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Too short to drive a Healey 100

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Pizzi348

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Hi guys ... I have a problem. I have a 1956 Austin Healey 100. Love it. I thought my wife would like it too compared to some of my other cars. She does like it. But.... she can't drive it!!!

She is 5'1" - her feet can't touch the pedals, while being able to see out of the windshield.

Is there anything that is recommended to maybe allow her to drive it? I don't want to make an un-reversible modification, or one that doesn't look original .

Thanks in advance!
 
We had the same problem, and just put an extension on the clutch and brake pedals. It makes me keep the seat further back, but works perfectly for her with the seat all the way forward.
 
It is pretty amusing to see them disappear when they shift!
:laugh:
 
:lol:

There was someone up north that made a pedal extension for the clutch. I'll have to try to find his info. Someone in the club told me that he wouldn't take a penny more or a penny less than what he charged.
 
My wife is 5'4" and my daughter is 5'2". They also had difficulty reaching and seeing.

When I had my MGB seats fabric covered before installing in my Healey, I got a couple of 24" x 36" x 4" blocks of fairly firm foam.

Using an electric knife, I sculpted a seat riser and a separate back pad to fit the bottom & back contours of the drivers seat on one side and the "female bottom" on the other.

The upholsterer covered them with the same fabric material and matched the seat stiching and piping.

The seat bolster moves raises the driver about 3" and the back boosts forward about the same. Neither my wife or daughter use the seat pad, but they love the back pad.

I am now in SoCal, away from my home computer, or I would post pictures of what they look like.

To me this fix was much easier than messing with extension pedals. I also have an auto-trans, so no clutch.

Here are pics of the seats without the pads.

Tim


Dash1.JPG


Image50.jpg
 
The pedal extensions were only about 2 or 3 inches if I remember correctly. Since the brake and clutch pedal are the same design, you could put one on each so they would be even. I've thought about putting them in since I have to push the clutch pedal almost all the way to the floor to shift gears quietly. That 2 inch extension would make driving a little easier.
 
Before installing pedal extensions, I would check your state laws.

Some of the women in our club just place a pillow on seat.
 
In my 100-M I have clutch and brake extensions and husband made a template for the accelerator out of wood and then topped with a rubber piece that would normally go on the accelerator anyway. Voila I drive Agatha without any problem at all. BTW I am the only driver as husband is 6'2" and not at all comfortable driving her.

As to modifications, they can be reversed.

Oopppss forgot to say I am only 5'.
 
"pizza348", WHAT kinda NAME is that?? Is EVERYBODY that has said something on this thread ASHAMED of their given name??? Enquiring MIND NEEDS to know because I am NOT!!!

Back your question. :savewave:

In my case it was 'simple' (AND expensive)!! :lol:

Wife got a '73 Black Tuplip MGB (which HAD to have new 'go fast' motor :banana: ) :thirsty: !!!

NOW she RIDES in MY Healey!!!! :winner1:

:cheers:
Ed
 
Ed Kaler said:
"pizza348", WHAT kinda NAME is that?? Is EVERYBODY that has said something on this thread ASHAMED of their given name??? Enquiring MIND NEEDS to know because I am NOT!!!
Click to expand...

Ed,

Maybe that IS his given name. Either way paisano, ixnay on the absjay. Capische?

Reid
Forum Mod
 
Ed Kaler said:
"pizza348", WHAT kinda NAME is that?? Is EVERYBODY that has said something on this thread ASHAMED of their given name??? Enquiring MIND NEEDS to know because I am NOT!!!

Back your question. :savewave:

In my case it was 'simple' (AND expensive)!! :lol:

Wife got a '73 Black Tuplip MGB (which HAD to have new 'go fast' motor :banana: ) :thirsty: !!!

NOW she RIDES in MY Healey!!!! :winner1:

:cheers:
Ed
Click to expand...

Uhh...ok. :thirsty: :thirsty: :thirsty: ... :crazy: ... :computer: ... :sick: ... :pukeface: ... :sleep:

Thanks Reid for the Voice of Reason...
 
Ed Kaler said:
"pizza348", WHAT kinda NAME is that?? Is EVERYBODY that has said something on this thread ASHAMED of their given name??? Enquiring MIND NEEDS to know because I am NOT!!!
Click to expand...

It is my given name ... and it's PIZZI with an "i" - and the 348 is the type of Ferrari I have.
 
Thanks Judo ... although it can be reversed .. is something that I could do without messing with me being able to drive the car? I'm 5'11". Could I make them so they slip on and slip off?
 
My daughter can't reach the pedals in the TD... 'ahh, gee honey, guess i will have to drive again'
 
As to the clutch and brake, the extensions would have to be removed and from what I understand it's not a simple task, i.e. a lift might be needed. As to the accelerator the wood section is glued and then the rubber slips over it. It isn't a modification that can come and go depending on the driver. Husband @ 6'2" can drive my Healey and I haven't heard him complain about the leg reach, only where the windshield hits him and that's at about his nose...

I have the seat all the way forward and when he does have to drive it, the seat is all the way backwards.

Sorry I can't come up with any other solution.

Good Luck!

P.S. When is your wife's birthday? Might make a nice gift. LOL
 
If you're any good with a welder and/or have an old erector set handy, it's actually relatively simple to make "extenders" for the pedals that tighten with an allen key in the back. I did something similar in my old porsche 944 for a girlfriend that was 4'11".

The trick is the claw bit that wraps over the pedal. Use allen key or regular bolts to pressure attach it from behind. Then you can either put a stock pedal on top (with fabrication) or a metal plate.

Because it's a pressure based bolt on (from behind the pedal) it's relatively easy to remove and won't leave any lasting marks on the car.
 
Why not keep the car stock and invest in a couple of pairs of those platform shoes for the ladies - you know the sort - that the girls on the ABBA group used to wear :lol:

Bob
 
Bob Hughes said:
Why not keep the car stock and invest in a couple of pairs of those platform shoes for the ladies - you know the sort - that the girls on the ABBA group used to wear :lol:

Bob
Click to expand...

:winner1: Bob! Now I have to convince the wife that the acrylic stilettos I'm buying her are actually driving shoes... :thumbsup:
 
:banana: I don't think that's going to work... I not only think but am convinced you just need to bite the bullet, have extensions put on the pedals and give it to her as a show of your love and affection!!! SO THERE!
 
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