Define Wookie -

[vozproto]

So I have seen in a couple of threads comments about "wookie size" design considerations.

It's obvious that 'wookie size' means outside of the normal... let's say 99 percentile. But what does it mean in regards to actual size?

For instance, I don't consider myself to be wookie sized @ 180lbs / 6'2" but I sure as hell can't get the seat back far enough from the wheel in an S2000 cause of my long arms and legs.

[PhyrraM]

I don't know much about percentiles and such, but after a quick scan of folks I see at car shows and rallycrosses I would say "within reason". Both height and girdth. Say up to 6'4" without deviating from the basic kit. Or say... 280 pounds at 5'10".

Or to look at it from a different angle....Maybe it should be defined by comparision.....The 818 should fit the same group as the original WRX? A Porsche 911? A Vette? I think there are already enough statements here on these forums to say a Miata and the Elise are not accomodating enough.

[kach22i]

I have three friends that are 6'-5" tall, at 5'-5" I really do look up to them. I say 6'-5" is a true wookie, most are harmless if treated with respect.:)

The human figure template I've used is a 95 percentile at a even 6'-0" tall upright.

For argument's sake 6'-2" is taller than 95%, so you are a Wookie vozproto.

I think fitting for a 6'-0" tall person is reasonable, but with stock seats this means at least a 51" tall car. Suggestions for alternate seats for taller people are good ones in my opinion, cannot expect to do that with other cars, a kit car is perfect for this sort of adaptation or option.

In summation; any person over 6'-0" is a Wookie for design discussion purposes.

[vozproto]

Some would argue I am hairy enough if not tall enough.

But I guess by the 95% standard I am a wookie. Let me sit and ponder how this makes me feel. :P

But if 2" is the only discrepancy, I think I would be able to make up for it with aftermarket seats. Sounds like a good excuse for an early upgrade I'd want anyways.

[Bob Cowan]

The three classifications for people outside of the norm are: large, freak, and wookie. They can be subdivied by: large'ish, and freak'ish, and wookie'ish - although these three are more subjective and tend to follow local perceptions.

Sounds like you fall in to the freak catagory. Depending on where you live, you could even be wookie'ish.

:)

[vozproto]

^ Well then I guess you better hide cause you have a Wookie'ish freak living 1-1/2 hours north of you. :P

[ElderDragon]

I am only 6'2" tall and 240 lbs but I have a lot of problems with some cars and not so much with others.

I have no problem fitting in my C4 Corvette which is 46.7" tall according to Wikipedia. The headroom was a little tight at the track with a helmet though.
I have no problem fitting in my friend's S2000 which is 50.0" tall according to Wikipedia.
I have no problem fitting in my father's Type 65 Coupe which I think is 48" tall.
On the other hand, I cannot fit in a Pontiac Solstice which is 50.2" tall according to Wikipedia. With the seat all the way back my legs are touching the steering wheel!
I also find the GTM on FFR's showroom floor (the black one) to be too short even without a helmet.

There is a lot to be said involving each person's proportions (especially leg length vs. torso length and leg diameter which can raise up the torso for the same height as well as reduce clearance elsewhere) as well as the exact driving position.

I would say that the best solution would be to work up a mock-up (wood or what have you) with a seat (or a stock seat and an aftermarket seat would be even better), driving controls and proposed window openings and then have a number of prospective customers of various dimensions sit in the mock-up and comment. I think you would need 18 people to define the various body types I can think of as follow:

Tall, medium, short
Muscular, slim, rotundish :)
Short leg, tall leg

So for example, tall muscular short leg will fit very differently from tall rotundish tall leg even though most people would call both wookies.

For myself I definitely plan on using aftermarket seats to drop and optimize my driving position, save weight and because I think they are more comfortable than most production seats when properly sized.


I have three friends that are 6'-5" tall, at 5'-5" I really do look up to them. I say 6'-5" is a true wookie, most are harmless if treated with respect.:)

The human figure template I've used is a 95 percentile at a even 6'-0" tall upright.

For argument's sake 6'-2" is taller than 95%, so you are a Wookie vozproto.

I think fitting for a 6'-0" tall person is reasonable, but with stock seats this means at least a 51" tall car. Suggestions for alternate seats for taller people are good ones in my opinion, cannot expect to do that with other cars, a kit car is perfect for this sort of adaptation or option.

In summation; any person over 6'-0" is a Wookie for design discussion purposes.

[2KWIK4U]

This wookie is 6' 260lbs and at least I fit in my roadster reasonably well.

