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MG MGA - pedal position for big feet

I checked the archives and couldn't find any information on the subject of pedal placement. I find that I struggle with the pedals, particularly the brake and accelerator, because my feet are so big and wondered if anyone had a great solution for the too close spacing of the pedals.

I would also like to extend the pedals so shorter people in my family can drive the A so I'm wide open to complete modification of the pedal assembly.

Thanks for your help,

Randy Myers
Randy Myers

My wife has never driven our MGA, which we have owned for more than 20 years, as she can't reach the pedals. I have suggested fitting blocks of wood to her favourite shoes but this was, for whatever reason, not an acceptable solution!
Peter.
P. Tilbury

Randy

Sorry, I have no answer to your problem. However, I am delighted that the shorter people in my family (wife primarily) cannot reach the pedals. I hate other people driving MY car!!!

Steve
Steve Gyles

I have size 13's. You have to learn to drive with your toe instead of the ball of your foot. I also sometimes have a problem with my shoelace catching the brake pedal while the accelerator is depressed. You don't notice it until you're trying to pick your foot up and apply it to the brake. I try not to wear those shoes....
Mark J Michalak

I bent the padals to give much more space between the brake and the accelerator pedal, and the clutch pedal is a hair's breadth from the right edge of the dimmer switch.

I have wide size 11 feet...

Driving a car with the normal pedal arrangement is a lot harder for me, and feels very very strange
dominic clancy

I modified the pedals by cutting the pad off, and welding a 2 inch length of steel between the pad and where the pad was attached to the pedal arm. This allows my wife to reach the pedals and drive the car. I also bent the pedals just below the bushings area to seperate them a little more. The pedals are made out of a mild steel, and bent freely, without danger of cracking. I added a 2 inch hollow aluminum spacer to the throttle pedal also. None of this is noticable to the eye unless you are looking for the changes.
I also made a removable toe board that is spaced back about a foot from the real toe board on the passinger side so that my wife has something to put her feet against while riding as a passinger. It just lays in place, and can be removed by simply lifting it out of the car. It's covered with black carpet to match the rest, and is practically invisable to the casual observer.
Ed Bell

Wear moccasins? Pain in the neck, but if it will work, a lot easier than changing the pedals.
Del Rawlins

I bought a Paddy Hopkirk gas pedal. Moss has them for under $30. The heel and toe extention allows me to drive with my right foot turned with the toe towards the transmission tunnel crossing under the brake pedal. This sounds less comfortable than it is- it allows my right knee to rest against the tunnel.

For me, the main issue is width. I avoid tennis shoes with "bumpers" around the toe as these can get caught under the brake pedal at inopportune times.

Have fun,
Bill
Bill Eastman

Like Mark, I'm a proud size 13 wearer since middle school. I frequently catch the edge of my shoe on the brake pedal as I'm pushing down on the gas. I have to constantly check myself to make sure I haven't snagged the brake pedal while driving. I'm also 6' 4" and have to drive "splayed-legged" because of that. If I could get the pedals two inches farther forward, and another half inch of clearance between the gas and brake pedals, I'd be in heaven. But 1955 wasn't car heaven for tall people with big feet.

My dad, who was a slim 6' 6", went to try out a Ford Thunderbird when they first came out. One evening, with all the flood lights glaring on the showroom floor in downtown Tacoma, he managed to wedge himself behind the wheel. To the salesmen's horror, and my mom's only partial amusement (as dozens of people watched) he had to lie down on the floor and crawl out from under the steering wheel to exit the car. They kept their 49 Chev.
David Breneman

Gents,
I use the Piloti driving shoes from the US http://www.piloti.com/products/ they are B fitting, nice round heel. Strasse model is great - slip on version.
Mike
Mike Ellsmore (1)

I use the Piloti G16s and they work pretty well. Laces are long so I double tie them to avoid looping the brake pedal. Running shoes and hiking boots definitely a problem.
If I ever have the pedals out I still might bend them a bit.
Steven B

Thanks for all your advice. I have a spare set of "A" pedals and I am going to try to bend them get a bettter fit. I noticed that my '75 mgb has a better pedal spread and I'll use that as a good example. If anyone has sucessfully bent their pedals and has some measurements available I would appreciate hearing about them.

Again, thanks for your help,

Randy myers
Randy Myers

This thread was discussed between 02/09/2008 and 07/09/2008

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