Tall Driver

[highfade]

Hey all, I'm new here and to the world of buggies but have been in love with them forever...

I am seriously thinking of finally taking the plunge but I have a question for you buggy owners...

I am 6'7" tall and was wondering if I can even fit in a two seater "manx" style buggy or should I be looking for the long bodies ("Manxter" style) with adjustable seats?

I would like to get a buggy with a full cage overhead or maybe a hardtop roof so clearance is going to be an issue for my giraffe like features.

Any help is greatly appreciated as I would like to get rolling on this asap.

Thanks in advance.

[Dwight]

i there i am 6'1 and had a short buggy before .sold it and making a long body now .it will be on the road in the spring. trust me you will be a lot more comfortable in a long body. i know they don t look as cool as the short ones, but what i did was i lenghtened the rear fenders about 8 inches toward the front, makes it look shorter.

[wythac]

I'm only 6' but didn't like sitting "on" a car as much as "in" one, so for that and other reasons I added a 3" lift to the body. It has the positive effect of making the overhead roll bar not stick up above the body so much. You should also take a look at some of the cage designs on here that tent up in the middle over the driver and see if that would work for you.

[jspbtown]

Leg room will also be tough in a stock size buggy. I flatten the floors for more legroom and at 6'2" tall (with long legs) its a little tight.

Some buggies (like my Deserter) have an additional 4" of legroom which can help alot.

[MURZI]

My friend lengthened his buggy by about 6-8 inches as he is 6'5". It kept the classic short buggy lines but provided the room needed.

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62 vert
2276
Tim’s welded heads
45 Dells
A1 sidewinder
Fk44 cam

[bruces]

I am 6'5" ,and the windshield on my old manx tops out around my nipples with fiberglass buckets on stock vw mechanisms .I plan to move the seats to the floor tilted back ,remove the stock roll bar ,and put in a body lift .I will fabricate a new cage to work around my head or not bother with one at all if I cant figure out something that works and suits the car .How are you proportioned will also make a huge difference ,my legs and torso are normal ,while some tall freaks are all legs or all upper body like a gorilla.

[highfade]

Thanks for all the info guys, you have definitely shoved me in the right direction... After reading everything that was posted I randomly came across a standard 2 seater while driving home today and there is no way in hell I would be able to jam myself into that... I guess I am now on the hunt for a lifted long body with seats on the floor and a tall cage.

Thanks again for all the help.

[BIGMIKEY]

I recently had this body pointed out to me. It has a built in 3"-4" lift and is for a full length chassis.

I am tall as well. 6' 5" and it's all in my freakishly long torso so I "sit" even higher in the buggy than my height alone would indicate.

If I were looking for a new body I would look hard at this one.


http://www.dansperformanceparts.com/buggy/Mid%20Travel%20Manx/midtravelmanx.htm

Mike T
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BIGMIKEY

Deserter Series 1 project.
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=787047&highlight=

1973 Beetle Driver, Marina Blue.

[BIGMIKEY]

[tgodber]

I would also think about a taller windshield that you can buy from Dino's Bugshields. A short windshield looks cool but a bee in the forehead is not. I recommend the 3" body lift as it gives strength to the long body and gives clearance for the gas tank and steering joint.

I would stay away from fiberglass seats. They are low but a large pain in the butt after a days riding. I have seats from a Chevy Cavalier that are adjustable and comfortable off-road.

I am 6'4" with a tall body. My windshields on both buggies are 3" taller than stock.

Good luck.
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My wife said I never listen to her.
Or something like that!

[Mike_CNYBuggy]

Berrien by Acme sells a full size body

http://www.acmecarco.com/index.php/berrien-buggy/dune-buggies/genesis

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http://CNYBuggy.org - Central New York Dune Buggy Club

Kristen's Buggy (UltaViolet) Build Thread

VW Club of Central New York

[Saint]

[madmike]

Just a street buggy? Why not just drop the floor a few inches,PO did just that in my kitcar
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76 Drag/Street bug 2180cc 'Turbo' 11:85 @113 mph"If I go any faster I'll burn up the Hamster" ,gets 28 mpg. also 10/09/22 11.90 @115 mph
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[BuggyFaron]

Was this ever completed? Id love to see it if it was. GREAT IDEA!

[eyetzr]

If this is going to be a street buggy, drop the seats through the floor. Your butt will be closer to the ground but you will be able to use a chopped windshield. Just a thought.
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I think he meant "rare", as in "not well-done"