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Hot Rods Will I fit?

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by midnightrider78, Sep 10, 2017.

  1. I'm 6' 5" 260#, and I'm a tight fit in my '38 Ford pickup. My great-grandfather Turner was 6' 8" and wore size 16 shoes. He was a tight fit in any of the cars of the '30s and earlier--he died in '40 so didn't live to see the cars get any roomier.
     
  2. wicarnut
    Joined: Oct 29, 2009
    Posts: 9,175

    wicarnut
    Member

    I had a 29 HighBoy Roadster w/ chopped windshield, bolt on top, chopped, sat on 4" high density pad for seat bottom on floor and a 32 3 window standard chop, Volvo bucket seats both nice cars (pic's in my album's)and neither one IMO would you be comfortable in as I am 5'10" varies 210/220#. I put 20,000 miles on both cars, now @69 would not want either car again and used to let guys sit in it to see how they fit if asked. Again IMO it depends how much, how far and your age/health do you want to cruise. Nobody has mentioned the huge blind spots that go w/ 32/34 chopped coupes, suggest you talk w/ guys at show's,ask to sit in car if possible, love 32/34's but that ship has sailed for me. Do have buddy that's a big man that drives a 32 roadster everywhere, but his car has alot of mods to accommodate his height and weight,well thought out and executed. I compare Hot Rods w/ motorcycles, Chopper's Kool!, If want to ride any distance, you have a Dresser.( Owned cycle's for 38 years) Just some thoughts from someone that's been there and done that. Good Luck with your decisions and ENJOY the Hobby.
     
  3. B.A.KING
    Joined: Apr 6, 2005
    Posts: 4,039

    B.A.KING
    Member

    Just use a little common sense.Seat down and low as you can stand it. If you use buckets make sure they don't have seat bolsters, (Sides that are made to hold you in if you are road racing ). As thin of a back that you can stand. And i know a lot won't like this but a tilt wheel/removable wheel will work wonders.Go for it!!!
     
  4. stanlow69
    Joined: Feb 21, 2010
    Posts: 7,346

    stanlow69
    Member Emeritus

    Talk to an upholsterer after getting the car the way you want it. He should be able to build you a seat so you can fit in your car. Most seats don`t fit the cars that they are in. Usually they are positioned wrong. Told a guy with a sectioned shoebox to raise the front of his seat up an inch or two. Helped greatly on his back. The car had been done for ten years. I widened a seat 2 inches in a 53 Chevy pickup and looked lots better. I did a chopped and channeled model a for a guy. Added foam to the front part of his legs and had an inch of foam under his but that was sitting on the floor. No seat. He could drive it that way. It was comfortable. Put some miles on the car with your seats in your car before recovering them. You will know if the positioning will work or not.
     
  5. ratrodjay
    Joined: Aug 28, 2007
    Posts: 104

    ratrodjay
    Member
    from Corona, CA

    You will fit, don't channel it! I'm 6'-2" and 180 lbs. A 32 is to small. 33/34's have more interior room. I have a 34 ford pickup, chopped 2.5"...non channeled and I fit. Barrely...but fit comfortably.

    Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using H.A.M.B. mobile app
     
  6. What he said....
     
  7. midnightrider78
    Joined: Oct 24, 2006
    Posts: 1,315

    midnightrider78
    Member

    Hopefully I will get to talk with my upholstery guy in the next few days and see what suggestions he may have. He has been doing hot rod interiors for longer than I have been alive.

    BTW love your picture. My great grandparents lived in Audubon so my sister and I saw Albert The Bull a lot as kids.
     
  8. The suicide doors make getting in and out a little easier.
    I am sure that it is an optical allusion or something but I have always thought that the inside of a 5 window was bigger than the 3 window. I have not thrown a tape on one though.

    When you are building a car chopping and or channeling have to be done to fit the driver. Sometimes on '30s Fords if you are really big you have to build a uni-body out of it and put your floor on the bottom of the chassis. That said being a little guy I have always paid attention to the big guys and have known or seen many a big man in a chopped model 40.
     
  9. So-cal Tex
    Joined: Aug 24, 2005
    Posts: 1,393

    So-cal Tex
    Member

    To answer your question YES you will fit fine especially if you remove the package tray behind the seat. My buddy has '34 5 window coupe all stock that I have driven and with out the package tray it would be comfortable for me at 6 5" 300 lbs. By the way I sold my model A roadster last month because as cool as it was I am just too damn big to drive it comfortably. I have a '32 3W which is a little smaller than a 33-34 and its mildly chopped and channeled, I fit fine......
     
    Runnin shine likes this.
  10. nunattax
    Joined: Jan 10, 2011
    Posts: 3,215

    nunattax
    Member

    use your brain.do a 2inch chop or better still don't chop it at all..chopped cars are for the little people
     
  11. My '59 Ford needs the seat moved back a little, the clutch pedal has been moved but I need more. My knee scrapes against the door when I shift.
     
  12. midnightrider78
    Joined: Oct 24, 2006
    Posts: 1,315

    midnightrider78
    Member

    I like what I like. When it comes to spending this kind of money, I have a very specific idea of how it has to be built. If I'm only going to build it "sort of" like I want, I'll just go back to the 'cheap' stuff.
     
    Hombre and porknbeaner like this.
  13. stanlow69
    Joined: Feb 21, 2010
    Posts: 7,346

    stanlow69
    Member Emeritus

    People on the HAMB think I`m from Red Oak Texas. I graduated from the Upholstery program at DMACC in Ankeny.
     
    midnightrider78 likes this.
  14. southcross2631
    Joined: Jan 20, 2013
    Posts: 4,412

    southcross2631
    Member

    Build it for you and you will fit . Screw the next guy if you ever sell it . Let him make it fit him.
    I was in the army in Germany and my buddy had a Honda 600 car. Another guy in our unit who was almost 6ft 10 could ride in the back seat. It was so funny to see him get in and out of that little car. When he got out the car didn't even come to his waist.
     
  15. tfeverfred
    Joined: Nov 11, 2006
    Posts: 15,788

    tfeverfred
    Member Emeritus

    Then, chop away, man!
     
  16. Like Southcross said. Build it for you. That's what I did. Lots of measuring. Cutting. Trial and error. Ended up with a 4" chop. I look like a circus act getting in and out. But comfortable once seated and nice to drive.
    I'm 6'5" - 290lbs
    20160728_193327.jpg
     
  17. Mo rust
    Joined: Mar 11, 2012
    Posts: 873

    Mo rust
    Member

    I just measured a 33 three window and a 34 five window and the distance between the top of the deck lid to the edge of the roof on a three window is 4 1/2 inches and a five window is 2 inches so the five window has about 2 2/2 inches more head room. Both cars have all kinds of room inside if set up right.
     
  18. Well you have seen me, I am a little fuck and could probably drive a tuna can. LOL

    The 5 windows just always seem more roomy to me, guess I was right. ;)
     
    clunker likes this.

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