50's or 60's Car for 6'2" Driver

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DRH92
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Joined: Fri Apr 03, 2015 5:20 pm

50's or 60's Car for 6'2" Driver

#1 Post by DRH92 »

Hello all, I'm currently on the hunt for a 50's or 60's motor which will mainly be used for shows, preferably a British saloon of some sort. However due to my height I'm starting to worry that there might not be many that I can even fit in! So far my list of possible candidates are the Morris Minor (a popular choice with tall classic owners it seems), Wolseley 1500/Riley 1.5, Austin Somerset, Triumph Herald/Vitesse and Rover P4. I would like something with good spares availability and that can fit in an average sized lockup garage. Any more suggestions would be appreciated.

-Dan.
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TerryG
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Re: 50's or 60's Car for 6'2" Driver

#2 Post by TerryG »

Depending on the mood my back is in, I'm 6'0-6'1 and I comfortably fit in my morris minor, I used to have a mini and fitted in that too. Surprisingly I fit better in a mini than in a range rover!
Personally I wouldn't worry too much about having long legs or a long torso and find a car you like. Seats can be moved back or dropped if you need to, even peddle boxes can be adjusted.
Understeer: when you hit the wall with the front of the car.
Oversteer: when you hit the wall with the back of the car.
Horsepower: how fast you hit the wall.
Torque: how far you take the wall with you.
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Grumpy Northener
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Re: 50's or 60's Car for 6'2" Driver

#3 Post by Grumpy Northener »

One very biased answer 'Jowett Javelin' - comfortable, streamliner styling and quite different from the rest of the pack - excellent support from the Jowett Car Club - I can line up a trip in one if you would like to find out more - whereabouts in the country are you ?
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Chris
1937 Jowett 8 - Project - in less pieces than the Jupiter
1943 Jowett Stationary Engine
1952 Jowett Jupiter - In lots of peices http://Jowett.org/
1952 Jowett Javelin - Largely original
1973 Rover P6 V8 - Original / 22,000 miles
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JPB
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Re: 50's or 60's Car for 6'2" Driver

#4 Post by JPB »

I'm only 6'2" but because I don't have much torso, much of that is inseam length, an annoying (when shopping for trousers) 35-37" depending on whether the car has pendant pedals like some modern ones or the type that a Minor has from the factory, which go vertically through the floor.
TerryG wrote:...I wouldn't worry too much about having long legs or a long torso and find a car you like. Seats can be moved back or dropped if you need to, even pedal boxes can be adjusted.
Solid advice from Terry there. Though if your length is more in the torso, avoid very small convertibles unless this is you at your work:
Image
:shock:


Buy a Javelin. :thumbs:
J
"Home is where you park it", so the saying goes. That may yet come true.. :oops:
suffolkpete
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Joined: Sun Jan 23, 2011 11:54 am

Re: 50's or 60's Car for 6'2" Driver

#5 Post by suffolkpete »

One of my university friends was 6'5". The cars he could fit in were Standard 8/10, Anglia 105E, Mk2 Consul, Bedford CA.
1974 Rover 2200 SC
1982 Matra Murena 1.6
suffolkpete
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Re: 50's or 60's Car for 6'2" Driver

#6 Post by suffolkpete »

Grumpy Northener wrote:One very biased answer 'Jowett Javelin' - Chris
Never miss a chance to promote Jowett do you? ;) I had a look at the Jowett stand last weekend, but couldn't see anyone who looked grumpy (when I could fight my way through the crowds watching the lead loading demo)
1974 Rover 2200 SC
1982 Matra Murena 1.6
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TerryG
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Re: 50's or 60's Car for 6'2" Driver

#7 Post by TerryG »

The panel beating was pretty impressive (and noisy) too :)
Understeer: when you hit the wall with the front of the car.
Oversteer: when you hit the wall with the back of the car.
Horsepower: how fast you hit the wall.
Torque: how far you take the wall with you.
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Grumpy Northener
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Location: Hampshire UK

Re: 50's or 60's Car for 6'2" Driver

#8 Post by Grumpy Northener »

Never miss a chance to promote Jowett do you? ;) I had a look at the Jowett stand last weekend, but couldn't see anyone who looked grumpy (when I could fight my way through the crowds watching the lead loading demo)
The panel beating was pretty impressive (and noisy) too
Apologies chaps that was me - You ought to have said and I would have got you a complementary front row ticket - I was quite grumpy through you just could not see my expression has I had my back to the audience - it was the weak tea that the NEC was serving - well that and the price of it too :o I will post a separate thread on our Restoration Show stand when I get a min
1937 Jowett 8 - Project - in less pieces than the Jupiter
1943 Jowett Stationary Engine
1952 Jowett Jupiter - In lots of peices http://Jowett.org/
1952 Jowett Javelin - Largely original
1973 Rover P6 V8 - Original / 22,000 miles
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TerryG
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Location: East Midlands

Re: 50's or 60's Car for 6'2" Driver

#9 Post by TerryG »

I gave up on the stuff from the "official" nec food and beverage dispensaries after 1 cup so started on coffee from the snail café which was pretty good but I agree about pricing in there being excessive. If I am being over charged by someone I would rather it go to a car club than the NEC.
Understeer: when you hit the wall with the front of the car.
Oversteer: when you hit the wall with the back of the car.
Horsepower: how fast you hit the wall.
Torque: how far you take the wall with you.
rich.
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Joined: Wed Jan 05, 2011 9:18 pm

Re: 50's or 60's Car for 6'2" Driver

#10 Post by rich. »

was it a good show? did you take any pics ?? :D
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