Tall guys, help.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 1,231
Likes: 115
From: Yelm Wa
I'm 6' 6" own a '71 convertible, and a '72 coupe.
What I feel would help would be tilt/tele wheel (neither of which my cars have).
I didn't buy these cars for the comfort factor.
Tight fit is an understatement.
What I feel would help would be tilt/tele wheel (neither of which my cars have).
I didn't buy these cars for the comfort factor.
Tight fit is an understatement.
Pro
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 535
Likes: 8
From: London Ontario
Although I am only 6'2" I find the early C3's comfortable. I think the biggest problem tall people have is that they don't feel comfortable fully reclined as these cars were designed. Today's cars have a more upright seating position which isn't possible in a Corvette.
I find you should adjust the seat back first to give yourself the needed headroom. Then slide the seat back and/forward to set your leg length to the pedals. Then adjust the steering wheel for comfort (if equipped with tilt/tel). I do find the size of the steering wheel to be a bit large and can see replacing it with a smaller diameter unit if necessary.
I find you should adjust the seat back first to give yourself the needed headroom. Then slide the seat back and/forward to set your leg length to the pedals. Then adjust the steering wheel for comfort (if equipped with tilt/tel). I do find the size of the steering wheel to be a bit large and can see replacing it with a smaller diameter unit if necessary.
Racer
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 469
Likes: 24
From: Kansas City KS
Keys to success:
buy earlier car, more headroom
buy glass tops for more headroom
replace steering wheel with smaller one
automatic transmission
tilt/tele steering wheel
That will help you get enough room.
buy earlier car, more headroom
buy glass tops for more headroom
replace steering wheel with smaller one
automatic transmission
tilt/tele steering wheel
That will help you get enough room.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 4,101
Likes: 10
From: NorCal
A smaller wheel helps entry and egress, but the seat positions is the problem. New, custom race seats bolted directly to the floor are better, you get the 2-3 inch drop that you need, and you can move them back further. A convertible top helps (no liners), and you can remove the headliner in the hardtop on a convertible body.
I'm 6'-2" with a 'vert and I have no problems, but if I put a helmet on, it hits the hardtop. Car isn't legal for track days anyway (yet- roll bar is coming), but a good seat will fix that for me.
Hans
I'm 6'-2" with a 'vert and I have no problems, but if I put a helmet on, it hits the hardtop. Car isn't legal for track days anyway (yet- roll bar is coming), but a good seat will fix that for me.
Hans
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,238
Likes: 288
From: ESCONDIDO CA
2025 C2 of the Year ('63 and '67) Finalist - Unmodified
C2 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
Most important for my convertible was a tilt wheel.
Then shorten the turn signal and tilt lever so your left knee
can move for the clutch---it can be done.
Then shorten the turn signal and tilt lever so your left knee
can move for the clutch---it can be done.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 4,206
Likes: 8
From: Belmar NJ
It's not your overall size, but where you bend (all leg, all torso or evenly divided) I'm in the later group. I did all the things mentioned above ( tilt column, smaller wheel, glass tops) and while this might be a bit radical for some, I cut the floorpan on my '77 and dropped it until it touched the cross member. I picked up another 1 1/2".
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Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 49
Likes: 0
From: Moreno Valley California
I'm 6'1" and have a convertible, so there's all the head room I need. However, with the top up, my head tries to poke through, so I just removed the convertible top. I think tilt steering might help get me some more leg room. I never thought of removing the seat rails until I read this post, I might try this out. I also feel like I need more "foot" room. It's a pretty tight fit with size 14 shoes and a stick shift.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,100
Likes: 12
From: Frederick Maryland
I'm 6'3" and used to own a '78 coupe...unless I crouched the top of my head was out of the roof and I could only see the top of the windshield frame. I sold that car but still have my '69 convertible...plenty of headroom. That applies with the soft top up as well...more headroom.
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 108
Likes: 1
From: Easton CT
I'm 6'5" and have a 69 vert with tilt tele. Most of my height is in my upper body, so with the tilt tele my legs are fine and the clutch is no problem. But with the top up my head touches the roof fabric. So i took out the seat rails and replaced them with flat aluminum bars givings me 1.5" and now my head just clears the top. Even so, I look ridiculous getting in and out of the car with the top up. So mostly its a top down car for me.
