Thanks Eric, and I am certainly happy to be back. Actually take possession tomorrow (sat) and my quest will start. My upfront thinking has led me to consider a mildly modified bicycle rack, it holds 100lbs and my chair is 1\3 or 1\2 that. Would require a 2" receiver installed below the bumber but the bumper seem strong enough, or maybe mount it on top, hmmmm. As the rest of me is strong enough lifting the chair is not a big problem. Crawling up to the drivers seat is also no big deal, I have crawled before and I even have knee pads (Venice in 09), so no biggie.
I have an aeronautical engineer friend who wants to put a solenoid or something similar attached to a button on the shift lever to activate the clutch on demand. I think a padded push pad attached to the clutch would allow me to use what is left of my left leg and work the clutch normally. I think that will be the first try. My right will opeerate the throttle and brake normally but without the left foot taking up so much room for my size 13s. Brewster Thackeray, AROC president has even suggested the possibility of an Alfa Owner article. I am goiing to proceed with that possibility in mind. And a hearty HELLO to my old mates at the Houston AROC Scuderia Chapter. Jerry Lewis Phoenix, AZ Date: Wed, 20 Jan 2010 23:23:00 -0500 From: Eric Hambleton <[email protected]> Subject: [alfa] Re: Back In The Alfa Fold Welcome back, Jerry. I've read AD and other Alfa-related forums for years (1.5 decades, maybe?) and I've not seen this topic covered before. You'll likely have to look beyond Alfa sources and into more general automotive forums for answers. A quick Google search brought up this thread where the driver is a bit more challenged (an RAK amputee...opposite your situation) but the brainstorming is intriguing: http://www.gassavers.org/showthread.php?t=11511 The original poster arrives at a pedal solution but nothing further beyond that point. As far as wheelchair conveyance goes, I've seen a variety of hauling issues discussed over the years. The trunk exterior surface is highly susceptible to denting, so slinging to the back would be out without a great deal of padding. There's a decent space behind the seats inside but your chair would need to be compact and light to lift it in and out...plus this would only be an option with the top down (but rain is not common in AZ, right?) The trunk interior is amazingly long and wide. Getting there from the drivers seat might be a bit of a PITA, though. Anyone else want to weigh in on this? Surely someone, sometime has needed to transport a wheelchair in a Spider? - - Eric H., Marietta, GA Current Alfas: 1976 Spider & 1991 164 base -- to be removed from alfa, see http://www.digest.net/bin/digest-subs.cgi or email "unsubscribe alfa" to [email protected]
