New to the Forum with a Question

[plbs1234]

I am interested in the Lotus 7 having admired the car for years. I've heard that the cockpit on the 7 was designed around Colin Chapman's stature and that the car might be difficult for me to drive.

I'm 6'-3" tall and weigh 205 pounds. My question is, would I be able to fit in and comfortably drive a Lotus 7 or a standard Caterham without too much trouble? I have a 1952 Jag XK120 and it is a tight fit for me to drive it.

I did visit Caterham in Denver on my last trip there and did get a chance to drive the SV model. I had no trouble fitting in it, but most of the ad's I see for used Se7ens are not the SV model.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for the help.

Best regards,

Paul Mascuch

[MHKflyer52]

I am interested in the Lotus 7 having admired the car for years. I've heard that the cockpit on the 7 was designed around Colin Chapman's stature and that the car might be difficult for me to drive.

I'm 6'-3" tall and weigh 205 pounds. My question is, would I be able to fit in and comfortably drive a Lotus 7 or a standard Caterham without too much trouble? I have a 1952 Jag XK120 and it is a tight fit for me to drive it.

I did visit Caterham in Denver on my last trip there and did get a chance to drive the SV model. I had no trouble fitting in it, but most of the ad's I see for used Se7ens are not the SV model.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for the help.

Best regards,

Paul Mascuch

Hi Paul,

I can only speak for myself and the fit of my car to me. I do not have a Caterham but a hand build replica that has the same dimensions of a 1963 Lotus 7 and I am 74.5 inches tall and weigh 220 lbs and fit in my car just fine. I think it al depends on the seat and the size of the steering wheel as how one fits in a 7. A friend has a base model Caterham 7 and I also fit in it very nicely. He happens to have a removable steering wheel that is only 10.5 inches across so it is actually easier to get in and out of his car that it is mine as I have a 13 inch diameter steering wheel. His seat has also been modified so that he sits lower in it to keep his head lower than the roll-bar. I would have to remove the lower cushion to have my head below the top of the roll-bar in his car as he has the factory bar on his car and with my helmet on the roll-bar is just even with the top of my helmet unless I slouch down which is not what you want when your driving for more than one reason. As for hip room in my car and his I actually feel like I have more room in his Caterham than I have in my car most likely due to the difference in the seats. I also wear an 11.5 street shoe and have no problems with either my cars peddles or his cars peddles but again I think it is something you become accustom to once you have one of these car for any time.
Hope this helps and I know others will post what they have experienced so you can weigh the differences that people have experienced.

[yellowss7]

I have a standard Caterham and I'm 6'1" and 225lbs. You should fit nicely hip wise, but you probably will have to remove the bottom seat cushion and either make a foam seat or use a thin pad to get you lower. Otherwise you will be looking over the windscreen, and may have trouble with your legs hitting the steering wheel.

I Have a removable 280mm Momo wheel that gives me some added room. Shoe size will also determine your "fit". You will most definately need to wear a racing shoe of some sort to be able to get the brake pedal.

In street shoes, there is no way I can drive with size 11's.

The SV seems huge to me in comparision. I don't like the extra hip room, but I do like the wider pedal box.

Good luck with your search.

Tom

[plbs1234]

Mrtin -

Thank you very much for your reply. It sounds like I may be able to fit in a standard Caterham. I'll have to see if I can find someone who would let me sit in their car. This is encouraging.

Paul

[EviLRome0]

consider other 7 brands besides caterham. i know the some builders like WORLD CLASS MOTORSPORTS can pretty much build the chassy for your fit.

[athens7]

I'm 5'9", 190 lb., 36 inch waist, size 9 shoe. I was NOT comfortable in a Caterham S3. The SV has a little room on each side for my backside, and plenty of room in the foot box. I found the S3 foot box to be very narrow, to the point my shoe hit the gas, brake, and tranny tunnel when I went for the gas. In my SV, I have the seat all the way forward. I am very happy with the visibility through the windscreen, but I would expect taller drivers would want the lowered floor option, to avoid looking over the glass. The removable Momo wheel is a mixed blessing; It makes ingress and egress easier, but it cuts off the top of the gauges. I don't know how readable the gauges would be for taller drivers.

[plbs1234]

I want to thank everyone for their help on my question. You have all been very helpful.

Paul

[KiwiBirkin]

A member here would more than likley let you sit in a car if he is close to you they have done this before for people who asked the same Qs as you, I would offer but im in New Zealand and have a Birkin S3 (another option).

[scannon]

Paul,

Next time you are coming to Denver, PM me and I will put you in my SV. There are a couple of standard Caterhams nearby so we can probably arrange a fitting for you.

Skip

[thegoat]

An SV is much more roomy than a non-SV. It is practically like sitting in a buick in comparison.