You'd think that a convertible would be the easy button, but I get that sometimes it's less about headroom and more about legroom.
By J.A. Ackley
Nov 13, 2023
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Buyer's Guide,
Discussion
Photograph Courtesy Nissan
Certainly, the quintessential sports car is the tiny, svelte machine that you can sling through corners. However, not all of us measure under 6-foot or weigh less than 200 pounds. (Me included.)
What about the bigger folks? They love fast, sporty vintage rides, too. (I can speak from experience.)
So, which classic sports car would you recommend for them and why? (I’m taking notes.)
You'd think that a convertible would be the easy button, but I get that sometimes it's less about headroom and more about legroom.
Classic Mini, anyone? I didn’t have issues putting taller people in mine.
6'2" here, slightly more legs than torso, and just a little extra around the middle, let's say I think I'm probably 225-ish. 
I'm also reasonably flexible and adaptable, and love little cars. Here's my anecdotal evidence based on the best I can remember, trying to focus on sports car and sports-car-adjacent classics I've experienced, but far from exhaustive, YMMV.
No-go, just not comfortable for me:
-Lotus Europa
-Lotus Seven S2/S3/Classic Caterham
-Lancia Stratos
-Autozam AZ-1
Do-able but a bit awkward position/proportions-wise:
-Classic Mini
-Suzuki Cappuccino
-Alfa GTV6/Alfetta GT
-Midget/Sprite
-First-gen Honda Civic Si
-G-body Porsche 911 coupe
-NA Miata
Just dandy:
-Volvo P1800
-Toyota Corolla AE86 (no sunroof)
-Toyota MR-2 AW11 and SW20 (no sunroof)
-Lotus Elite (50's/60's)
-Ford Falcon
-Datsun 240Z
-Mazda RX-7 (no sunroof)
-BMW E30 3-series
In reply to ae86andkp61 (Forum Supporter) :
That's a great list. Many of those are also easily obtainable for someone looking to get into classic sports cars, too.
Since the AE86 and 240Z work well, what about the 944? I have a bit of seat time in them, including a cross-country drive, but I’m not exactly the tallest one in the room.
The Sunbeam Alpine is more than roomy for taller people. I'm not that tall (5-10) my friend (6-6) had no problem with leg room or head room once he was in the car.
Probably obvious C5 Corvette.
When driving the 968 and 944, I never had to run the seat all the way back.
Love the list thus far. Fun additions that I fit (6'4") in are the Lotus Elise and Exige. I fit in nearly all BMW's. I was amazed that I fit in an original Mini Cooper, not super amounts of space left but that isn't really an expectation. I did also fit in an FD RX7 but it was snugish.
You need to look at inseam and torso lengths for people over 6'2". It is easy to end up with a 6"+ difference in leg length or torso length on people whose heights are similar. As an example, a 6'0" driver who wears 36" inseam pants has a torso 9" shorter than mine.
As someone with a tall torso, all Porsches and Japanese sports cars are out. I keep trying to make lotus work without much luck. The classic mini is ok once I get my feet around the steering column. Bmws and modern minis without sunroofs are ok but require an aftermarket seat to fit with a helmet. Are modern minis vintage yet?
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