Will I fit?

[jcerier]

I'm considering an Elan (actually have been for decades, but now a particular car ). I am a hair under 6' tall, but skinny. Will I fit, in DHC with soft-top? With original hard top?

[ericbushby]

No problem, I am 6ft tall and 11.5 stone (thats 160 pounds to you in the states). I do not need the seat all the way back and have plenty of headroom with the soft top on. My son however is 6ft 7in and has to look over the top of the windscreen. He doesn`t enjoy it much if it rains!!
Eric in Burnley
1967 S3SE DHC

[oldelanman]

At 6' you probably won't be able to reach the handbrake with the seat belt on and the seat set back - otherwise no problem. However if a roll cage is fitted it may restrict the rearward adjustment of the seat a bit (my 1970's Safety Devices one does) not enough to give me a problem but if you like to drive with your legs straight it may be an issue.

[Steve G]

I think you'll be OK. I'm 6'7". You won't even need the seat on the back rail. I have a friend who's 5'11" and he can barely reach the pedals.

[adigra]

I think the comfortable limit in an Elan is about 6'3 without issues. Taller people will fit, but I think will be a bit compromised.

Adi

[mbell]

If you don't fit a normal elan then get a +2. It's one of the few cars my 6'8" long legged brother fits in reasonably comfortably and can have his legs pretty much straight. He must have at least a 38" inside leg.

[jcerier]

Thanks everyone. Sounds like I'll fit. I'll have to try one on one of these days soon.

I should have added that I fit in my 91 Miata with no problem at all, but I know that the Miata is roomier.

[RogerFrench]

Thanks everyone. Sounds like I'll fit. I'll have to try one on one of these days soon.

I should have added that I fit in my 91 Miata with no problem at all, but I know that the Miata is roomier.

You shouldn't have a problem. The Miata is roomier side-to-side, but not fore and aft. The Elan is great for long skinny people.

[RedS4]

I am 183cm and 130 kg (6ft and 286lb for the imperialists) and fit without incident in my FHC - except I cannot reach the ornament commonly called a handbrake.
The Elan follows the same principals of physics as Dr Who's TARDIS...

[gordont]

Interesting to see people seeing the need to use a handbrake - must be just me that has one that doesn't work.

[StressCraxx]

Interesting to see people seeing the need to use a handbrake - must be just me that has one that doesn't work.

+1

[billwill]

Interesting to see people seeing the need to use a handbrake - must be just me that has one that doesn't work.

They work. You just have to learn how to set them up properly.

[tcsoar]

gordont wrote:Interesting to see people seeing the need to use a handbrake - must be just me that has one that doesn't work.



They work. You just have to learn how to set them up properly.

With you on that one Bill, set mine up last year during the rebuild and it has since gone through two MOT's without having to adjust or play with it, I am happy and confident using it.

Chris.

[Quart Meg Miles]

Interesting to see people seeing the need to use a handbrake - must be just me that has one that doesn't work.

Mine's done 32 MoTs without failing but does need compensation for pad wear at my mileage.

Fitting an Elan is more about foot size than height and those horrible inertia-reel belts solve the reaching-the-handbrake problems for road use. I'm Chapman size 8 (UK) but have problems with trainers' width with my early non-rectangular pedals.