Dolomites have a seat that moves back and up/down far enough to accommodate even the tallest drivers. This I know because I am cursed with an inseam of over 35 Inches! I always found that mine were roomy enough simply by raising the seat to its full height at the front, putting it fully back and having the column set to its maximum height too. Best bit was that this still allows plenty of space for rear seat passengers since their legs fit nicely with the front seat raised.
Avoid the pushrod engines, go for original OHC slant fours in either 1854 or 1998cc versions. They're lively wee things even with a 17 stone driver and are remarkably economical, especially in high geared automatic form.
Downsides: Few, but the steering is heavy on 155/82% tyres so realistically, for regular use, 175/70% tyres on the ubiquitous Sprint alloys are probably a necessary evil. Also watch for rust on post-1974/'75 model year shells, they can all rot if neglected but the earlier ones had thicker, higher quality British steel shells, the later ones used the same Russian steel that Alfasuds were made from.
They're cheap to maintain though and James Paddock can supply most parts at very reasonable cost.
Is economy not that big a deal? Then consider the Triumph 2000 or 2500 as alternatives to the BMC 1800 and Rovers suggested earlier. Slightly roomier than the smaller Dolomite, these are one of very few cars that I could fit inside with the driver's seat not fully rearwards.
Another that fits that particular requirement is the Mercedes W114/W115 type. My 220A (1972) was a thirstier car than a T2000 but it was lively, handled beautifully and even my Dad, who used to be well over 6ft (still with us, but he's shrunk since he got into his eighties) didn't need to push the seat right the way back.
Leftfield suggestions these, but not as eccentric as you may think: The Reliant kitten and Fox have an almost infinite amount of leg room because the driving position puts the driver low with their legs straight out in front of them and the rear seats (kittens came with these, Fox can be found with a hard top and rear seats) are higher than the fronts, so it's even possible to fit tall people in the back though feet wider than size E will be a little cramped in the narrower rear foot wells. Although the kitten is only the size of a mini Clubman, it's another car in which I need the seat slightly forward in order to reach the pedals, this leg room being the product of a tiny engine that sits between the occupants' legs - though not to the same extent as it does in the same maker's three wheeled conveyances. Very cheap to run, brakes are all mini, front suspension is unique to these cars but parts are all available through a proactive register with a very efficient parts remanufacturing policy, steering racks are available again now and the turning circle is a useful 22ft, 9" so there's nowhere you would find parking difficult with one of these.
But I'd try
at least every suggestion you find appearing in this thread because comfort for us long legged types isn't just about available space, it's about living with the thing long term and only you can decide which is best that way.
