Tall people vs Marlin Cabrio LWB

[wiggiesworld]

Heres a question for the taller brethren. I've just been asked if a 6' 4" chap would fit in a LWB Cabrio.

As I'm only a modest 5' 8" (and obviously fit in easily) I unfortunately am not best placed to answer this.

What say you?

[MOC Chair]

I am 6ft tall and drove a swb Cabrio for 16 years. It depends on what driving position you are used to. Obviously my legs were more bent than some drivers would like but I was quite comfortable and did 50000 miles in the car. One other consideration is the headroom with the hood up which may be a problem for a taller driver.

[wiggiesworld]

I am 6ft tall and drove a swb Cabrio for 16 years. It depends on what driving position you are used to. Obviously my legs were more bent than some drivers would like but I was quite comfortable and did 50000 miles in the car. One other consideration is the headroom with the hood up which may be a problem for a taller driver.

Thanks, appreciate the feedback.

[billjackson54]

I, too, am 6ft tall and had a LWB Cabrio for 6 years and now have a LWB Hunter. Space-wise, the challenges for a taller driver are headroom or legroom depending on one's personal proportions, and shoulder width. In the Cabrio, I found the centre console, which houses the Radio was uncomfortably close to my left knee when not actually changing gear and the roof (hood up) was only a couple of inches from the top of my head. I did find a satisfactory driving position, however, and really enjoyed the car. The Hunter is automatic, so no problem with legroom, either for my feet or the left knee...but I slide the seat quite a way back from the wheel when getting in or out so the head-rest, raised about 2" comes into contact with the rear window. I think you'll have to try it out.....as another member commented about his SWB Hunter.."it's a car you put on rather than get into".

[wiggiesworld]

Cheers for that feedback Bill.

[TVRFan]

As a 6' 4' driver, I managed to fit in the mk1 Roadster, although I did end up taking it back to Marlin and making it a LWB. The great thing about kit cars is that you can choose/build your own seating arrangement. In the Roadster, I ended up with what basically amounted to a cushion on the floor and a flat panel back to give max legroom and headroom. In 'clone' cars, many have limited headroom for a tall driver, while at the same time, the schoolkids all seem to be getting taller.... Problem is that it's VERY individual depending on your overall body shape, long legs - short body, long body - short legs, and many other things. So you just have to try it out and see. I can be comfortable in a few small cars , but many are totally wrong, knees on steering wheel head hits roof, and all that hassle. So I tend to end up owning/driving larger saloon cars. NB. SUVs aren't always bigger inside either, space+shape varies a lot.

[wiggiesworld]

A few years back I sold a car to a 6’ 4” new, young driver……. a Mini (new style) no less and he had no problems with access and fit. Surprised the heck out of me.

[dave_kitson]

You can improve things a lot with a change of seats. The Marlin supplied seats I had were not very comfortable, near impossible to adjust, and too high. I replaced them with some from a Suzuki Capuccino, suitably recovered, which are brilliant. Not a cheap option, and not easy to find even ten years ago, There must be other options now, but careful measurement is needed. See also FAQs at the top.

[wiggiesworld]

Yes, I did try to find some Capuccino seats a few years ago. I found some turkey's teeth but never found the seats........