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”an additional inch of seat travel as well as a greater recline angle that is double that of the C7 seat.”
This only helps if you can fit under the b-pillar then
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Original Post:
Mods please consider making this a sticky. This will serve as a repository of tips/tricks for taller folks etc.If you're under 6' kindly refrain.
Please post the following:
Height:
Weight:
Inseam Length:
Notes of interest:
Personal Data:
Height - 6'4" Weight - varies between 250-270.
Inseam - 34"
Note of interest - I have very broad shoulders and played football growing up
I have owned 5 Corvettes to include 4 C5s and 1 C7 Z51. I fit in all of them with a helmet on. The best was the 2001 Z06 before the headliner got the extra hump for 2002-2004. However, they have all been workable over the years.
My insights as a tall Corvette owner:
1. SEAT POSITIONING EXPECTATIONS RELATIVE TO B-PILLAR
The C7/8 have an aggressively sloping roof line. You ARE NOT INTENDED TO SIT BELOW THE B-PILLAR. If you look, you will see that the most head room is under the targa panel itself. The further back you go the worse it get as you get into the targa panel frame and then the p-pillar trim. If you push your head back and you brush the b-pillar trim this is totally normal/expected. (see pictures below)
2. MAKE SURE THE SEAT IS TRULY ALL THE WAY DOWN
The C7 has a limit switch pressure pad under the rear carpet. I'm nearly certain the C8 does too. This means once tripped, the seat won't move down or back at all. In many instances, tall people are trying to sit in the car and the seat isn't all the way down. You need to move the seat forward off the pressure pad then get it all the way down. Remember the seat base switch controls two downward movements: the front controls the incline of the seat base and the rear controls the overall height of the seat. Make sure both of these are 100% full down. Then move the seat base back, then recline the seat back... from there you may find you need to come forward a little to get your head out of the b-pillar trim.
I have not sat in a C8 yet, but over the years I've had countless people express surprise I could fit in a C7 on track. I've also helped many get a better fit in their C7 and it makes a world of difference.
Over the years of the C8 development I have been getting some info from a source... that source PMed me last night after seeing the posts people have made about not fitting he says:
I am 6'4" and built like a retired out of shape linebacker - 275lbs. I fit in my C7, but it is tight and I can't wear a helmet in my C7. In the C8 I had a solid 3 additional inches of headroom, the footwell also seemed more roomy, possibly since there is no clutch pedal, but it seemed more roomy for my feet. The egress is also better for entrance and exit of the car for me.
I think everyone should make every attempt to get in the car, it is vastly different from the C7 - but I think in a good way. Tall folks should definitely give it a try and not consider the C7 the benchmark for fit or not.
Me tracking my C7 with a helmet. Notice I am under the targa, not back by the quarter glass where the b-pillar is.
C8 has a similar sloping roof line to the C7. Going further back won't help.
This gentleman stated he is 6'3". Notice he is ahead of the b-pillar... not under.
6'2" Reviewer with plenty of room. Notice the targa panel frame and then b-pillar behind it have less room.
6'2" Reviewer with plenty of room. Notice the targa panel frame and then b-pillar behind it have less room.
6'2" Reviewer with plenty of room. Notice the targa panel frame and then b-pillar behind it have less room.
* End of the day I understand everyone is built different some some folks truly won't fit.
** Discussion of lower the seat is moot. The seat motors and controls are already on the floor. The only real option would be a custom seat base cushion.
Shoe size might also be relevant since supposedly the wheel well is smaller thanks to front wheel well intrusion into the passenger compartment, hence not being able to have a third pedal for a manual transmission.
Height - 6'4" Shoe Size: 15 Weight - currently 320 (waist = 44"), but on the weight-loss track to get back below 250 (Waist 36-38") Inseam - 34" Notes of interest - I have very broad shoulders. Unfortunately, dad wouldn't let me play football since he never knew anyone who didn't come away with some form of permanent injury, but I have always lifted weights since 9th grade (I just turned 51 this month). I have never been able to wear a helmet in any of my Corvettes. No problems in my '99 Trans Am wearing a helmet.
C8 tour lands at Classic Chevrolet in Sugerland, TX in November, so I will report back then.
EDIT: This ZR1 is my 4th Corvette. I've had a 2003 C5 Z06, 2006 Z51 Coupe, 2008 Z06 and now the 2010 ZR1. I also have a C5 Coupe in the garage at the moment, but it belongs to my mother-in-law who can't drive it anymore. I have in the past driven a 1967 427 Tri-Power roadster and a 1978 C3 Coupe with no problems (granted, I was 80 pounds lighter in the C2). The first Vette I have ever had trouble getting into was the C7. I did ride shotgun in a C4 one time, and although I fit, my knees were squarely in the dash.
Last edited by VetteVinnie; 07-23-2019 at 10:32 AM.
I'm 6'4" tall with a 34" inseam and weigh in at 260lbs. I fit in my C7 after doing the seat adjustment dance but I would not have been able to wear a helmet comfortably. I expect that the C8 will fit me, I just need to mess with the seat controls to get it low enough. I am torn between the GT2 seats and the Comps right now because the GT2's look very nice with all of the adjustments and perforation for ventilation while the comps look a bit thinner in the seat foam which would give a bit of extra head room.