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 41
Likes: 0
From: Bellevue IA
6'-5" with a '70 coupe and tilt steering. I never drive it with the t-tops on so head clearance isn't an issue. But i need to slouch quite a bit in the seat so my line of sight is under the windshield header.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 40,353
Likes: 787
From: Redondo Beach, California
Suggest contacting mrvette. (Gene) I think he's 6' 4." He will detail everything he did to fit into his C3. I believe he actually moved part of the firewall forward in addition to all the other obvious stuff.
I'm 6' 2"...and even being such a shorty, I have some problem getting into my 68. The 16 inch steering wheel on the 68 doesn't help getting in. My size 12 shoes really don't work out well....they are too big. I drive the 68 with my shoes off. I really like driving with my left and right foot in socks. I can wrap my toes around the brake pedal for a firm grip on the manual brake pedal. Similarly, I wrap my toes around the clutch pedal for really good clutch control. Sometimes I have my toes wrapped around the clutch (left toes) and the brake (right toes) all at the same time..for braking and shifting. I have manual brakes, and being able to wrap my toes around the brake pedal gives me a lot of control. Don't have to worry about my shoes slipping off the brake or clutch pedals.
I used to have a 69 coupe with a clone L88 engine in it. This is when I first started driving shoeless. It had a really stiff clutch.
I'm 6' 2"...and even being such a shorty, I have some problem getting into my 68. The 16 inch steering wheel on the 68 doesn't help getting in. My size 12 shoes really don't work out well....they are too big. I drive the 68 with my shoes off. I really like driving with my left and right foot in socks. I can wrap my toes around the brake pedal for a firm grip on the manual brake pedal. Similarly, I wrap my toes around the clutch pedal for really good clutch control. Sometimes I have my toes wrapped around the clutch (left toes) and the brake (right toes) all at the same time..for braking and shifting. I have manual brakes, and being able to wrap my toes around the brake pedal gives me a lot of control. Don't have to worry about my shoes slipping off the brake or clutch pedals.
I used to have a 69 coupe with a clone L88 engine in it. This is when I first started driving shoeless. It had a really stiff clutch.
Last edited by 68/70Vette; Feb 9, 2015 at 11:11 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,626
Likes: 140
From: Kanuckistan
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
6'6" here, my solutions so far :
-Glass/Plexiglass T-Top
-Shaved seat bottom foam (Fiero's)
-Removed seat track
-Later steering column (1 inch shorter).
I'm seriously considering cutting and lowering the whole floorpan.
-Glass/Plexiglass T-Top
-Shaved seat bottom foam (Fiero's)
-Removed seat track
-Later steering column (1 inch shorter).
I'm seriously considering cutting and lowering the whole floorpan.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 6,196
Likes: 58
From: Denton, Texas
Easily 1-2 inches of extra head room. I took mine off (I am 74 inches) when the car was being painted and sat in the car it was like I was in a truck. 
....but they're back on now.
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 106
Likes: 0
I almost feel sorry for you guys. I'm only a couple of inches north of "midget" and feel like my 73 is built around me. I can't imagine being tall and trying to get comfy in the C3 cockpit. But you tall guys get enough breaks in life, leave the C3s for us little folk.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 831
Likes: 54
From: Arlington TX
I'm 6 ft 5 in.
I know I fit in newer Corvettes but for several reasons I'd like a C3. Is there anything that can be done simply to get 2-3 inches of leg and head room in these cars? I don't want to tear anything up or have thousands of dollars in it.
I found a few posts on different models but not these.
Thanks,
I know I fit in newer Corvettes but for several reasons I'd like a C3. Is there anything that can be done simply to get 2-3 inches of leg and head room in these cars? I don't want to tear anything up or have thousands of dollars in it.
I found a few posts on different models but not these.
Thanks,
I'm still toying with the idea for my own ride. I barely fit at 6'3"
Only $450
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 831
Likes: 54
From: Arlington TX
Been thinking about doing this since day one.
Thanks!