[autostang]

I haven't posted on the forum, but have been following pretty much all the talk on the 818 since before the design competition started. This seems like a good place to jump in. I'm 6'5 210 lbs and fit easily in my 09 wrx, but do have trouble in a number of other cars. It really is about proportions that determines what cars you fit in and what you don't. Its pretty common to lack in leg room in one car and head room in another.

I'm very much hoping to fit in the 818 when its all said in done. However, I would have no issues if I had to make some modifications to fit, as long as they weren't too extensive. I'm an engineer and realize its not cost effective or practical to design something to fit everyone, but hope that those outside the design range are still kept in mind.

I think I would arbitrarily set Wookie size at anything over 6'3. Its weird for me to think of 6' as the 95 percentile as half the people I am around on a daily basis are over that.

[Exidous]

I'm 6'4" and 220lbs. I'd say proportional arms and legs. I fit in my 94 RX-7 with about an inch to spare(has sunroof cost me about 1 inch worth of head room). With helmet I have to slouch. I cannot fit in a S2000. I have a 34wx36i pant size and my knee covers the start button and I can only actuate the pedals by rotating at the ankle because my knee is wedged against the dash. I would LOVE to fit in the 818 without any movement issues and to have the top of the windscreen at least a couple inches above my eye line. I think the stock subaru seats would end up being a "booster" seat for the shorter folks and a racing seat for the taller folks. :-) This is what I hope for.

[David Hodgkins]

http://www.ffRoadster.com/images/misc/dh7-10.jpg

To me, a wookie's gotta be over 6'5". Weight is a personal thing but xxxl works for me! BTW don't ever let anyone tell you Roadsters aren't wookie compatible!

:)

[Wayne Presley]

As soon as I saw this thread I knew David would comment, he must have his wookie translator program running.

[RM1SepEx]

A funny thread but very enlightening

I'm 5'8" 170 and definitely average.... I sat in the black showroom GTM and eliminated it as a possibility since I couldn't even see the front corners of the car! I'd need a booster seat! It's huge and I regularly autocross for fun, it's Corvette sized, too big for me.

I have a 69 Saab Sonett and the shell type seats put my butt on the floor and I'm too big! I'm too old to contort myself getting in and out of it... I fit in my wife's Miata, it's a bit "tight"... My 1991 E30 325IC fits perfectly, the Recaros fit PERFECTLY and the seating position is nirvana

People need to be prepared to seek creative solutions to feel comfortable no matter what size they are... This is a handcrafted, custom vehicle

customized seats, seat rails, adjustable tilt and extend columns, perhaps a set of Ford's adjustable pedals, who knows what will get it "right" for any individual?

[bbjones121]

I don't see how we can expect this to be much bigger inside than an elise or exige. It is going to be a tiny car.

[wallace18]

Has anyone heard anything new on what size drivers the 818 will fit?

[kach22i]

Has anyone heard anything new on what size drivers the 818 will fit?
No, but the first ones will be roadsters (no top at all), so even a giraffe will fit.

http://highsockslegend.blogspot.com/2010_04_01_archive.html
9084

[leetfade]

^ Ha!

I've never considered myself a wookie before....

Keep in mind there are options, shorter seat rails, etc if height is the problem. I can tell you I'm 6'1 210 and I fit just fine in my '93 RX-7 with room to spare. My shop just fixed my friends '93 RX7 with aftermarket seats and I couldn't fit worth a crap! Knees on both sides of the steering wheel, had a heck of a time shifting, etc. Getting in an out was a chore!!!

Seats and rails make a WORLD of difference. And, like Kach22i mentioned, a roadster has all kinds of headroom! You may eat some bugs but you won't hit your head!

[wjfawb0]

I'm 6'-0" and 230lbs right now. I'm just big boned, though. :D I actually liked driving my 94 miata. It was small, but I prefer to have my elbows bent and feet up on the pedals. I generally don't convert from performance driving posture to pimp mode (layed back, one straight arm on top of the steering wheel). I like to be in control of the vehicle at all times.

[Oppenheimer]

...a roadster has all kinds of headroom! You may eat some bugs but you won't hit your head!

'fitting' in a Roadster != able to drive a Roadster. If the top of windshield frame is right in line of your vision...

[Twinspool]

'fitting' in a Roadster != able to drive a Roadster. If the top of windshield frame is right in line of your vision...

True. The above is me with every Miata I've ever sat in.

[kach22i]

Must suck, but you can always lower the seat, right?

[Oppenheimer]

not usually by 6+ inches lower.

[leetfade]

A fellow coder... LoL

Yeah I would probably be one of those "tweeners" that sit eye level with the windshield frame!

[Doc_FFR]

Speaking of Wookiees, happy Star Wars day!
May the Fourth be with you!