A Cobra for the "taller" driver

[windy]

Hunter was the best fit I found. I was 6'6", 250 when I got it, and with the 96" wheelbase, dropped footwell and seats, I can comfortably straighten my legs if I need to. I am down to 225 because it is cheaper to take 25 pounds off of me than it is to take it off the car!

[kmccormick]

I'm 6'2" and my BDR fits perfect

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by patrickt

RodKnock says you need to drop 30 lbs. We'll attack the abdominals starting Monday. Heavy workouts, morning and evening. You'll enjoy your Cobra more.

In theory, he could be chiseled, but more than likely, he'll need to drop at least 20 lbs.

And the new "in" word is "core" not abdominals. Back, obliques, butt, etc. I know where you can take a butts and guts class, if anyone is interested.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by RodKnock

In theory, he could be chiseled, but more than likely, he'll need to drop at least 20 lbs.

Uhhh, maybe he can just set his corner weights instead?

[rms427]

I'm 6'6" 220 pounds. When I purchased my cobra in 1968 I was 6'6.5" and 230 pounds. I saw the add in the paper for the car and I went to see it on the way to purchase clothes for my new job out of college. The owner asked if I wanted to drive it and I couldn't figure out how to get in behind the steering wheel so I just got a ride. I forgot about the clothes and went home and spent a week convincing my dad to cosign a loan. I told him it would be worth more in the future. I really didn't care I just wanted the car and used that to help convince him. He finally agreed and I gave the owner $100 to hold the car. He held it for about 2 months until I graduated from college. I didn't tell my dad I hadn't been able to drive the car. I felt I would figure that out after I got it. When I went to pick up the car I found that if I stepped over the steering wheel I could get in. So I put the key on my key ring and off I went. After a few blocks the car died. I wasn't too happy but found out that my knee hit the key ring and shut the car off. I have driven the car ever since with a bare key.

I thought I could shove the seat back by denting in the fender wells. That didn't work since the tires then rubbed on the tires. I did take out the seat tracks and bolted the seat to the floor with some quarter inch steel plates. This gave a bit more headroom so that the top didn't flutter on my head. I drove the car as my every day car for 4 years putting about 48,000 miles on it. I did slaloms, drag racing and rallies. This included several SCCA 12 hour rallies from LA to Las Vegas and Encenada Mexico. So the car was fairly comfortable for me when I was in my 20's. I bent the light switch with my knee while slaloming the car and eventually broke it off.

A few years ago I redid the seats and the guy added a bit of padding. This was a mistake. I still fit but not as well as before. The longest drive with the new seats has been 350 miles. The car is comfortable for me to drive it's just a bit more difficult to use the pedals. Now my car does not have a roll bar. I have driven an original SC and a Kirkham and they were more difficult to drive. I did not fit in a 289 Cobra with a roll bar. I assume the roll bars don't allow the seat to go back as far.

So at 6'6" 35 inch inseam I fit OK in my car. It's much more comfortable than the 90 ZR-1 I owned but no where near as comfortable as my C6 Z06. I could not drive the older Corvettes and had trouble driving a Viper GTS coup. I fit in it about the same as the SC and Kirkham. I could drive them but it was really difficult using the clutches. By the way the seating in my car is not a problem but the heat and wind buffeting are tough on a person approaching 70. This is especially the case with my wife.

[Mdman352]

I own a Contemporary and I'm 6'3" 295# with size 14 shoes.. I tossed the seats and used a Walmart pillow for a year until I could afford to finish the interior and had some custom "seats" made that fit onto the floor allowing me to sit 6" down and 6" back, cut 4" out of the side of the transmission tunnel, moved the rear header pipe (427)forward and got 2" more in the foot box, moved the pedals apart, moved the steering column to the right to "center up" the driving position a little better. Nick Acton did the fabrication/modification work. It was physically impossible to drive the car when I first got it. Now, I wear it out every chance i get.

[PHC1]

Originally Posted by rms427

I'm 6'6" 220 pounds. When I purchased my cobra in 1968 I was 6'6.5" and 230 pounds. I saw the add in the paper for the car and I went to see it on the way to purchase clothes for my new job out of college. The owner asked if I wanted to drive it and I couldn't figure out how to get in behind the steering wheel so I just got a ride. I forgot about the clothes and went home and spent a week convincing my dad to cosign a loan. I told him it would be worth more in the future. I really didn't care I just wanted the car and used that to help convince him. He finally agreed and I gave the owner $100 to hold the car. He held it for about 2 months until I graduated from college. I didn't tell my dad I hadn't been able to drive the car. I felt I would figure that out after I got it. When I went to pick up the car I found that if I stepped over the steering wheel I could get in. So I put the key on my key ring and off I went. After a few blocks the car died. I wasn't too happy but found out that my knee hit the key ring and shut the car off. I have driven the car ever since with a bare key.

I thought I could shove the seat back by denting in the fender wells. That didn't work since the tires then rubbed on the tires. I did take out the seat tracks and bolted the seat to the floor with some quarter inch steel plates. This gave a bit more headroom so that the top didn't flutter on my head. I drove the car as my every day car for 4 years putting about 48,000 miles on it. I did slaloms, drag racing and rallies. This included several SCCA 12 hour rallies from LA to Las Vegas and Encenada Mexico. So the car was fairly comfortable for me when I was in my 20's. I bent the light switch with my knee while slaloming the car and eventually broke it off.

