In my current Bugatti design, keeping true to scale proved impossible when it came to fitting myself inside.  I needed to upscale the cockpit which caused the long sleek front to be shortened and stubby looking.  My current design was 22.5” wide, 24” long, and 23.7” deep.  After getting into a couple of cyclekarts while at Huntsville, I found that the one that was 19” wide was doable, but a tight fit.  The 27” depth from the seat front to the panel was a tight fit for me as I could ever want.  The owner said another inch would be just right for him. 

I got to drive in one of Steve Vincent’s cars.  Its cockpit dimensions were 20.75” wide, 28.5” long, and 24” deep.   I felt very comfortable inside.  Getting out was still another thing.  Long lost was my ability to push myself up.

I also learned from Dennis Thomas that I need between 18″ to 21″ between the floor and the bottom of the instrument panel to enable easy ingress and egress from the car.  Given my larger-than-life bulky self, I better shoot for 21″.  Thank you, Dennis!

So I am going to have to lengthen my cockpit at least three inches if not four.  It looks like the other dimensions will work out just fine.  Having this opportunity to visit and trial-fit other cockpits while at Huntsville was really a very important benefit to me. 

While one could mockup a cardboard cockpit, sitting inside an actual cyclekart and even driving one lets you know exactly how well you fit and comfortable you are while driving the car.