T-Series Can a 6-footer fit in an MG TD?

[stever_sl]

I'm thinking about buying an MG TD (love the looks) but past experiences with Midgets and Sprites make me cautious. Does anyone know if a 6-foot-tall guy will actually fit in the car with the top up???

- Steve Richardson
St Louis MO

 

[drooartz]

Can't answer to the top-up, question, but I test drove a TF last year and fit decently. I'm 6' 1", and the only real issue I had was with foot space -- wide feet made the narrow pedal spacing an issue. Shoulder room was decent, though.

 

[zblu]

Had a TD as a kid, I'm 6'1", although always with top down, was OK, have a AH BN1 now, look thru the top windscreen frame at times with the top up, lower the seats!
Serious tho, find one to sit in first!

 

[aeronca65t]

I'm 6' and about 190 lbs and fit nicely in these cars.

But I also fit fine in Sprites and Midgets.

Maybe a little Yoga is in order?

 

[vping]

I'm 5'10" 200 lbs and fit in it with the top up. 2" taller should not effect you as there is plenty of leg room, but pulling your legs up to your chest to get them in the door is a bit tricky. Steering wheel is really close too.

 

[David_DuBois]

Steve - I am 6" 2" and have been driving a TD for over 30 years. There is more leg room in the TD than there is in our MGB. The only problem is seeing signals with the top up (since we live in the Puget Sound area of Washington state and drive the car year around, that is often) when stopped at the cross walk at an intersection. I have found that a good shiny bonnet works very well for watching the signal and seeing when it changes. Th biggest problem we have experienced with the TD is when my wife (at 5" 3") drives. Since the seat is a bit of a pain to adjust, we carry a large cushion for her to put behind her back so she can reach the pedals. Oh yes, in case you think that we just drive the MGs occasionally, they are the only two cars we own - we do have an old pickup that is used to haul stuff we can't get in the MGs, gravel, full sheets of plywood (8' 2 X 4s fit fine in the MGs with only a bit sticking out the back), etc.
Cheers,

 

[stever_sl]

Oh yes, in case you think that we just drive the MGs occasionally, they are the only two cars we own - we do have an old pickup that is used to haul stuff we can't get in the MGs, gravel, full sheets of plywood (8' 2 X 4s fit fine in the MGs with only a bit sticking out the back), etc.

I'm loving this! For several years the only car I owned was a TR7, one of the early Speke-built cars with the legendary (and very true) bad build quality. Somehow I not only managed to get back and forth to work every day, but I moved myself 600 miles from Asheville NC to St Louis, too.

Wish I could find a TD to "try on" so to speak, before I make a yes/no buy decision on one that's all the way out on the left coast. There's an MG club here somewhere, maybe I'll try to find a sympathetic soul. In the meantime, thanks for all the replies!

- Steve Richardson

 

[Matt_F]

I agree with all of the above.

First, test one to see if you fit. You definitely should. I'm just under 6' even, 190 lbs, 30" inseam and I fit, but there isn't a lot of extra room around the pedals.

The seats really have some smart and simple adjustment: fore-aft for the seat bottoms, and angle for the seat backs.

Compared to most cars, in the TD you really sit on the floor. Also, the car was designed when men still wore hats, so there's quite a lot of headroom. You'll notice this when the top is up, it really peaks right around the driver's head.

Matt

 

[David_DuBois]

"You'll notice this when the top is up, it really peaks right around the driver's head."
Only in the later TDs and the TFs with the three bow tops.
Cheers,

 

[Matt_F]

"You'll notice this when the top is up, it really peaks right around the driver's head."
Only in the later TDs and the TFs with the three bow tops.
Cheers,

Mine is a two bow top, and it peaks right where the driver's head is.
(The vinyl top with holes will be replaced with a cloth top with no holes. )