DDK - Die Deutschen Klassiker

I have a question for any owners of Lightweights that there may be listening here.

What are they like for driving distances? E.G. Say to Le Mans or further afield? Are those sports seats comfortable enough for distance, and does the lack of sound damping become an earful?

I realise that's why the Touring exists, but just wondered if anybody had Lightweighted across Europe?



Cheers,

Steve.

May I suggest a set of noise reduction headphones and a cushion?

Gary71 wrote:May I suggest a set of noise reduction headphones and a cushion?

Are they that bad? Have you driven one Gary?




Steve.

I am not an owner of a 'Lightweight' but I have driven one (one of the 17 RHD versions) a fair amount so feel able to comment.

The original Recaro 'LWT' seats are very hard & uncomfortable for any distance - depending on your build (height & weight) you may be able to tolerate them for medium distances but I certainly wouldn't entertain thoughts of driving across Europe in them!

HI Spydermon

"OK: Tyres "

I'm guessing that to steer away from the period high-profile tyres would adversely affect the delicate set-up and handling of the RS? That the sidewall flexion would be kind of 'built-in' to the car? (I did search, so a thread pointy would be fine, but I couldn't find anything directly about the RS)

So: Which manufacturers actually make tyres for the RS? Are they just general tyres, or are there types that are actually good? Is it worth the manufacturers while to make good compounds for so (relatively) few cars, that let's be honest, do not do high miles, even average miles?

Do I have to accept that part of the 70's car experience is 70's level grip too?

I have a customer with low profile tyres on his RS, the only prob' is gearing, and as for grip it is a lot better.



this is his car with 7-8x15's

regards mike

Spydermon wrote:

Gary71 wrote:May I suggest a set of noise reduction headphones and a cushion?

Are they that bad? Have you driven one Gary?

Steve.

No, just based on seeing one RS recreation owner arrive at a meeting with ear defenders on...

Lightweight_911 wrote:I am not an owner of a 'Lightweight' but I have driven one (one of the 17 RHD versions) a fair amount so feel able to comment.

The original Recaro 'LWT' seats are very hard & uncomfortable for any distance - depending on your build (height & weight) you may be able to tolerate them for medium distances but I certainly wouldn't entertain thoughts of driving across Europe in them!

Thanks Andy,

Yet another gem of info!

I did suspect this, but kind of hoped otherwise. Ah well, just the Tourings then...

Cheers,


Steve.

MBEngineering wrote: I have a customer with low profile tyres on his RS, the only prob' is gearing, and as for grip it is a lot better.


regards mike

Thanks for weighing in Mike, I've heard a lot about you, and all good!
I've come across the gearing thing with bikes, Should've guessed it applied to cars too! I suppose it makes the point of 'letting-go' a lot more abrupt too? Must be worth it for the grip though.

That RS looks beautiful, is that Seeblau? (Is that the same as Dalmatian Blue?)

BTW. Does anybody else think that the RS looks fantastic with that low-profile look! Wow. So now I need two sets of wheels and tyres; one for going out playing, and one for turning up at club events.


Steve.

I haven't driven as far as across Europe in mine, but have done several long-ish journeys in / around the UK. My car doesn't have the usual correct RS seats with the knurled knobs on the side, but a slightly different sport seat which I beleive to be factory fitted, and is pictured in one of the interior shots in the RS bible. I find it comfortable enough, though it is somewhat narrow on the shoulders. The regular RS seats are pretty uncomfortable, especially for the larger driver (and by that I mean anyone above average size, not just fatties!!!!!!)
I drove to Peterborough and back yesterday for a photoshoot - keep your eyes on the next few issues of Car magazine and felt as fresh after that as the late night and early morning with hangover could allow!
The suspension is fairly stiff and the car really jiggles around on road imperfections and cat's eyes, but since one of my other cars is a Caterham I barely notice any discomfort

paulyb wrote:I haven't driven as far as across Europe in mine, but have done several long-ish journeys in / around the UK. My car doesn't have the usual correct RS seats with the knurled knobs on the side, but a slightly different sport seat which I beleive to be factory fitted, and is pictured in one of the interior shots in the RS bible. I find it comfortable enough, though it is somewhat narrow on the shoulders. The regular RS seats are pretty uncomfortable, especially for the larger driver (and by that I mean anyone above average size, not just fatties!!!!!!)
I drove to Peterborough and back yesterday for a photoshoot - keep your eyes on the next few issues of Car magazine and felt as fresh after that as the late night and early morning with hangover could allow!
The suspension is fairly stiff and the car really jiggles around on road imperfections and cat's eyes, but since one of my other cars is a Caterham I barely notice any discomfort

Hi Paul,

Thanks for this.

I'll reply later this PM.


Steve.

Spydermon wrote:Ah well, just the Tourings then...
Cheers,
Steve.

if you are a serious buyer you can't possibly discount a lightweight given the opportunity to buy one, on account of an uncomfortable seat!
The sensible thing to do is have the proper lightweight seats for originality sake, shows etc, and a touring seat for long runs. Takes 15 mins to swop them over.

Quite agree.

In fact I can't see how far you can go down the car hunting route without actually getting out there and driving some. Whilst it's good to do research, there's a limit to how far you can go without getting your (and a paid-expert I would think at this level) hands on some metal?

Barry wrote:Whilst it's good to do research, there's a limit to how far you can go without getting your hands on some metal?

I reckon a 33 page thread is reasearch enough.

Mike wrote:

Spydermon wrote:Ah well, just the Tourings then...
Cheers,
Steve.

if you are a serious buyer you can't possibly discount a lightweight given the opportunity to buy one, on account of an uncomfortable seat!
The sensible thing to do is have the proper lightweight seats for originality sake, shows etc, and a touring seat for long runs. Takes 15 mins to swop them over.

I was only joking there Mike, apols for the misunderstanding. I shouldn't have left the comment hanging like that.

Steve.

Ferry Man wrote:

Barry wrote:Whilst it's good to do research, there's a limit to how far you can go without getting your hands on some metal?

I reckon a 33 page thread is reasearch enough. [/quote



'War and Peace' was briefer.....