geek49203 wrote:
I tried on an original 7 at a vintage event at Road America. IF memory serves, it was a series 2. First thing I noticed when I finally got my legs slid under the wheel was that my right hand (it was a right-hand drive) was on the ground. The other thing was that, to my amazement, my 6'1" American-sized body actually fit, and I could work the pedals with my size 11 1/2 shoes on.
Unfortunately I don't know my history well enough to say for certain exactly what car I tried on, but while I technically "fit" and could physically operate the pedals...My 6'0" American sized body was literally wedged into the car. My first attempt at sitting ended with my posterior squished between the upper rails and the edges of my hip bone resting not-so-comfortably
on the upper rails. About this time a small crowed started to form much as they would if watching an elephant try to ride a donkey. After lifting myself out enough to make a second go at it, this time I tilted my hips about 30* to the side and barely squeezed them past the top rails with a bit of a 'pop' as I suddenly came to rest on the small cushion beneath me. Admittedly once my hips got past the point of no return, the extra inch or so of width that my body was allowed to fill out against the side panels created what would have been fantastic 'racing seat side bolsters' had I been going for a drive. While I was unable to adjust my body in any way, sitting in the car was not terribly uncomfortably...But I wouldn't want to do it for extended periods of time. While my feet could actuate the pedals (all three at once if I wasn't careful) my legs would have been far more comfortable if my feet could have been moved
behind the pedals. After enjoying a minute or two of sitting in the car, I had to figure out just how to extract myself. Unfortunately once wedged in, its noticeably harder to rock your hips to the side...Which provided another round of amusement for the gathered crowed, who were treated to everything they were waiting for.
So from my point of view, there were a few things about the car that certainly could have been improved upon somewhat...With the footwell definitely being one of them.
Here is a pic of the car in question, if anybody can positively identify it.