Dropped centre dash (289FIA) - does it work OK for tall guys?

[Fullchat289]

Excellent thoughts, Tim.

I am over 6', more legs than torso and have no issues with the drop-center dash.

- Allen.

[jeffy]

Glen-

Do you plan to make your car right-hand drive (requires custom-made footboxes, according to the ERA site)? If so, there is more room to the right side of the center, dropped portion:



The story behind this curious arrangement is that, being British, the AC cars were nearly all built right-hand drive (other than the relatively few that were exported), so the dash was cut to provide more leg room on the driver side. When AC built cars that were left-hand drive, AC did not trouble to flip the dash template, so the dropped portion of the dash wound up encroaching on the driver's right knee! Jim Holden pointed this out to me.

Jeff

[xb-60]

Originally Posted by jeffy

Glen-

Do you plan to make your car right-hand drive (requires custom-made footboxes, according to the ERA site)? If so, there is more room to the right side of the center, dropped portion:

The story behind this curious arrangement is that, being British, the AC cars were nearly all built right-hand drive (other than the relatively few that were exported), so the dash was cut to provide more leg room on the driver side. When AC built cars that were left-hand drive, AC did not trouble to flip the dash template, so the dropped portion of the dash wound up encroaching on the driver's right knee! Jim Holden pointed this out to me.

Jeff

Thanks Jeff. Yes mine must be RHD. Your observation is quite a revelation, as the only picture I have in my folder of a RHD car with a dropped dash is that of a Mk IV, and the dropped section is in the centre of the dash (ie not offset). As well as that the instruments are in the centre as well, which is definitely not consistent with original 289s.
I'll have to go back to my books for a closer look!
So....RHD, dropped section offset to the left, handbrake placed nice and conveniently next to left knee - sounds made for it.
Makes me wonder why Shel didn't ask AC to change it after the first LHD cars were delivered...
Love this forum!
Glen

[jeffy]

Originally Posted by xb-60

Makes me wonder why Shel didn't ask AC to change it after the first LHD cars were delivered...
Love this forum!
Glen

Either he didn't notice, didn't care, or didn't want to pay AC for the change are my guesses. He was obviously much more engaged in the racing program.

[xb-60]

Originally Posted by jeffy

Either he didn't notice, didn't care, or didn't want to pay AC for the change are my guesses. He was obviously much more engaged in the racing program.

Can't blame a guy for focusing on what was important

[xb-60]

Originally Posted by jeffy

Glen-

Do you plan to make your car right-hand drive (requires custom-made footboxes, according to the ERA site)? If so, there is more room to the right side of the center, dropped portion

The story behind this curious arrangement is that, being British, the AC cars were nearly all built right-hand drive (other than the relatively few that were exported), so the dash was cut to provide more leg room on the driver side. When AC built cars that were left-hand drive, AC did not trouble to flip the dash template, so the dropped portion of the dash wound up encroaching on the driver's right knee! Jim Holden pointed this out to me.

Jeff

Does anybody have pics of the dash on a RHD dropped-centre dash 289 car, taken looking along the centreline of the car?
Cheers,
Glen

[jeffy]

Originally Posted by xb-60

Does anybody have pics of the dash on a RHD dropped-centre dash 289 car, taken looking along the centreline of the car?
Cheers,
Glen

This is the best I can find so far, of COB 6008, from the Brooklands Motor Co. site:



Link to more pics at the site:

http://www.brooklandsmotorcompany.co...f7frameset.htm

[xb-60]

Thanks Jeff. The resources accessible on this forum never cease to amaze.
Glen

Originally Posted by jeffy

This is the best I can find so far, of COB 6008, from the Brooklands Motor Co. site:



Link to more pics at the site:

http://www.brooklandsmotorcompany.co...f7frameset.htm

[xb-60]

Originally Posted by Fullchat289

Excellent thoughts, Tim.

I am over 6', more legs than torso and have no issues with the drop-center dash.

- Allen.

Thanks Allen. That's what I want to hear
Glen

[1985 CCX]

Keep in mind right hand drive aslo switch's the drop so there is no difference at that point.

How tall, floor mounted pedals are not conducive to real tall. You can get creative with hanging pedals however floor mounted are more restrictive.

Good luck

[jeffy]

Originally Posted by 1985 CCX

Keep in mind right hand drive aslo switch's the drop so there is no difference at that point.

Not if you are "authentic": the drop was the same for both right and left hand drive cars. AC didn't change the outline of the dash, just changed the location of the steering column, glove box, instruments and switches.