Boardwalk Chevrolet in San Jose will have a demo C8 in September according to their salesman but I am hoping some other dealer a little closer might get it sooner.
I'm 6'4" tall with a 34" inseam and weigh in at 260lbs. I fit in my C7 after doing the seat adjustment dance but I would not have been able to wear a helmet comfortably. I expect that the C8 will fit me, I just need to mess with the seat controls to get it low enough. I am torn between the GT2 seats and the Comps right now because the GT2's look very nice with all of the adjustments and perforation for ventilation while the comps look a bit thinner in the seat foam which would give a bit of extra head room.
Boardwalk Chevrolet in San Jose will have a demo C8 in September according to their salesman but I am hoping some other dealer a little closer might get it sooner.
The comp seat thigh bolsters look way too aggressive for me based on how narrow the actual "butt" area is. I think I'd be sitting on them vs. in them. I'm getting a 1LT anyway.
A side note about the B-Pillar, my 2003 Z06 was such that I could never put my head against the headrest. C5 Coupe and C6, no problem. I was always concerned in my C5Z that in the event of a rear-end collision, I'd break my neck. I need to be able to lay my head back against the headrest for peace of mind (and comfort on longer drives). That said, even with my head under the targa, I still could not wear a helmet.
A side note about the B-Pillar, my 2003 Z06 was such that I could never put my head against the headrest. C5 Coupe and C6, no problem. I was always concerned in my C5Z that in the event of a rear-end collision, I'd break my neck. I need to be able to lay my head back against the headrest for peace of mind (and comfort on longer drives). That said, even with my head under the targa, I still could not wear a helmet.
Fun fact... the 2001 Z06 had a different headliner. Then in mid 2002 they put that headliner in that was 2" lower in the rear and tall people had issues. It was due to crash testing that showed people's heads could whip back and get stuck between the seat and the roof. You'll also notice that later C5Z's got a rectangular plastic hump over the seat belt anchor on the b-pillar. Same reason.
Great thread I'm 6:4 230lbs 15 shoe size 32 waist and wide shoulder, If I was able to fit in the 7 corvettes I've had before including the C7 i will make it work, I made it work in a GEN. 2 Viper and those things were ridiculously small inside, take out the foam, sit the seat on the ground, whatever it takes im getting this monster, beautiful car love what GM did and its AMERICAN...................
This is true unless you can lower the the seat enough as I said before if there is a will there is a way, there are to many options and ideas to resolve this issue, there is a thread where a 6:3 guy started he states he will not buy the car because it is not a perfect fit, I will not let my size keep me from enjoying in my opinion the best American sports car and in my opinion one of the best looking Corvettes in their 66 year history.
This is true unless you can lower the the seat enough as I said before if there is a will there is a way, there are to many options and ideas to resolve this issue, there is a thread where a 6:3 guy started he states he will not buy the car because it is not a perfect fit, I will not let my size keep me from enjoying in my opinion the best American sports car and in my opinion one of the best looking Corvettes in their 66 year history.
My C7 seat wouldn't go any lower... the seat electronics etc. are already on the carpet. the only option would be shaving the foam in the seat base. I'm not putting a race seat in a GT car that I intend to drive a lot.
This is true unless you can lower the the seat enough as I said before if there is a will there is a way, there are to many options and ideas to resolve this issue, there is a thread where a 6:3 guy started he states he will not buy the car because it is not a perfect fit, I will not let my size keep me from enjoying in my opinion the best American sports car and in my opinion one of the best looking Corvettes in their 66 year history.
The fact that it's automatic only helps because part of the challenge with me is I love manual transmissions, so there needs to be enough room to manipulate the clutch. Even in my C6, if I'm not careful my left hand can get caught between my thigh and the steering wheel if I have the wheel set too close to my lap. I need to keep it at a notch just above the dash. The square wheel and auto only in C8 would help with this. My wife's Solstice GXP was also a manual, and that thing was a major PITA to drive, but it was fun as hell since it handled like a go kart.
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Last edited by VetteVinnie; 07-23-2019 at 02:36 PM.
I'm 6'1. 240. It was a tight fit in the C7Z. I had the seat all the way back and down. I fit, but man, if I was another inch or two, it would of been a super tight fit. We'll see how it is with the C8
Height: 6'-4"
Weight: 255 lbs
Inseam Length: 34"
Shoe Size: 14
Helmet: Not possible in a C7
Notes of interest:
I have pretty broad shoulders, and could stand to lose a few (uh-hum) but I find my C7 Z06 M7 Convertible w/ Comp Seats to be very comfortable...though my knees are MAYBE 1/2 an inch from the dash as it cuts below. I have gravitated towards the Verts due to the lack of a B Pillar, though I have owned C4/C5/C6/C7 Coupes at some point. I have been to Spring Mountain twice, and a helmet was a not possible. A helmet pushes my chin down firmly into my sternum...not the best position for driving at high speeds on a track. I had to get a waiver to do the COS without one.
With the top up in my convertible, my hair brushes the top if it is longer (though in the Summer months I usually buzz it).
Very curious to see how the taller guys fit, after the tours start documenting. I'd LOVE for someone to make a point of getting photos and video in a C8 and then IMMEDIATLEY jump in a C7 for comparison with Photos/vidoe. just a thought.
07-23-2019, 09:33 AM
**The OFFICIAL C8 tall people thread**
