I'm to Big any advice

[tinybubble24]

My love for the Cobra has encountered its first major problem. I have been looking and investigating a purchase of a cobra. Found one recently in my area, went to visit and found I just couldnt comfortably fit in the car.

The kit is a Fargo built kit that I was told gives more room. Bigger dor set and tilt wheel and still not enough room.

Any advice on Kits or modifications that might allow my 6'3" 260 lb frame fit in would be greatly appreciated.

needing help or other consolation.

John

[rdorman]

Bob Evans is 7'1 and he fits in his standard wheel base Unique! I think probably the roomiest will be classic roadsters. Talk to DV on the thread here. I think he might have one for sale, you just missed a beautiful one that is on its way to Alaska. Its previous owner was about your height.

[Ron61]

John,

You might try giving Emerson Motorsports a call. I live about 1 mile from his shop and he custom builds cars to fit any person. I know of two people so far that are larger than you he has built cars for and they can get in and out easily. One weighed around 350 pounds and another was about 6' 4" and I think he weighed over 200 pounds but can't say for sure. He could at least tell you what to do about getting a car that you car use. Also D.V. who is very active in this club would be a great source to talk to and he is closer to you than Emerson.

Ron

[mikiec]

You might want to give Midstates a call. They offer a big boy model in the standard 90 inch wheel base. They modify the seat cushions and lower the foot boxes.

Mike

[JWheaton]

Not So Tiny Bubble,

Since I have roughly the same height and weight numbers you have I hope I can be of some help here.

When I decided to purchase a Cobra I looked into the used market and really found that whatever I sat in did not work for me. The best place to do this I found was House of CObras in Ca. because they had all sorts of different brands to sit in at one location.

After further working with manufacturers I found that most would be able to accomodate with either different footboxes, lowered seat deck, removed chair rails, and/or reduced cushioning in the actual seat. (or combination of them all).

You will find that while you are big, that most cars can be built to accept your size.

Some advice:

Buy new instead of used -- you may get lucky in the used market but I found it more difficult.

Talk to each manufacturer to see what they can do.
ERA, Superformance, Unique, FF5 all (I believe may be able to accomodate)

Don't get bigger or better yet get smaller like I am trying to do.

Good luck in your search

[Ken Greene]

Get PETEK to respond to this topic he built a CR and is in the same height/weight world as you (and me for that matter 6'5" 270) I am planning on building a CR one for the streched capability and for other reasons also


her is the link to PETEK build site if you want to do a bit of reading about his processes (good Humor too)
http://www.birch.net/~petek/cobra/cobra.htm

[GeorgiaSnake]

Get Small

[Mr.Fixit]

Newer SPF'swith the dropped floor have lots of room. Even more if you remove the seat sliders and bolt the seat down in a fixed position. I had several customers who are BIG guys, they all have SPF's. I am only 6'2" but skinny, I see over the tops of some cobras windshields! Just try sevral brands, some will fit beter than others. Also, you will fit differently in a cobra that most cars, just the nature of the beast. What feels a little awkward at first can feel really comfortable when you get used to it.

[Todd Baumann]

John,
I am 6'2" and 270 and I drive a Factory Five, I know that with only a inch on me you should fit fine. Look for all types in your area and get in contact with the owners and see if they will allow you to try them on.
Todd

[tinybubble24]

Thanks for all teh advice and keep it coming if u have more. I can trim down to fit but dont think i am going to get any shorter ha ha.

[Double Venom]

Tiny...
Fact is, CR's is the largest cockpit area. Somebody correct me if I'm wrong. If you need more, we have modified them to be even bigger, lowering the floor pan, moving the rear deck backwards allowing the seats to go back farther, opening up the footwell on the drivers side adding almost 2 full inches to the left. Moving the front firewall on the drivers side outboard is also an option.

We did this and still mounted a V10 Viper engine in it!

The seats retain there fore and aft movement too.

If you get to central Ohio area stop in. We'll fit you to one of them!

FFR, Mid-States, EM, CR's...all in house!

DV

[Jamo]

Bunch of panzy-assed punks...

Yo Tiny

6' 330lbs. Now, you may think your being taller makes you a more difficult fit. But sitting down, I'd venture to say my ass puts me right up there at eye level with you.

Some variables need to be considered--are you long legged, or do you sit tall in the saddle pardner? I just sold a Butler (same as Arntz) that has extremely long footwells, a steering column that came out of the dash just below the cowl, no seat rails, etc. and I would have to stretch to push the pedals with some shoes. I could, and did, drive it for extremely long trips (one over 1500 miles) without a problem.

As DV pointed out--builders can build in size for you. It can be tough, and expensive, to do it later. The Kirkhams are building me what has been alternately referred to as a Rochester Big & Tall model or a Jamo model by my so-called skinny-assed friends.

Seek and ye shall find...

[GeorgiaSnake]

Man do I feel inadequate - what are you guys eating? Since I have what my wife calls short legs (I prefer to think low center of gravity) I just made sure I had Unique send me the seat rails.

Randy

Jamo are you a lawyer or offensive guard?

[tinybubble24]

Thanks for all teh advice and keep it coming if u have more. I can trim down to fit but dont think i am going to get any shorter ha ha.

[Jamo]

Randy

A very offensive lawyer.

Guard--a wimp position. Played center. Try sticking your head up your ass for a punt/field goal snap with a linebacker hovering over you.

[bmalone]

One thing you will notice, at first you think you do not fit. Well, you're probably right--don't fit as well as a normal car. But, after time goes by you definitely get used to it.

I'm about your size and I fit in a Contemporary--not one of the roomiest kits out there. ERA offers far more room. Got to sit in several to tell for yourself.

For instance, on my car I at first had difficulty getting my right leg to fit under the steering wheel to apply the brake. Was even considering going down to a 14" steering wheel. I modified my driving style a bit and now I don't even notice it.

Don't give up, and I think buying used is a sound approach, but try out a few.

ANd oh yeah, removing the seat rails does help a lot.

[GeorgiaSnake]

Jamo - I should have known.

As to what you guys eat I think it must be damn near everything within reach.

[KobraKarl]

Jamo,

I been wonderin where your head was

[KobraKarl]

soory , i cant resist the cheap ones either

[GeorgiaSnake]

Could this be .................. nah !