Cobra Make, Engine: ERA 623, 427 S/C Cobra. Ford FE 428 Cobra Jet, Ford Nascar TL 4speed - with a touch of raw; "less is more" theme
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Any Cobras to fit 6'5" tall drivers ???
Hello Members....
A good friend wants to try a Cobra again, but keeps complaining that he can't find a Cobra that will suit his long torso and head from peering above the windshield. He already tried a Classic Roadsters Cobra with the seat tilted way back, but his goofy mug was still lookin out over the windshield!
- Any as-built Cobras out there to fit 6'5" tall torso drivers?
- Any custom-built type brands that can be successfully made-to-fit well?
- How about ideas on lowered-seat replacement options that look decent, and still function well?
Just though I'd ask for him before he gives up on it.
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Duane Western States Cobra Group 1998-2016.
I fit with no troubles in my SPF at 6' 5". Mine is a 700 car so it has the droped foot box. Some big guys complain about peddle room but I drive it with regular tennis shoes on my size twelve feet. I will admit that I do turn my ball cap around backwards at freeway speed but that is about it.
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We have enough youth. What we need is a fountain of common sense
So should try John's Custom Fab in Coos Bay, Oregon. 541-888-9313. He custom makes his frames and molds the bodies on site. I have seen one of his cars that a 6'5" guy drives and he loves it. My car is down there right now. Nice guys to work with.
Cobra Make, Engine: ERA 623, 427 S/C Cobra. Ford FE 428 Cobra Jet, Ford Nascar TL 4speed - with a touch of raw; "less is more" theme
Posts: 3,880
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tried those...
Yeah he tried the Classic Roadsters with the seat layed back and Unique Motorcars 427SC, with the foot drop-box option. Eyes were centered right at the top of the windshield frame, even with minimum lower seat cushion foam.
As for SPF, he must have sat in one of the earlier cars because a few guys have mentioned that a 6'5" person should be able to fit.
The custom built idea might be a good way to go if anyone knows of others. Thanks to all so far.... good responses. !
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Duane Western States Cobra Group 1998-2016.
Im 6'3" and fit in an early spf nicely. SPF lowered the footbox to accomodate, and you can take out the seat adjusters which should lower you butt about 1.5" There are several kits that have an extended wheelbase...Lonestar, Classic et al. Buy Curt Scotts magazine on Cobra replicas on Cobra country, it gives an overall description of each quality kit on the market. If the kits not in there, it probably shouldnt even be considered.
I tried the driver's seat of a Backdraft Racing Roadster. The car has a 92" (optional 93") wheelbase plus adjustable pedals - fore and aft & sideways spacing. Standard equipment includes 13" Moto Lita steering wheel. Good room for me at 6"3" - and the roll bar was higher than my head. More room available with removal of seat adjusting rails.
By the way, it doesn't scream extended wheelbase - pretty well done.
You might talk to Enerson Motorsports who is on this club. I have seen cars they they built for guy's from 6'6" and over 350 pound on. So far they have made them all fit to the customers satisfaction. He is in Redding, Cal.which is in Northern Cal.
Randy built one for one of his customers who is taller than Randy and 'Randy is 6'-4" himself. This guy had to have custom footboxes because his shoes were very big.
One of Randy's Cars is in the latest Kit Car Magazine. It is in the article about engine combos and the Run and Gun article. Look for Robert Lightsey's car it is a 96" w.b. with a 502 chevy big block. I think it says Robert was in the title hunt all day and he finished in the top three in a couple of catagories.
Here is the picture from Kit Cars's website
Here is another
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His #502 is for the 502c.i. chevy. THe hood scoop on Roberts car is larger to accomidate the high rise manifold and big air cleaner.
Cobra Make, Engine: I used to fix them for a living
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I had a few big customers (6'-5" 300#)who drove SPF's and fit great. I am only 6'-2" so it isn't a problem for me, I can drive them all. Another thing, you sit in a cobra a bit differently than your regular passenger car, it just takes a little getting used to, even when the car fits you fine.
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In a fit of 16 year old genius, I looked down through the carb while cranking it to see if fuel was flowing, and it was. Flowing straight up in a vapor cloud, around my head, on fire.
I trust we are talking about Marc here? Although I managed to get pretty comfortable in the 95" JBL at 6'4" I am still a bit cramped. I could use another 2" but it's really not bad. If I had it to do again, I would have altered the driver's foot box. Actually just the pedal mounts and sheet metal below. The foot box is way deep enough, it's just the pedal location. As it is, I have altered the pedals to maximize the entire depth of the foot box. I am comfy but just not quite all the way comfy. Also in the JBL you are not sitting on top of the chassis. You are sitting on a 1" tube. I will re-configure the 1x2 tube to allow my seat to sit on the sheet metal floor skin. The seat mounts thru the side into the frame rails, Kirkey aluminum road race seats. Tipped back, you get excellent thigh support. I am pretty happy with the arrangement but it can always be better.
I guess where I'm trying to go here is, performance first....pick the car...and then tailor it. That is my recommendation. It would be pretty easy to accomplish. My eye line is just a bit above my air cleaner. I may be too low.
Marc is about my size. When we have our little party at the rod shop, I will try to have my car there with the actual seat installed for him. If he has never sat in a JBL he won't believe it. What did you call it... a scaled up go kart? That's about right.
I would be happy to help out.
John
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NASA - Instructor - 2012 TTA Champion - We Drive Harder!
Check out Lone Star Classics. I visited their place two weeks ago and "fitted" into several. I (6'4") fit nicely and had my eye balls centered in the middle of the windshield. Great product with good quality.
auto10x
Bill
Cobra Make, Engine: Former owner Contemporary FIA with 351W,Former Owner KMP 296 FIA Hybrid. Former owner CSX4241
Posts: 537
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I have heard that Bob Evans may be selling his beautiful Unique FIA. You must be at least 6'3" for his car so it may be what you are looking for. Give him a try.
Cobra Make, Engine: ERA 623, 427 S/C Cobra. Ford FE 428 Cobra Jet, Ford Nascar TL 4speed - with a touch of raw; "less is more" theme
Posts: 3,880
Not Ranked
at least a few options...
Everyone... Thank You.
This is useful information and first-hand confirmation on various makes, models, and manufacturers that are willing to make modifications.
I'm definitlely going to pass this thread along to googleneck. I'm trying to help him eliminate this final excuse that he's come up with more than a few times. No more excuses from him now, he can read it here from all of you!
Any other recommendations not already covered would be appreciated. He's got a few good choices now to start looking at.
See Ya.
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Duane Western States Cobra Group 1998-2016.
A couple of weeks ago I was up at ERA and sat in a car sans seat and had plenty of room, so I think with the right racing seat and no dead pedal I would fit decently. (6'6, 250)
I am 6'1" tall and when I purchased my car, I weighed 250. Now at 210 lbs. I cannot drive with the seat in the rearmost position. I sit well down into the car and look through the lower one-half of the windshield. The legroom is exceptional. With the racing seat, I think that you might need a pillow under you.
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Any Cobras to fit 6'5" tall drivers ???
6' 5" in an SPF
Backdraft Racing Roadster
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