Hot Rods How tall is too tall for a ‘32-‘34 Ford Roadster?

32-34 roadsters are like a school bus compared to a T roadster so I don't know if it'd be necessary, but I made a little dropped floor pan box in my T, basically my heels drop down between the frame rails a bit just behind the pedals and it makes a big difference. It allows the seat to be low in the car without having to accordion your legs up as much.

 

It’s surprising how every fraction of an inch, in every direction helps with driver comfort!

 

Even though its not a 32 roadster, I was always amazed at the stance of Blackies T-bucket, there could not have been much room in that amazing ride!

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Hello,

For some, it is the seats as some bucket seats allow moving them back as far as the back wall will allow. But, with the stock pedals are used, there is still some harsh bending of the knees to push either one or all. Sure, some bend of the knees is normal, but not if the knees are sticking up close to the wheel while driving or scooting back in the seat with a scrunching form in the seat.

Bench seats are not the answer and modifications to the pedals helps. But, overall, it is the seat back that makes more room for taller guys/girls. When my friend with a 34 5 window coupe had his hot rod running, it was fun to sit in the bench seat. He was almost 6 feet and the seat was set just fine. I was not 6 feet at the time and I had plenty of room.

But, my friend in high school was 6 feet 3.5 inches and he had to move his seat all the way back to be comfortable driving his 57 Chevy Bel Air Hardtop Sedan. When we exchanged cars, he moved my seat back and I had to move his forward a few notches. A stick shift makes things more important for the foot/knee position.

When I became 6 feet and a half, the interior of the 34 coupe was tight, in the seat and as a p***enger. Knees up is not the most friendly of positions in any car.

Jnaki

Comfort in driving has always been our motto. A chopped top makes everything tighter and feels like a block of cement is pressing on your head. The surrounding view in front or sides is now blocked or hindered. So, if one is taller than 6 feet, a forward position is always handy. If a tall person is in the back of a roadster with the top up and chopped, the view is definitely blocked.

My brother and I had a Model A Coupe and with the stock seats, felt too cramped with both of us sitting inside. Our idea was two foreign car bucket seats that were fully adjustable and movable. But, the side to side sitting area in any old car from Model A To 33-34 Coupe/Roadsters all make comfortable seating difficult without some comfortable bucket seats. Aircraft bare minimum seats don’t do justice for comfortable driving anytime or especially long distances.

Note:

Sample of a stock Model A RPU versus a slightly extended Model A RPU.
Extend the cab, shorten the bed.
Even with small bucket seats, two normal size teens had a difficult time in a Model A RPU. So, we wanted an extended cab that did not look odd. It only takes a slight rearward addition to make the angle of the pedals vs. the seats ok.


Our close friend with the 34 Ford 5 window coupe had a stock upholstered bench seat. It was comfortable for short drives around the cruising area and to school. But although stock body and seats, would not be my choice to drive 400 miles on a long road trip.

So, it is definitely a YRMV situation for the 33-34 roadsters. If I were 6 feet 4, I would not get a limited space roadster. At least, a sedan would allow movement back for a comfortable knees down, arms in the good 10-2 o clock position. It is up to you and your driving likes and dislikes. There are plenty…

As for a 32, well just about all RPU seem a little tight and there is no answer unless one extends the door or seat back area cab. No one will notice the slight change and by the way, who cares, it is your choice and comfort on long road trips. If it is that important what others think, the RPU is only a weekend garage queen, then leave it stock, suffer the cramp style and just drive. ha!

Note 2:

There is even a nicely finished, red Model A RPU, extended, here on the HAMB built for more room in the cab… check it out...YRMV
https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/28-rpu-build-thread-it-will-be-red.703537/

@Never2old

 

This has been a topic many times!
It all depends on how bad you want it!
Here's a picture from another thread.

 

Most of the replies have been related to a '32. I originally wanted a '32, but at 6' 3" and 220lbs, the few that I sat in felt cramped and that didn't even include driving them, so I got a '33 roadster. The '33/'34's have more room in the cabin than the '32. The comments on the seat placement and padding are right on the mark. It also makes a difference as to where your height is. Most of my height is in my back, not my legs, so I also need to be careful of the seat height, padding, etc. My car has a 2" chopped windshield, which added to the challenge of doing a top that I could live with. If you are building a car, you can design it so that you can solve all of the fit problems with careful placement of the pedals, steering column/wheel, seat placement (up/down & front/back) and seat foam (density as well as thickness). The angle of the back of the seat also has a lot to do with how comfortable it is for an extended drive. The short answer to your question is, yes, you can fit with some good planning during the build process. Here's the car with myself and my 6' 3 1/2" son inside.

 

Squeak Bell always talked about putting a foot well in the floor and lowering the pedals. But I have never seen it done.

 

To tall for a roadster? Try driving a 32 pickup if you want lack of room. Not complaining, wouldn't have it any other way. I love my deuce roadster but I drive the pickup a lot more. Gotta be a contortionist in the truck.