Ferrari Mailing List: Re: Stretch Armstrong drives which sized Ferrari?

[Dennis Liu (BigHeadDennis]

The 308/328 is way, way small.  Suited mostly for traditional Italian
drivers (e.g., under 5'8").  The 348 is better.  The 355 is better yet, as
the gap in the center console allows the driver to swivel his right knee
into it, for some extra room.  The 360/430 is luxurious by comparison.  If
you're 6'4", I strongly recommend that you find a 308/328 to sit in, as I
suspect you'll rapidly rule them out (I can't fit in one with the top on
unless I crane my head to the right - constantly.
 
vty,
 
--Dennis

  _____  

From: Jason Rogers [mailto:jarogers [at] cedarpointcom.com] 
Sent: Friday, September 29, 2006 4:54 PM
To: ferrari [at] ferrarilist.com
Cc: BigHeadDennis [at] earthlink.net
Subject: Stretch Armstrong drives which sized Ferrari?



I'm new to the list from the Metrowest Boston area and starting to research
which car to set my sights on.  I'm 6'4" as well and currently driving a Z4
because it accommodates my frame.  I sat in a 365GTC4 quite a few years ago
and could only see the bottoms of the instruments because the top of the
instrument pod obscured them from view.  My first "real" sports car was a
fuel injected Fiat 124, called by then the Spider 2000 because of the
increase in displacement.  I had no problem viewing the Veglia gauges but I
had to incline the seat to keep my head below the windshield header.  

 

I'm most interested in the 308 GTSi or 328 GTS because I've always liked
that Pinnafarina Ferrari style, although the 355 Spider is starting to grow
on me.  I'm all knees and elbows so I can't really cramp myself into too
small a space (I test drove the Fiat X/19 way back when and if I wiggled my
big toe it would change lanes).  Dennis seems to be indicating that headroom
is at a premium in the 3x8 model line but the prices are more in keeping
with what I can afford (excluding undue or catastrophic maintenance).

 

I'm open to suggestions, personal observations, warnings, etc.

 

BTW the new Miata, sorry the MX-5, is now roomier inside with better
handling and horsepower than the previous iterations, technology strikes
again...

 

Enjoying the forum,

 

Jrrog

 

 

Date: Thu, 28 Sep 2006 12:00:42 -0700

From: Jonathan Haines <oblioh [at] adelphia.net>

Subject: Re: [Ferrari] OUCH !

To: <BigHeadDennis [at] earthlink.net>

Cc: 'The FerrariList' <ferrari [at] ferrarilist.com>

Message-ID: <6016F26E-939A-41E0-B6D9-A749C501C0A6 [at] adelphia.net>

Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; delsp=yes; format=flowed

 

As you know Dennis, I , like you, am 6'4" tall.  However, in the Elise, My
head is three inches below the windshield header and 4 inches below the rear
roll bar (I just measured).  I can easily pass the broomstick test, even
with a helmet.

 

I am afraid in this instance, the rock was on such a trajectory that it
tumbled into cockpit all by itself.

 

 

Jonathan.

 

 

On Sep 28, 2006, at 11:25 AM, Dennis Liu wrote:

 

> First time I drove a Miata, it was a rental out of SFO a decade ago.  

> Had to turn around and return it for a Mustang convertible, because my 

> forehead was out in the airstream.  :-)

> 

> Jonathan, a question for you re the Elise.  What about rollovers?   

> Many

> tracks enforce the "broom stick" rule - on a convertible or targa, the 

> driver's head has to be below (sometimes 2" below) a broomstick placed 

> between the windshield header and the roll bar/hoop, or if a Targa, 

> the B-pillar roof area.  Intent is to prevent, in the case of a 

> rollover, the head from being scraped along the ground, or worse, 

> caught on the ground then slammed against the header or bar.  Doh.

> 

> (this is the reason why I don't instruct in stock 308s and 328s....)

> 

> Does your head jut out that much?

> 

> Vty,

> 

> --Dennis