Building a comfortable hot rod for tall people

Next year I'm going to start my 1st hot rod buildup and in the meantime I have been collecting parts for it. My dad has two bodies; a 30 ford model a 5-window coupe and a 33-34 ford 5-window coupe.

I'm still up in the air as to which one I'm going to build but in the last month, my brother has aligned (he's an alignment tech) two different '32 ford coupes and he told me they were very uncomfortable to drive. He is 6'4" and I am 6' 3". He told me that both cars had a tilt column and with the wheel all the way up, his knee would touch the steering wheel.

I would really like to build the model A but it looks like the 33-34 has more interior room. Whichever car I build will probably have the top chopped and maybe channeled.

So what are some tips and tricks to building a rod for us tall people that will be comfortable to drive?

 

Dont chop em

 

don't channel them

 

If I was ever going to build an A, it would have to be a sedan. I'm 6'4" and I'd have to be able to sit back enough that I can stretch my legs out to ever drive the car on long trips, and I wouldn't build a car I couldn't take on long trips. My knee would start killing me in anything I couldn't stretch my leg out in.

 

remove the package tray in the 34 coupe body and move the seat back. i built a `33 3-window for a guy 6' 4" that way and he is very comfortable. i'm 6 foot even and had to move the glide seat forward to drive it

 

Don't build a ford. Pick a larger luxury brand like a buick or chrysler and shorten the body to hotrod proportions. Because of the extra width you can sneak some length in tub without looking out of whack, same with roof height.

 

Trade for a sedan.

 

Restore em!

 

For maintaining room for a tall person you don't want to chop OR channel any Ford before 1935 and you just f**k them up if you do it to a post '35. If low is your thing work with the suspension and stance but don't compromise an already small interior. If you've got to brag about modifying the car tell everyone you chopped it 1/8" and channeled if a 1/4".
That should keep them busy with a tape measure (or a micrometer) for awhile.

Frank

 

Three problems for us tall folk: Head room,leg room,elbow room.
Henry must have been a short ass.

Short of pushing the fire wall forward,you are kinda stuck.



There is enough room in the front of the Super Bell Coupe,to push
the V6 forward several inches,to get more leg room.A milder chop
would help on the head room,laying the windshield back helps vision.
Design the frame so your ass sits down between the rails.

 

Heavy chop, heavy channel, sit on the roof.

 

I'd suggest going to a bunch of used car lots and sitting in a bunch of cars. Measure the ones that work. How much from butt to roof, butt to pedals, butt to floor, shoulder to wheel, etc. If you are building a box, figure out how much room you need...

 

These guys are right, no chop, no channel, remove the package tray, and sit very close to the floor. Also, don't sacrifice suspension travel for "the look", or your head will hit the roof every time there is a bump. But you're only 6'3", I think you'll be fine in either car. Tall guys driving a sedan from the back seat look kinda stupid. (like me)

 

Stretch the cab and the door. Easy on the chop.

 

Dont chop, channel or recess the fire wall and you have half a chance.
Stick with a coupe and remove the parcel tray or else use a tudor.
They traditionally seem to be the best solutions for tall guys.
I am 6 foot tall with a 29 tudor and it is ok but I should have left the fire wall alone and it would have been perfect. I kept the rear seat space which was needed for family.

Basically with the tudor you can go as far back as you need and if there is still space left well you can take passengers in the rear.

Going back too much can also cause you a vertical sight problem for tall guys to keep that in mind and also go easy on the rake.
The further your head is from the windshield the smaller the view angle out.
Similarly if you have this problem and have a big rake the windshield tilts from vertical to on a slope and again deminishes your height to see thru and what part you can see is all down and no up, it is surprising how much the up area helps at traffic lights and viewing ahead especially when driving down hill it can be hard to see very far ahead, not good on the highway or where there is a lot traffic around.

As for elbow room the further into the 30"s you get seem the interiors get a touch wider.

Good luck.

 

Thanks for all the help guys, I think I will build the 33-34 coupe. More interior room and the body is in much better condition. Plus I think it will look ok with an unchopped top. I don't care for fenderless model a coupes with unchopped tops.

Here's the 33 body:

 

I have a 34 Olds coupe. It has a ton of room inside with a 4 inch chop and 3 inch channel. I'm 6' tall and will have to push the seat foward. BTW I wish I had your problem which to pick an A or a 34.

Mat

 

I am 6'3" and I had a 28 Oakland coupe, lotsa room. The doors are 3' long. It was channeled and had a custom chopped roof, other than takin a little too much off the top it was fine. My knees were barely bent.

 

Tall? Try being 6'8" ! Every time people see me driving anything, it looks like something Roth has drawn!

 

Well...room or no room the 33 is the cooler car. Just my opinion.

Just about any car can be built for a tall guy. I'm 6 foot and had to move the seat forward 2 notches to be comfortable in my model A sport coupe. Legs are stretched out. Car is chopped and still plenty of headroom.

Now I don't think you could channel a Model A and still be comfortable.

It just takes careful planning. mock it up!!! Sit in it! Make funny noises if you have to. The mock ups help you figure seat placement, steering and pedals.

999 is a fairly small car. 4T64dr is a big guy...6'3 or taller. He was suprised he fit. The floor is sunk down in the frame on that car.
Clark

 

Hey Shorty - I'm 6'10" and would KILL to be in a Model A coupe. Considering some of the cars I drive every day, I'm pretty damned sure I could make myself fit. Sure, it might not be chopped or channeled, but with one of those little chain steering wheels, I would suffer gladly.
This Friday I'm going to pick up a 28 or 29 Essex coupe. Those are a little bigger than a Model A in all dimensions, and while not as cool in my mind as a Model A, I got a few ideas that will make it all the better a ride for a big bastard like me.

Good luck, and if you need to get rid of that pesky Model A coupe body, let me know.

 

It looks like you've already made up your mind, but for what it's worth I'm 6'3" and I've also got an 'A' Tudor Sedan and fit comfortably. The guy who built it is 6'5" and mounted the seat further back for legroom.

 

just sell them to me.. im shorter than you.. lol jk

where are you from in Il? im right on the border

 

Heres an idea...build a roadster

 

I live right by O'Hare intl. airport

 

not being so much tall as Wide I had to address this problem myself. Being oddly shapen is kind of shitty, but I probably shouldnt have put a stick in my truck either. WE ARE NON CONFORMISTS.

 

At 6'5 I'm following VNCduke advice, with a 28 roadster pickup. Removed the seat and did a simple plywood cushion set up to put me lower inside.

 

I want to build a "no Fender" car later on. I've been researching also. People back then must have been really short. I found a 34 Plymouth, 4 dr and was kinda thinking if I could make it a 2 dr with a small chop and have everything to look correct. This thing has good lines and a beautiful grille. Good luck, I think you made the right choice.

 

What is it with these old threads coming up ? Do you guys even look at when what you are responding to was posted ?

 

who cares about the date ,there is still good info ....