1979 C3 suitable for Tall Drivers?
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
1979 C3 suitable for Tall Drivers?
Hi,
I had a 1994 C4 before and did not really fit in it. My head pressed into the headliner. Is anyone 6'3" or taller comfortably driving a late model C3? I really don't want to drive a Smart car, just because the head room is great. And a C5, C6, or C7 is not in the budget.
Thanks for any help!
Andy
I had a 1994 C4 before and did not really fit in it. My head pressed into the headliner. Is anyone 6'3" or taller comfortably driving a late model C3? I really don't want to drive a Smart car, just because the head room is great. And a C5, C6, or C7 is not in the budget.
Thanks for any help!
Andy
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 220
Likes: 17
From: Pasadena MD
Hi,
I had a 1994 C4 before and did not really fit in it. My head pressed into the headliner. Is anyone 6'3" or taller comfortably driving a late model C3? I really don't want to drive a Smart car, just because the head room is great. And a C5, C6, or C7 is not in the budget.
Thanks for any help!
Andy
I had a 1994 C4 before and did not really fit in it. My head pressed into the headliner. Is anyone 6'3" or taller comfortably driving a late model C3? I really don't want to drive a Smart car, just because the head room is great. And a C5, C6, or C7 is not in the budget.
Thanks for any help!
Andy
Instructor
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 127
Likes: 1
From: Land o Lakes Florida
Hi,
I had a 1994 C4 before and did not really fit in it. My head pressed into the headliner. Is anyone 6'3" or taller comfortably driving a late model C3? I really don't want to drive a Smart car, just because the head room is great. And a C5, C6, or C7 is not in the budget.
Thanks for any help!
Andy
I had a 1994 C4 before and did not really fit in it. My head pressed into the headliner. Is anyone 6'3" or taller comfortably driving a late model C3? I really don't want to drive a Smart car, just because the head room is great. And a C5, C6, or C7 is not in the budget.
Thanks for any help!
Andy
Last edited by marc1973; Jan 13, 2015 at 03:09 PM.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 664
Likes: 89
From: Marysville Ohio
I/m 6'2" - I have a 79 with glass T-Tops, no real issues. Only ting is that at stoplights the header bar might obscure my view (the glass tops help with this though).
I have good seat foam and stock seats (new foam replacements) and so don't sit lower to the floor than I should. Not srue if that ehlps, but you can always look into a seat change. Should not be hard in these cars, as long as you find a seat that is the same width.
I have good seat foam and stock seats (new foam replacements) and so don't sit lower to the floor than I should. Not srue if that ehlps, but you can always look into a seat change. Should not be hard in these cars, as long as you find a seat that is the same width.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,590
Likes: 403
From: Nashville TN
St. Jude Donor '09
Pro
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 707
Likes: 31
From: Pitman NJ
I/m 6'2" - I have a 79 with glass T-Tops, no real issues. Only ting is that at stoplights the header bar might obscure my view (the glass tops help with this though).
I have good seat foam and stock seats (new foam replacements) and so don't sit lower to the floor than I should. Not srue if that ehlps, but you can always look into a seat change. Should not be hard in these cars, as long as you find a seat that is the same width.
I have good seat foam and stock seats (new foam replacements) and so don't sit lower to the floor than I should. Not srue if that ehlps, but you can always look into a seat change. Should not be hard in these cars, as long as you find a seat that is the same width.
I'm 6'2" also, but I don't have glass t-tops in my '79. I have no real issue's either.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 11,608
Likes: 780
From: Eustis ( Area 51 Bat Cave ) Fl
C3 vs later years comes up a lot,
in this case I have to ask,
You can get into a comparable quality c3 for less than a c5-c6?
I am 6.2 never had an issue in my cars even the GT-40,
As I get older I do not tend to spring in and out as I once did,
in this case I have to ask,
You can get into a comparable quality c3 for less than a c5-c6?
I am 6.2 never had an issue in my cars even the GT-40,
As I get older I do not tend to spring in and out as I once did,
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Verdad Gallardo
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 12,399
Likes: 247
From: San Jose CA
I'm 6'2 and torso tall. Driving the C3 is pretty good. when I redid the seats (78 Pace Car), the new foam made things a bit uncomfortable on bumpy roads. I definitely hit my head from time to time.
Leg room is not a problem at all, nor is getting in and out. I can not drive the car with a helmet on and t-tops on - the few times I've raced it I've had to take the driver's side top off.
Leg room is not a problem at all, nor is getting in and out. I can not drive the car with a helmet on and t-tops on - the few times I've raced it I've had to take the driver's side top off.
Heel & Toe
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 23
Likes: 1
From: Fox Valley area Wisconsin
fit
My 2cents: 6'5 200lbs 74 coupe, manual, orginal interior, tilt & telescope column. I fit, no headrm issues. Leave lots of room to open door all the way, makes getting in and out easier. Door handle & headlite bright switch on floor give me problems which will be modded this spring.
74TTop
74TTop
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 7,353
Likes: 72
From: Graceland in a Not Correctly Restored Stingray
I'm 6'2 and torso tall. Driving the C3 is pretty good. when I redid the seats (78 Pace Car), the new foam made things a bit uncomfortable on bumpy roads. I definitely hit my head from time to time.
Leg room is not a problem at all, nor is getting in and out. I can not drive the car with a helmet on and t-tops on - the few times I've raced it I've had to take the driver's side top off.
Leg room is not a problem at all, nor is getting in and out. I can not drive the car with a helmet on and t-tops on - the few times I've raced it I've had to take the driver's side top off.
This brings up an all to often overlooked ergonomic factor whenever seating comes up for discussion, that there is no set torso/leg ratio shared by all persons of any particular overall height. Case in point: I'm only 5'10", but sit a couple of inches taller in the saddle than my 6'2" dad, so I'm "torso tall" myself (my dad is all legs). So, there's a bit more to any headroom (or legroom) issues than one's simple height. My $.02
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 987
Likes: 7
From: Surrey British Columbia
Something to consider, as you get older... YOU SHRINK!!! I'm 1" shorter than I was when I owned my first '80. In another 30 years I'll probably need a booster seat to see over the dash. 
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 4,101
Likes: 10
From: NorCal
Hi,
I had a 1994 C4 before and did not really fit in it. My head pressed into the headliner. Is anyone 6'3" or taller comfortably driving a late model C3? I really don't want to drive a Smart car, just because the head room is great. And a C5, C6, or C7 is not in the budget.
Thanks for any help!
Andy
I had a 1994 C4 before and did not really fit in it. My head pressed into the headliner. Is anyone 6'3" or taller comfortably driving a late model C3? I really don't want to drive a Smart car, just because the head room is great. And a C5, C6, or C7 is not in the budget.
Thanks for any help!
Andy
I do plan to occasionally race mine, and a hardtop (as well as a roll bar) are required, and on initial testing I will not fit with a helmet on. I'm hard against the top, so I'm looking at seat options.
Hans