I have a 31 Model A and have to have some more leg room. Ther are pros and cons to all decision that we take so what would the cons to cutting out the package shelf that will allow me to move sitting back 3”?
I think the top of the body would get floppy without reinforcement. I know others here have removed the shelf without BIG issues, but they added reinforcement. Don't remember HOW, though. Good luck!
I replaced the package tray with a roll bar to maintain the lateral rigidity. It has 8 fastening points to the body and subframe. At the same time it was perfect for the upper mounting of the 3 point safety belts. The car is channeled the width of the frame, I use a narrowed 3rd row (not 2nd row) Chrysler mini van seat that has 5" of fore and aft adjustment. My 6'4" tall buddy is quite comfortable in it. The car is not chopped. When seated I look dead center through the windshield and my legs are in a comfortable position. I am 5'10" tall. I did build a divot in the floor for my right heel, for an easy pivot from throttle to brake without raising your leg and use a dead pedal for easy transition to the clutch pedal. I am of the opinion that your best bet is to accumulate all helpful information and make it all fit you. There is enough room to be comfortable with a well thought out plan. Good luck!
had a '31 Coupe with unknown sourced bench seat many years ago. not sure but, believe back of seat was modified to fit past front edge of package tray. I did have bottom reupholstered with extra padding along the front edge. This helps give more support to back of legs which in turn gives more leg length room.
I was going to check the salvage yard but just decided to pick this up brand new for $300. If it doesn’t give me more leg room I’ll turn it into a rolling bench seat for the garage.
I removed mine out of the banger coupe with no issues structurally. I'm 6'-3" and I had to stretch to hit the starter once I was done! It was NICE!!!!!
I think I'd look at altering the seat-bottom angle & height, & maybe the seat back, which doesn't need to be vertical. Seat bottom placement(s) seem to be the most important for comfort of legs, back & sight. Problem w/the oem size n placement, is folks were both skinnier & shorter back then. A lot shorter... If you have to remove the pkg tray, you could use thick strapping bent along the body to help, or even 1/2"x1" or 1/2"x2" rectangular tubing bent into a hoop shape attached alongside the lower turret area. Marcus...
I've got a 28 sport coupe and I didn't put a package tray in it when I put it back together. I can't say if removal of the tray made things "floppy" because I never saw the car with a package tray. My seat will go back that extra amount. I'm a bit over 6 foot and I have plenty of leg room. In fact, I don't drive with the seat all the way back. I have it forward on the adjuster a click or two.
I'd suggest cutting the tray to allow seat to move to desired position. Then go back and reinforce the front edge of what's left of the tray, the way Henry should have done it.
My avatar had the package tray removed and never had a problem, I didn't see any difference between it and my stock 29 coupe. The trunk lid still lined up and nothing on the body shifted. I would have removed the package tray on my 30 Sport Coupe but would have created a huge blind spot, on my avatar I looked thru the quarter window to check side traffic and that's a solid canvas panel on the Sport Coupe.
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