A few years ago I redid the seats and the guy added a bit of padding. This was a mistake. I still fit but not as well as before. The longest drive with the new seats has been 350 miles. The car is comfortable for me to drive it's just a bit more difficult to use the pedals. Now my car does not have a roll bar. I have driven an original SC and a Kirkham and they were more difficult to drive. I did not fit in a 289 Cobra with a roll bar. I assume the roll bars don't allow the seat to go back as far.

So at 6'6" 35 inch inseam I fit OK in my car. It's much more comfortable than the 90 ZR-1 I owned but no where near as comfortable as my C6 Z06. I could not drive the older Corvettes and had trouble driving a Viper GTS coup. I fit in it about the same as the SC and Kirkham. I could drive them but it was really difficult using the clutches. By the way the seating in my car is not a problem but the heat and wind buffeting are tough on a person approaching 70. This is especially the case with my wife.

Great story! Thanks for sharing!

[Thor maine]

Originally Posted by Mdman352

I own a Contemporary and I'm 6'3" 295# with size 14 shoes.. I tossed the seats and used a Walmart pillow for a year until I could afford to finish the interior and had some custom "seats" made that fit onto the floor allowing me to sit 6" down and 6" back, cut 4" out of the side of the transmission tunnel, moved the rear header pipe (427)forward and got 2" more in the foot box, moved the pedals apart, moved the steering column to the right to "center up" the driving position a little better. Nick Acton did the fabrication/modification work. It was physically impossible to drive the car when I first got it. Now, I wear it out every chance i get.

So is that a picture after all those mods or before??? You look like your a little big for the car in that picture. I used in my Contemporary early Jag E-type seats. Cut down the back 3 inches, easy the frame is made of wood. The bottom part of the seat is lower than Cobra repo seats and the front edge is angled to give room for the trans tunnel so I kept the track slides and the seat can go the whole range of front to back.

[Mdman352]

Originally Posted by Thor maine

So is that a picture after all those mods or before??? You look like your a little big for the car in that picture. I used in my Contemporary early Jag E-type seats. Cut down the back 3 inches, easy the frame is made of wood. The bottom part of the seat is lower than Cobra repo seats and the front edge is angled to give room for the trans tunnel so I kept the track slides and the seat can go the whole range of front to back.

this was before.......

[Bill E]

No two people set the same in any given car. What works for one 6.2 guy will not work for the next. Cars at these performances levels require you to be countable with the controls. Big dog is probably the biggest guy on this site, But his car was built from the frame up to fit him. Not adjusted. A lot of it has to do with how much pain you can endure in to relation to how much pleaser you are getting.

[lovehamr]

Yup, gotta be able to count the controls.

[PHC1]

Today I got a chance to sit in a Kirkham 289 FIA and a Superformance 427 "street". I even got behind the wheel and drove the Superformance, thanks to two great members here. I really appreciate "mreid" and "jbcobra" taking their time out of their weekend to show me their cars and taking me and my son for a ride and even letting me get behind the wheel and try the Superformance.

My fear of not fitting comfortably has been erased. I fit in both cars just fine and the Superformance drivers seat was set up as stock, on rails, etc... so there is even more room to be had.

All I can say is these Cobras are FUN and ADDICTING. I want one yesterday!!!

[Got the Bug]

Originally Posted by PHC1

Today I got a chance to sit in a Kirkham 289 FIA and a Superformance 427 "street". I even got behind the wheel and drove the Superformance, thanks to two great members here. I really appreciate "mreid" and "jbcobra" taking their time out of their weekend to show me their cars and taking me and my son for a ride and even letting me get behind the wheel and try the Superformance.

My fear of not fitting comfortably has been erased. I fit in both cars just fine and the Superformance was set up as stock, on frame rails, etc... so there is even more room to be had.

All I can say is these Cobras are FUN and ADDICTING. I want one yesterday!!!

Awesome! Getting out and seeing and driving some different cars is what it's all about. Kudos to those brave owners who let you drive their car!

You're on your way. Happy hunting.

[Mark Brye]

I think you really need to sit in the cars yourself as I have found a different experience in each compared to what other people have stated. I am 6"4 with 34 inseam and currently at 260 pounds.
I have tried to drive a 1991 build classic roadster which is supposed to be larger than 90 and my legs smacked the dash. No way I could drive it. The owner of the car was I am guessing 6"2 and had to have weighed close to me. He drove it no problem.
Sat in an SPF that was a 2008ish build so I don't know the build number. It felt tight to me. I think if the seat was mounted to the floor, it would have been a little better. My friends West Coast is built on the 96 and there is now way I could drive that car. The seats sit higher which put my legs into the dash again.
My Backdraft fits me perfect, but I have to drive either with driving shoes or no shoes at all because the pedals don't fit my shoes.

[Mark IV]

The Superformance 289 Street Roadster ("Slabside") has even more room than the 427 unit due to the footbox design that has been done. i had a 6'4" guy sit in it at Watkins Glen and he put the seat forward one notch! The rear wheel well design on the 289 allows the seat to move farther rearward than on the 427 style cars.

We will have the car at London this weekend and invite everyone to "try it on!"