Another question for Triumph people

My father has been a fan of the LBC for decades. I can remember many a fun trip in one of his BGTs when I could still fit in what they called a "back seat" (I am almost 40 now)

With two artificial hips and his age, getting into and out of LBCs is getting to be harder and harder. In talking to him, I managed to plant the seed of a TR 250 or a TR6 in him.

The question is.. how much bigger inside is your Tr250/5 TR 6 compared to an MGB. He does not have a lot of movement, but can just about managed to get himself seated into a B if he does not mind sacrificing what is left of his dignity

There may be a tiny bit more room in a TR, but it is going to be pretty similar to an MGB space-wise.

He may want to consider a larger car......Stag? Pagoda Merc? Those would be easier to get in and out of.

Jensen Interceptor. Our club President for Life has one and he's like 6'7" or better. Also has cold AC and a Chrysler 440.

http://atlanta.craigslist.org/atl/cto/1876267946.html

Dr. Hess wrote: Jensen Interceptor. Our club President for Life has one and he's like 6'7" or better. Also has cold AC and a Chrysler 440.

I keep trying to convince the other half to go for one of these in lieu of an BMW 850 (she wants a more comfortable touring cruiser). Unfortunately, she thinks the Jensen is fugly and compared to an 8 series, it's hard to argue with her. Still, I'd much rather keep a 440/727 running than a 20-year-old-cutting-edge-electronics German car... no matter how good they look.

I may point him towards the stag.. he wants an english roadster. Maybe a jag with a popped engine?

I have a MGB GT and a TR6 in the garage currently. The TR6 feels roomier once you are inside, however, it is still a very similar angle of attack to get in. At least with the TR if the top is down you can stand on the seat, grab the windshield frame and lower yourself down the fist bit. Then you just drop the last bit.

If I absolutely had to drive a Brit car while suffering from hip issues, I would build a scissor type hydraulic lift to raise the seat when I wanted out. I would start by looking for lift mechanisms from the junkyard; some of the new seats adjust up for anything from midget to NBA player height.

Maybe a Jensen GT if you could find one. My TR4 was not very roomy inside, maybe a bit more than a B, but if so not by much.

What's the budget like? Maybe a big Healey would fit the bill? Never sat in one but they may offer the space and height you're looking for.

Or you could just get a Porsche 944 Cabrio...

The TR6 is probably a little easier to get into than a B, but not by much. The footwell is fairly narrow, and there's no dead pedal to help take the strain off your left leg. The seat, while comfortable, is fairly short and doesn't do much to support your legs. Also, depending upon how it's set up, the clutch pedal can be a bit heavy.

An Austin Healey is fairly low to the ground, but they are comfortable once in place. The Stag sounds like a good choice, too. What about a MGTD? They might actually sit higher than the Triumph, and have a bench seat and suicide doors, The running boards could help or hurt ingress.

XJS. Not ttoo low to get in and out of. It's English, and there are affordable ones out there. Even the convertible ones. A Rover sedan? Bring him to a show/club meet, and "try" some out before committing the money on a mistake.

now there is a good idea.. letting him try before he buys..

I'm just glad to hear your dad still likes cars enough to even go through this. Most people would have given up and start driving a Buick by now...

I hope I still have that attitude at his age!

well, he got his first artificial hip at 23.. the second at 25. If the last 35 years have not stopped him, nothing will.