Healey ergonomics question

[HealeyPassion]

Dave, I used a Universal Electronic Cruise Control (#250-1223) from M&R Electronics. I followed the lead of Lin Rose. One of the things that Lin did that I copied was placement of the switch in the ash tray (see pic.). While I've sold the car that this was installed in, I've bought the same package to install in my current build.



Steve

 

[vette]

Thanks Steve.

 

[glemon]

The comment about people's size and expectations for car size changing over time is spot on. Remember these were called the big Healeys after the introduction of the Sprite, and we're considered a mid size, mid-priced sports car.

I have had Healeys big and small, MGBs, and Triumph TRs. The 100 was fine for my 6' long legged frame, but I learned to drive knees splayed out in a Sprite. Shoulder room is better than the others and the ability to put the elbow out at just the right height on the driver door is great on long trips. Once I got cockpit heat under control the 100 was the comfortable car of choice for touring over my brother's TR3 (all things are relative, but I really thought it was pretty nice for a day's drive). I had no problem with steering wheel position or pedals. The only issue was top up driving, getting in and out was not easy, and my head hit the top bows on bumps until I had a couple of inches of foam taken out of the driver's seat cushion.

 

[pdplot]

At about 5"3", I had the opposite trouble. The MG TD steering wheel was in my chest - and it was featherlight steering - and the tiny pedals were a stretch. Similar problem on my TR6 - even thought about getting pedal extenders (yes, they have them). I also had to raise the drivers seat about 3" with spacers in order to see over the wheel. I hate cushions. Italian cars are just the opposite. Steering wheel far away - arms out driving position. Like my son's (former) Fiat and my Alfa.

 

[steveg]

I'm 5'-9" and have always used the brake and clutch pedal extenders in order to get the seat back as far as possible away from the steering column. The gas pedal is in approximately the same plane as the other two.

 

[Bob_Spidell]

Ergonomics, ca. 1946 Chevy 2-ton (comfortable as can be, and steering is lighter than my BJ8):

 

[John Turney]

I'm 6' and fit just fine. It's a bit "ungainly" getting in and out, especially with the sidecurtains in place. I've made a couple of tweaks to raise the front edge of the seat about 1/4" for better leg support, and it's as far back as it can go with the roll bar.

I had one friend who could only ride with the top off because he was long in the torso.

 

[dougie]

I'm 5'-9" and have always used the brake and clutch pedal extenders in order to get the seat back as far as possible away from the steering column. The gas pedal is in approximately the same plane as the other two.

I'm 5'8"no pedel extentders needed. Like Dave, I do have my racing seat tilted back about an inch and a half. I use the stock adjusting rails and have them set about 3/4 back. Comfort is pretty good during high speed competition....

 

[Editor_Reid]

Doug, wot kinda gearbox you got in dat Healey?

 

[Bob_Spidell]

I take it that's not a stock MOWOG gearbox? Did it shift itself--from 4th to 2nd?--at 1:35?

 

[dougie]

Doug, wot kinda gearbox you got in dat Healey?

I use two difffernt transmissions based on the event. For SVRA and the Porltand Historics which allow "5-speed", it's a Toyota W58. For the Monterey Historics and the more stringet racing groups, it's the Healey gearbox, Sebring straight cut gears.

 

[dougie]

I take it that's not a stock MOWOG gearbox? Did it shift itself--from 4th to 2nd?--at 1:35?

Four to third with a heal-toe throttle blip.....

 

[Bob_Spidell]

Four to third with a heal-toe throttle blip.....

Wow.

 

[Tallman48]

67 BJ8... I am 6'4"...people are surprised that I fit in mine.. years ago I relocated the seat.. it can be moved back about 4 inches.. makes a huge difference.. and my seat cushion has flattened out a bit... only problem is that is needs to be done when the exhaust is off the car.. so you can get to the bolts mounting the seat rails

 

[Bob_Spidell]

67 BJ8... I am 6'4"...people are surprised that I fit in mine.. years ago I relocated the seat.. it can be moved back about 4 inches.. makes a huge difference.. and my seat cushion has flattened out a bit... only problem is that is needs to be done when the exhaust is off the car.. so you can get to the bolts mounting the seat rails

Did you modify the seat itself? My BJ8's driver's seat back, when set full back, butts up against the panel (enclosure?) that the hood frame folds into. I couldn't move it more than a half-inch back because of that.

 

[Tallman48]

Bob.... good point... if the back seat is folded down to make a shelf.. it takes up that space ..and you can't move the driver's seat back... also I had to move the driver's seat slightly towards the center so it would clear the interior panel thats from the back edge of the door opening.. took a lot of time and effort to make sure it would work... not much extra room to work with !