[laine]

Hi- I'm a newbie and am looking at getting a Spider. (Doing some research here before I pull the trigger.)

So I'm short. 5"1' without a particularly long torso - I'm pretty evenly split. Will I be able to see over the dash? I'm going to test drive a 1982 Spider this weekend (1982 Alfa Romeo Spider 63K) and I'm thinking I want to test a 1970s model as well.

Anyone have any thoughts on this? Any sub-5"2' drivers on this board?

And while I'm asking - should I stay away from anything even with a spot of rust in the trunk?

Thanks,
Laine

 

[spokeless]

My wife is 4' 11" (actually 4' 10-3/4", but don't tell her I told you..) and we bought her a '74 Spider. She is of more the "proportional torso" and "shorter-of-leg" build, so I don't know if her ability to see over the dash matches your "perspective". A cushion under you may fix that, I would think. Not sure if you are familiar with the tradition of (esp. older..) Italian cars advocating a "short of leg, long of arm" driving stance. Anyway, these cars typically do.

Re: clutch operation - w/ the seat all the way forward and a fairly thin back-pillow behind her, she drives the car comfortably, but is right at the limit of full clutch/accel. depression range with her feet. I did need to extend the driver's side seatbelt section at the tunnel to accommodate the full-fwd. position.

As you probably know, you'll need to test-drive whatever you're looking at to truly determine your compatibility. A comfortable back/bottom cushion might make a big difference. She needs one under her w/ the '85 Honda, but not the Spider. Also, I do think there were changes in the footwell/clutch-pedal-to-seat relative dimensions between the different Spider series. I seem to think they got more compact as the years got later (?).

One other consideration is that the 70's (and earlier for that matter) cars with two-point belts would leave your chest/head fairly close to the steering wheel, without any belt restraint. Enough said.

 

[bianchi2]

the 82 spider is going to be easyer to live with ... bosch fuel injection, a spot of rust in the trunk.. don't worry to much, easy to fix..

 

[laine]

Thanks Frank and Bianchi1 (by the way, I have a Bianchi Vigorelli bike - yes, a small frame at 44cm). Appreciate the advice. I'm looking forward to test drives this weekend to see if the car actually fits me. I'll keep you posted.

Any other short folks out there have an opinion on this?

Thanks again,
laine

 

[Nicola]

the 82 spider is going to be easyer to live with ... bosch fuel injection, a spot of rust in the trunk.. don't worry to much, easy to fix..

It appears this thread is about the size of the driver's compartment, not the potential amount of repair of Spiders of varying model years. Nonetheless, the dimensions of the driver compartments of S2, S2a, and S3 Spiders will be similar. A diminutive friend of mine enjoys her Giulietta Sprint by mounting blocks of wood for pedal-extenders, and sits on a well-stuffed pillow.
Remember - - - When there is a will, there is a way!!!

 

[144]

Given the way Spiders are designed ergonometrically, if you're build like an orangutan with short legs and long arms, you'll fit just fine. If needed you can probably put some spacers under the seat rails to raise the seat up, if that proves to be necessary. One thing for sure, Spiders are NOT tall-guy cars.

Trunk rust in the spare wheel well is very very common. You can buy replacement wells from Alfa suppliers and have them welded in easily.