Availability of 818 Manual

[EricScottZehnder]

I know many of you have already pre-ordered your 818 (and I look forward to reading about your builds), but I was wondering if anyone knew about the availability of the manual for the 818. I've posted previously about my concern that I won't fit (6'4", 215lbs); seeing diagrams of the build and all the tech details will hopefully inform me on my option.

Personally, I don't want to just shoe-horn myself in to the car. I'm planning on building a kit car that allows me an excellent seating position including seat comfort, steering wheel position and pedal orientation. I want a car that was build for me, as it were. I can get myself into a Miata and I can operate all three pedals but that doesn't mean it's enjoyable in any way.

TL,DR: Anybody got the manual or know when we can get it?

[68GT500MAN]

Having built and worked on many of these cars over the years, I do not believe that you will get the information you want from reading the assembly manual. You would be much better off waiting until some builds are underway and looking/sitting in them at that time. I have had many people over to my house over the years to do that with a roadster, coupe and 33.
Doug

[EricScottZehnder]

Maybe I went off on too much of a personal tangent. I would still like to look at the assembly manual to get a better idea as to how much work it will be. This will be my first kit car and I am confident in my abilities to understand a manual and work through small problems. I do not, however, have the necessary tools or knowledge to alter the chassis or fabricate parts as I would have had to do in the Type 65 Coupe to fit. :(

[AZPete]

Eric, like Doug, I think you'll have to sit in an 818 to know for sure but I know from building a roadster that you can build it to fit. I'm 6'3", 225 lbs and I put Kirkey seats (much lower than others) in my FFR roadster and modified the pedals and driver footbox for big feet. One advantage of the 818 is it appears to me that the front edge of the door is further forward than in the roadster which makes a big difference in getting into and out oof the car. In the roadater I had to get both feet in first and then lower my butt into the seat, whereas I think the 818 will allow me to put my right leg in, then sit on the seat and then swing the other leg in, at least that's how Jim got into the 818 go-kart in a video. Bottom line, I'll build it to fit and you can do the same.

Would it be fun to get an 818 manual? Sure! I'm reading books and forums about Subarus so I'd love an 818 manual since I have an August 10, 2013 ship date.
Pete

[longislandwrx]

I wouldn't expect it to be release too much before the first kit ships out. End of May or June if I had to guess.

[Xusia]

One thing to keep in mind when comparing an 818 build to other FFR cars is that the 818 is starting with more legroom built in than any of the other FFR cars. If a 6'3" guy can build a roadster to accommodate his height, it seems logical that building an 818 to accommodate a 6'4" person should be easier.

[RM1SepEx]

I don't think you have any worries... Direct quote from Dave when Erik and I were there "the 818 has far more room than any previous Factory 5 kit..." There was a customer there that was 6'-5" or 6" -6" and with a very low seat he fit just fine... there was a photo somewhere. This was a major concern and we have been assured that it was addressed