Large Drivers

[PewterC5]

It was suggested I could use this forum in order to find a large Daytona Coupe Type 65 owner that has been successfully building a Type 65 with seats etc. that allows occupancy by a big person.
My first objective before I can start is to see if I can get in.
I am 6'3" tall and 295 lbs.
Anyone know an owner this size? I can lose weight but I cannot shrink. Thx.

[Gordon Levy]

You can fit but there are a few mods that help some. I am 6'3" and 260.Give me a call and I would be happy to talk to you about it.

[Hankl]

Rick Anderson is the expert on how to do this, we've done the necessary mod on several cars. I'll send you a PM with all his info and a URL for a blog on how it's done.

Hank

[mmoen]

welcome

I made some significant changes to my type65 which include lowering then entire driver floor 2 inches. When I say "I", I actually mean Mark Doughtery, the traveling builder. he dropped my floor, and made "some big boy mods" to the kirkey, seats, etc. Now the interior is spacious, and actually feels like a production car. I would recommend you contact him if you need assistance in doing this, otherwise I'll post some pics and you can start cutting and welding. with regards to these mods weakening the frame, they don't. with the addition of the vertical plate on the trans tunnel I suspect it is even stronger.

Mike M.

[mmoen]

555395554055541
if this doesn't work then mark will have to show you the pics.
Mike M.

[PewterC5]

555395554055541
if this doesn't work then mark will have to show you the pics.
Mike M.

Mike, Thx I will get to Mark Doughtery and welcome any help and pictures I can get.

Hank, I will get to Rick Anderson as well.

Gordon, I will be in touch with you.

My other problem is my wife. We have a 2000 C5 Corvette and although my wife loves the car, she complains about having to climb in and out of it. My hope is the Type 65 will be no more difficult.

There is no doubt that corvettes are the "American Sports Car" but I go with my friend to car shows with 400 other corvettes . . . .boring.

I live in Michigan and hope to find someone within 500 miles that will let her sit in one. After that I am sure I can convince her that the "Cool Factor" associated with the Type 65 exceeds the corvette.

I have always wanted to build something from the ground up and the Build school is right here in Michigan. (Mott Community College)

I tend to plan things out before jumping in and this will be no exception.

Thanks gentlemen.

Herb H.

[John Dol]

Herb,

I think that unfortunately you are going to lose on the Coupe vs Corvette accessibility contest. Coupes are not especially easy to get in and out of and the harness is not as easy as a regular seatbelt.
HOWEVER
The cool factor definitely outweighs by FAAAAAAAAAAAAAAR.
Build it first then have her figure out how to get in and out!!:p

Good luck, hope you will join us.

John

[Hankl]

Herb,

Here's the blog series.
http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/entry.php?346-Coupe-Challenge-Building-a-Legend

It looks like Karen might have moved the pictures(Pictures are back up), contact Rick for more information. If Mark Doughtery is able to help you, He's my first pick after Rick, and Mark has real world experience with this mod.

Hank :cool:

[xlr8or]

Making space isn't the issue, getting in and out is.
Theres a certain process to it and everyone does it a bit different. Once you get the hang of it, it's easy but it will never be easier than a Vette due to the smaller door space you have to go through.

[SingleMaltWSKY]

I face the same issue. I'm 6'4" and 280 (working on that last bit).

There are extensive modifications that we are building into our vehicle for fitment. First, the engine is being pushed forward along with extension of the foot-boxes and a push forward of the dash. This push forward will allow for more foot space (my size 14s don't like the current boxes) as well as more space between the back of the seat and the steering wheel. I have seen some posts/vids where people hack into the floor to gain another inch or two of height, but fortunately most of my height is in my legs so I don't have to bother with that step.

Another benefit of pushing the engine forward is that I can narrow the transmission tunnel - not by much, but enough to add another inch or so to the width of the seating area. 1 inch doesn't sound like much.....but it is. ALSO we will be able to push the top of the firewall out to make more room for the HVAC tubing and wiring in the dash - might even get an actual glove box out of the deal (maybe not).

The Type-65 is a good candidate for the engine placement change (if you have the engineering skills and guts to hack into the frame). Even pushing the engine as much as 4.5 inches, it still remains behind the front wheels and will not adversely affect the balance of the car. If you look at Superformance coupes, they have the engine much further ahead, about where we are looking to place it.

[PewterC5]

Any body know a big guy car I can sit in within a couple hundred miles of Detroit????
There is a dinner out in it for whomever????

[SingleMaltWSKY]

I'm in London Ontario - not far. The car build is just starting, but if you want to test fit in the chassis and take measurements I'm sure we can figure something out.

EDIT - actually, the chassis is going to live in Cambridge Ontario - still not a massive drive if you're up for it.

[PewterC5]

You know, I have been planning to go to Niagara falls this summer. Looks like it would be easy enough to stop by. Have to set a date with the wife. Any time " not" good for you?
Let's get together. Would love your feed back on the whole thing.

[SingleMaltWSKY]

You know, I have been planning to go to Niagara falls this summer. Looks like it would be easy enough to stop by. Have to set a date with the wife. Any time " not" good for you?
Let's get together. Would love your feed back on the whole thing.

My father and I have scheduled "build" days, those would be the best for showing up and checking things out (generally weekends). Let me know what part of the summer you might do the whole Niagara thing and I can see about making it work. 3rd week of August is out for sure.