Bill, My Nippy posed legroom and eye level problems. One knee rested against the pointy bit of the door lock and my eye level was in line with the top of the windscreen - not good for visibility. I am only 5 foot 11.5 inches.
Car not back on road yet but after a mock up I think I have got over it pretty well by putting a wedge each side of the seat base to lift up the front of the seat and so that the back of the seat tips backwards into the boot slightly.....my shoulders just miss the folded up hood. The seat will be as thin as comfortably possible to be as near sitting on floor at the back but will have a high front section to support under legs. The seat still tips forward to get access to the boot.......downside will be the rather high cushion part of the seat base at the front, but comfort is being considered over looks!......Really getting old.
Also remember that not all of the 6' 4" is between seat and pedals!! Most of it will be sticking up above the floor/seat level.
Dennis.

Location: NW Devon

I have always struggled to drive Nippies and see - not so good.

I have SWB Ulster which I have no problem fitting in or driving.

Bill - you have email.

I have fitted a 6'4" driver in my short chassis Cambridge.

I moved the seat back - easyish to do in a special, and raised the steering wheel.

It doesn't seem to be so much the distance back, as the ability to create room for the knees under the wheel, and, in the case of the Cambridge at least, leaving space for the fingers on top of the wheel whilst doing this.

Whether the whole thing would be comfortable after a couple of hundred miles I can't say.

But, yes, if I had a special, particularly a long chassis one, and the inclination, I could fit someone of that height in with a bit of room to spare.

Simon

Location: On a hill in Wiltshire

Hi Bill,
I'm 6'2" and have both long and short wheelbase Ulster Specials and fit into them fine. Both do, however, have cockpits a couple of inches longer than standard.
Good luck with your search, I'm sure you will find something.
David.

Location: N. Oxfordshire

My special, Mathilde, tried and tested at le Puy Notre Dame has a two position seat for average(30-32" inside leg) and 34 -36" leg. It is fairly comfortable to drive and is also for sale as I need space for my next project.

Location: Ripon

Thank you one and all for your helpful advice freely given. It would seem that a carefully chosen special will could serve very well. I must admit a liking for the lines of the Ulster and have my eye on a couple, but am fussy with correct period look, almost as much as drivability, so the search is on.

Duncan, I remember your car and hope you are able to return with your completed next project soon.

If anyone is attending the 21eme Grand Prix Retro in July next year, do get in touch, as we'd love to meet up for chat and refreshment.

Regards,

Bill

Oh, PS. Perhaps a silly question, but is there usually a spare wheel behind the seats in an Ulster?

Location: Saumur, France

Yes Bill,
The spare wheel is normally accessed from the rear hatch with storage space behind and in front of it. How much depends on where the battery and fuel tank is situated.
David.

Location: N. Oxfordshire

Location: NW Devon

Haha Dennis, As a younger man, I spent many happy hours in medieval pubs, whose low beams joined forces with my 6'4'' to teach me to also stoop to avoid pain and loss of drinking time!

STOP PRESS: I've just arranged to view and drive a Rod Yates bodied Ulster next week which looks right so far, so watch this space . . .

Bill :)

Location: Saumur, France

Yes thank you Ruairidh and I've pinged one back to you,

Bill

Location: Saumur, France

Rod Yates can also build his LWB Ulsters with extended bodies (the drivers side set back several inches) for extra tall drivers. This leaves room for a fuel tank on the nearside.

Location: South-East Surrey

Now that Julian, is proper Mr Toad, poop, poop!

Bill

Location: Saumur, France

Here I sit, waiting for my flight home in two hours, but happy with life, as I've bought an A7 Ulster, so better start a new thread.

Me and the bride will be doing much research, but there'll doubtless still be questions and queries to pose to the wise. Apologies in advance!

Now the fun begins!

Bill

Location: Saumur