be blessed with height, except in cases where we need to fit in a car or an airplane. Good luck. Tilt wheel is a MUST in your case. Hopefully you won't have to drive with the d/side T-top off too!
This is where the C6 reigns supreme. That's the one thing I miss about my '05. This conversation takes place often in the C6 forum, and big guys (or very large women
) find it no problem, as long as it's an automatic. The C6's with auto have a very deep well for your left (size 13) foot. But even in those, the seat is all the way back. It's nice to be blessed with height, except in cases where we need to fit in a car or an airplane. Good luck. Tilt wheel is a MUST in your case. Hopefully you won't have to drive with the d/side T-top off too!
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 108
Likes: 1
From: Easton CT
I almost 6'6" and I just make it in my 69 vert with the top up. But to do that I had to remove the drivers seat rails and make flat aluminum bars to replace them, with the seat fixed all the way back and about 1.5" lower. If you are looking at a coupe, it is a little tighter. Also, you need a tilt steering wheel.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 326
Likes: 0
From: Rochester New York
Hi folks
Just the opposite for me, I'm 5'5 or so - I had to fab a set of tall brackets for my '81 because the driver's floor is much lower than the passenger side and I could barely see over the dash lol. Like Big Don said it can be done if you get jiggy with the rails and brackets - maybe you could consider a smaller diameter steering wheel as well?
Just the opposite for me, I'm 5'5 or so - I had to fab a set of tall brackets for my '81 because the driver's floor is much lower than the passenger side and I could barely see over the dash lol. Like Big Don said it can be done if you get jiggy with the rails and brackets - maybe you could consider a smaller diameter steering wheel as well?
Thread Starter
5th Gear
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: adelaide south australia
cheers for all the help guys, i found a 78 today and went and had a look. i managed to get in without to to much effort so i think with the Tilt & tele column as well as lower seat rails etc i should be all good. also i just managed to keep my feet of the brake and gas at the same time so ill probably have to do something there as well.
once again cheers
once again cheers
Pro
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 592
Likes: 55
From: Loxahatchee Florida
I cut out the floor pans and added 4+ inches of front seat legroom..
I also made a custom dashboard that gives me 5 inches more knee room. Now I feel like I have plenty of room and I am 6'4 300+
I also made a custom dashboard that gives me 5 inches more knee room. Now I feel like I have plenty of room and I am 6'4 300+
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 30,995
Likes: 98
From: Ontario
cheers for all the help guys, i found a 78 today and went and had a look. i managed to get in without to to much effort so i think with the Tilt & tele column as well as lower seat rails etc i should be all good. also i just managed to keep my feet of the brake and gas at the same time so ill probably have to do something there as well.
once again cheers
once again cheers
Last edited by Paul L; Sep 27, 2010 at 07:14 PM.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 402
Likes: 1
From: Medford NJ
You're better off with a '78. I had a Pace Car (automatic) and just made it. I bought a '77 Corvette brand new and remember how the turn signal stick jammed right into my left knee constantly. By '78 they wised up and bent the stick up slightly.
