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Will I fit into a bugeye

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clifish

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Hello all, I am considering a purchase of a 1960 bugeye (out of state) before I travel out there I want to ask other owners about interior size. I am 6'1" 240 lbs, do you think I will be able to comfortable drive the car and will my size 11 feet handle the pedals? I previously thought about a Lotus Elise until I got into one, very tight, seat did not go back far enough and my feet either pressed both the gas and brake or the clutch and brake at the same time.

I don't expect Cadillac room or comfort but want to fit enough to enjoy the true British ride and handling. I currently have an 81 corvette for a little perspective.
 
How limber are you? Once you are in they are pretty roomy. I am Six feet, 240 lbs and fit fine. That said, when i weighed 260 i was considering a smaller steering wheel! I have size ten feet and it really isn't a problem for shoes - a little harder for my hiking shoes though.

my height is in my trunk so I tend to look through the top of the windshield a bit more than I like - so, all in all you should be fine. BTW i amd describing a square body with wind up windows so, the bugeye should be a little "wider" with no amenities. That said, it won't be the vette that's for sure.

getting in is easy, out, well, it is easier to turn it upsidedown and shake it.
 
I don't think asking other owners will work. Your height and weight are really insufficient data since there is a wide range in torso/leg lengths and weight distribution between different folks. You're in New York state so why don't you go attend some british car shows and/or contact some local clubs so that you can sit in the cars before committing time and money to buying one?
 
I've got a young lad (age 26 (over 40 years differential) working on my projects, and he is 6'1" and 290 pounds (played high school football at 250 pounds, so not a lot of fat). We reinstalled an engine/tranny into our 1960 BE in early December and drove it over to the car wash. He fit in the spassenger eat but the seat belt needs extending. And he's a
going to borrow it this spring to take his girlfriend out to an adjoining town so his foster mom and her hubby (who owned one of the 1958's with the original windscreen) can see it/take it for a ride. But we haven't measured his feet.
We've also got a 62 VW beetle based Meyers Manx clone dune buggy and the pedals were way too close together for my comfort, so I took the standard approach of applying a couple of pipe wrenches and bending the clutch pedal sideways. Can't comment as to how the approach would work on a BE, but consider it.
John-Peter: shaken, and 'stirred'? We've two BEs plus the dune buggy plus a 3000. I think (based on my 99 year old Dad) that I'm running out of time to own cars that you can fall into, but need a hoist to get out of. Doug
 
I'm 6' 1" and wear size 11's. Really enjoy the cars to the point I currently have 4. All pre 66 with the thinner early seats. Had a 71 and really felt cramped because of the seat change mainly. I weigh in at 206. Agree with Davester, you really need to try one on. If its too cramped the MGB has the most room of any sports car ever made, I believe, and you may want to try one of those.

Kurt.
 
Another chime in here: I'm 6'1" 220#, with size 13 eeee shoes (yes, that's a lot of e's). I fit in a Bugeye just fine, but as has been said the doors are narrow so getting in is not always very graceful.

I'll second the idea to find a local owner and see if you can have a sit in their car. When I was first looking at British cars I went to a local show, and the folks there (many now my friends) were very friendly and once I mentioned that I was considering a car like theirs they were more than happy to let me have a seat and see how I fit.
 
Clifish,
Welcome to the forum! I agree with all the previous comments and you really need to try one on. I'm now 6' and 210 with sz 12 feet and shoe choice has a lot to do with working the pedals. Contact your local club and see if there's a Bugeye nearby, well worth the time.
Rut
 
I understand different body types and all, I was just looking for a general consensus before I took a ride across the LI sound to CT to sit in it. I guess I am just a little impatient to wait till spring to find a show.

It is a 1960 with "recently overhauled 1275 BMC engine, 175-180 psi compression in every cylinder, 65-70 psi oil pressure when warm, zero smoke, new 45 DCOE Weber, new distributor, racing headers, glass pack with SuperTrapp racing muffle .5 speed all synchromesh transmission, disc brakes, expensive front and rear tube shock conversion, rear sway bar, adjustable rear trailing arms with rod ends at each end, wide Revolution light alloy wheels, 175/70 radials, padded racing bucket seats, tilt fiberglass nose, oil cooler, electric radiator cooling fan, electronic ignition, appears to have all new wiring, new top, new tonneau, and new side curtains."

that is part of the description, I know not original but might be very fun to drive.
 
Get the VIN # off of the Left Door or on the Number Plate underneath the Carbs on the Frame Rail and we'll let you know if this is a real BE or not. Definitely sounds like a fun BE to own.
 
I'll fit! I'll fit!! Doug
 
Wow. I feel like a sandbagger around here: 5 foot 6 and 150 pounds. However, I have a 32 inch inseam, so I keep the seat all the way back.
 
SaxMan said:
Wow. I feel like a sandbagger around here: 5 foot 6 and 150 pounds. However, I have a 32 inch inseam, so I keep the seat all the way back.
Click to expand...

You're the perfect size for a Spridget!:smile:
 
clifish said:
Have people converted other cars into a bugeye? I did not think it would be worth a conversion price?
Click to expand...

you can fit a bugeye bonnet to a square bodied car - the trunk is a give away :smile: but other than that, no, people typically don't - the back is actually the problem not the front. But, the engine upgrades are quite common and typically don't affect the value.
 
@apbos the kit is full reversible and the horn works. For the deluxe kit we modify a AH horn push to fit into the momo wheel. We agree about the weld on hubs, not huge fans of mods that cannot be reversed. The removable wheel is also a great security device, just park your sprite and take the wheel with you. A lot of different wheels fit the kit so it doesn't have to be the 350mm Momo.
 
I think the single biggest (so-to-speak) issue is the steering wheel. Getting around/under it will be the main variable.
 
Not sure exactly where I saw it but somewhere on the web there is a shop that has added maybe 6 inches to the length of a bugeye. Can't remember if they did it at the jam of the door or???
 
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