Tall guys in cobras

[Boon]

Heard that taller people have trouble fitting into superformance cobras. I'm almost 6'2 and weigh 215. Anyone out there my size that has a superformance? How do you fit? Should I be looking for a backdraft? Hear they are stretched.

[Cashburn]

You should fit in either. Your wallet will be a bit thicker in the Backdraft though.

We've got a new floor mod as well that let's those big size 13+ shoes fit if you have them.

[Mark Brye]

I am 6'4 260 and mostly all legs. I fit great in the BDR. The Superformance my knee hits the door hinge. Have tried both early and late models with no luck on the SPF. But I hear that some taller guys than me drive them so you must be able to mod them. You really need to go sit in the cars. I have been in my buddies West Coast which is a 96" and there is now way I could drive that car. Knees hit the dash. Also Classic Roadster which is longer. My knees hit the dash.

Even with my thicker wallet, I fit in the BDR. I have to watch my shoes though. I tend to wear my "water shoes" to give me more foot room between gas pedal and brake pedal.

[Xack]

Originally Posted by Mark Brye

I am 6'4 260 and mostly all legs. I fit great in the BDR. The Superformance my knee hits the door hinge. Have tried both early and late models with no luck on the SPF. But I hear that some taller guys than me drive them so you must be able to mod them. You really need to go sit in the cars. I have been in my buddies West Coast which is a 96" and there is now way I could drive that car. Knees hit the dash. Also Classic Roadster which is longer. My knees hit the dash.

Even with my thicker wallet, I fit in the BDR. I have to watch my shoes though. I tend to wear my "water shoes" to give me more foot room between gas pedal and brake pedal.

West Coast Owner here,
You have to modify the dash on request from the factory and put different seats in it. The factory seats lean you back and push your pelvis forward a bit. If you put seats like the AC or Shelby style and mount them directly to the floor, you'll have no problems what so ever. I'm 6'2" 35" inseam and when I push my foot down on the clutch, my knee it's fully extended.

Now, purchasing a West Coast... why you would or would not is entirely a different question... More on this if you have any curiosities.

Xack

[snakewench]

Not a tall guy, but a tall, long-legged gal of close to 6ft; no problems fitting in the SPF, but the cockpit IS a bit tighter than my first Cobra, a MidStates/Shell Valley kit. The BD cockpit is noticeably larger, therefore likely more comfy for longer legs, but for me the SPF is perfect...I absolutely LOVE this car!

DMD

[Boon]

Had heard that the earlier SPF bodies are a bit bigger. Does anyone know what chassis number they made the change to smaller body?

[Large Arbor]

I am 6'2" and 205 and drive an ERA and have to move the seat forward. If Superformance has dropped footboxes and seats I cannot image not fitting.

Phil

[Sailfish]

I'm 6'2" and 225 and have a Superformance (#2144). The car fits me perfectly and I have plenty of legroom. The footwell offers enough room to comfortly move your legs around and there's plenty of room to get in and out of the car. I installed spacers (1") under the seat to increase the ride height and after almost 20,000 miles in the car I wouldn't change a thing.

[Dimis]

6'2" tall?
Not in my world.
Meh, must just be a basketball thing.

For your reference: I'm the short bloke at only 6'.
I fit easily into a SPF when I tried it on for size.
And that was on right hand drive car, with I'm guessing - smaller foot boxes than you'll see on a left hand drive car.

I wouldn't have thought Size, in this case, would be the determining factor of your purchase.


Best of luck with it.

[twobjshelbys]

I tried on a Superformance and with the seat in a comfortable position the steering wheel hit my lap. My message to everyone looking at a cobra is to try to sit in YOUR CAR, not one like it, but the one you are buying!

[cycleguy55]

I'm 6'2"+ with a 34" inseam and I fit fine in my West Coast - now that I've changed the seats. Like Xack pointed out, the WC seats aren't a good fit for taller drivers, nor do they supply any lateral or lumbar support. The fact mine were covered in non-breathable vinyl made them even worse. In short, they suck.

I replaced my seats with a pair from a RHD Honda Civic Del Sol. They're narrow enough, but only barely - they can only move about 2" on the sliders. Regardless, they addressed all the shortcomings of the original seats, though they're far from faithful to the original seats.

As to authenticity, the WC Cobra is already different enough from the original cars I wasn't worried about the high back seats being an issue in that regard.

[Got the Bug]

If you want plenty of room in an SPF, a pretty standard mod is to remove the seat rails and bolt the see to the floor all the way back.

I'm 6' 2", 34 inseam, about 200 lbs, and took out the seat rails and it's still cozy. You sit a little lower, which is also nice. The downside (or upside) is that no one else can drive your car unless they are the same height/dimension as you are.

[RenoSteve]

I realize this is a old thread but I can add to the confusion about height vs cobras !! I am 6 ' 6 " and always wanted a 427 cobra ( always ) ! Living in Lake Forest ca. I was 8 min from superformance headquarters , stopped in one day . I sat in different cars from gt 40s , not a chance !, to daytonas almost but not quite. After buying a superformance ( with the dropped foot box )with a 482 ci shelby engine I was determined. Then Ashton , lance Standers son said he could help. Removing the seat rail didn't help so he had a plan. Removing the carpeting and floor pan he cut off the seat bolting tabs at the top of the tube frame and welded them to the bottom . Fabricated a new aluminum floor pan , sealed all the seams and modified the seat bottom hoop . Bolted the seat as far back with a slight tilt back . Carpet reinstalled and badabing I am driving my beautiful Cobra in Reno now with room to move my knees and a little extra . Looking straight out the middle of the wind screen , level with my wife next to me Totally impressed with Superformance cars fit ,finish and employees . It's no wonder Carroll Shelby choice them to build all the Shelby continuation cars. So my long inseam brothers , you have a way to your dream !!

[lovehamr]

Seriously man?