Thread: Tall person hot rod

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Okay, I'm a complete newb to the forum and currently just making plans for the future here. Cars have always been something of a passion, (genetic defect, that's my Dad's tudor as an avatar), but haven't had the chance to build one myself.

That being said, I've always had a passion for fenderless coupes and roadsters, but have a big problem, or should I say, tall problem. I'm around six and a half feet tall, with a 36" inseam. Am I even going to be able to fit in one? I figure the limiting factors are A. Firewall recessing based on V-8 power, B. Cockpit length, a custom interior won't be a problem but the actual pedal to back wall distance is ultimately the final factor.

These are part of the reason my dad built the tudor. Well, that and the fact that he managed to score a complete chassis with IFS, Jag IRS and an already chopped, rusty but solid original steel body for substantially less than 5 large. Complete with a brand new TH350 and a tired old 350 mounted in the frame. Someone lost interest in the project...

Back to my questions; Without having one in front of me to check fit on, the roadster and 3 window seem to be pretty close in actual cockpit length. The five window intrigues me because it looks like could lose a package shelf and pick up some leg room. Any thoughts?

I was told that I probably wouldn't have enough room in a 29 roadster,my answer was to stretch it 5 inches by using cut down coupe doors. As I am using all steel for the body,coupe doors make better economic sense too,I can generally pick them up for a third of what people want for roadster doors. Hank

Welcome to the forum. I really feel for you big dudes. Us little 5' 9" guys can squeeze into these chopped and channeled rods, whereas you would never have a chance. I guess you see now why your Pop has the sedan......you can move that seat back into the rear seat area and gain the room you need.

Coupes and roadsters are much shorter, and as halftanked said, some modifications are probably going to be needed to pickup some extra leg room. I like his solution, makes good sense. You will also need to be very conservative on seat padding and back rest padding, a thick seat will take up too much room.

I would start by going to some shows and cruises, and asking guys if you can sit in their car for a second. Some are reluctant, but most will have no problem letting you test it out. One thing, if you go the roadster route, headroom won't be a problem........the sky is the limit.

Don

In addition to what Hank & the "little person" from Fl. said, there are a couple tricks to keep in mind.

If we're talkin' the "square" body cars (e.g. Model A, Fords up to '34 and similar), yes, the coupes have a few more inches than stock roadsters in interior compartment length after the package tray is removed. Even at 6' I either have removed them completely or cut them back by half. You can also use a seat that tucks under the lip of the back panel and won't look bad, that's good for a little more length. A trick I've seen but not done that looks interesting is to modify the forward section of the chassis center section (the front "legs" of the K or X member) so that he upper "legs" are removed and slightly stouter lower legs do the work. This will allow the floor to be dropped a couple/three inches (every little bit helps). This will also help for longer drives as you'll have your thighs more likely resting on the lower cushion for support. Along with long legs usually come bigger feet, which is another problem in these comparatively narrower cowls. An auto trans eliminates one obstruction, and hanging pedals (rather than through the floor) free up a little more. I don't like a big lump of M/C on the firewall so an under dash setup would be better (available Dodge vans and aftermarket). In general, a hiboy style would be better than a channeled car.

Avoid bigger engines that require moving the firewall back. One idea is a Model A on a Deuce frame. The Deuce front crossmember can be moved forward up to 2" (without looking dorky) if the car is fenderless. Gives you more room to avoid moving the firewall. Of course there's always a frame stretch as long as you're carefull about proportions.

If you really want a roadster, one trick on the Model A is to start with a Sport coupe body. Once the wooden upper structure is removed (you'll need to add bracing to the lower body to compensate, but you'd do that in an original roadster anyway) you have what looks like a roadster body but the tub area is the longer length of the coupe so there's a minimum of body work to do to get the look right. A little modification to the door tops for looks, and to the cowl area for the roadster windshield to bolt on, ta dah.

Welcome to CHR! You have come to the right place. If you got a problem we can dispense enough opinions and wisdoms to make your head swim.

At 6'1" (inseam 32") I am by no means as tall as you are. I probably have you by 100 lbs though. But to answer your question about fitting into a streetrod....the answer is yes. Depending on the kind of car you may have to make some modifications like stretching the body, moving the firewall, not doing a deep roof chop, etc.

At my height I have about 3 inches to spare over my head in my 34 Plymouth sedan. Now I know that don't sound like much, but the roof has been chopped 4 inches and the original floor replaced with a flat stainless steel floor that rises from the firewall to rear and the seats are both on risers. So if mine had less of a chop and no seat risers you probably could fit comfortably inside.

Later cars 36 - 48 had more room every place, front to back, side to side and overhead, so one of those years could work out really well for you. Both in a hardtop or a converible. One key is careful planning, from picking a vehicle to modifying it. Go get yourself one and enjoy the fun.

Tudor welcome in . I too at being just 6 ft went with a Tudor for leg room . This is my first car for a street rod build . Chopping the roof at just 2 inches looks good and leaves some head room . I did mine at 3 inches and with lowering the seat pearches i should end up with ample head room . These guys here do have alot of seat time in various rods and know there stuff.

As Don (itold) says car shows and seeing alot of different layouts brings the most perspective for a build. I'm also very lucky to work with a few car guys . But i spend my quality time here for the most experienced builders for right now answers.

A little special attention to seating can gain worlds of room.

Take a look at what I did in mt ratty 48 chevy truck. I built a contoured seat back and bottom and the covered them in foam (2" back, 5" bottom). I sit about 3" lower and my shoulders are maybe 6" back from the stock arrangement. It is SO MUCH more comfortable.

I attached a pic of a stocker for referrence. Note where the back is in relation to the seat frame and door opening and the lines on the door.....and then look at mine.

Last pic is my dad making motor noises.

Thanks for the info guys. Don, great idea on the car show/cruise night concept. There are 2 local places that do cruise nights within 10 miles of my house. I'll have to check them out. I'm also planning on hitting the N.E. Summernationals in Worcester MA next week with camera in hand. I was already planning on checking out interiors for ideas anyway. The tudor has had it's body and mechanical work all done and is a fine running car, but Dad stopped short before doing much in the interior. Got a couple of seats bolted down with safety belts, but no panel work or headliner to speak of.

I'm fortunate in that I'm an engineer working for one of the better known automotive fabric and trim manufacturers, so I have access to seconds and scraps that with a little creativity can be converted into an interesting interior. I'm not bad with wood either. If it can be done with a combination of wood and fabric, I can do it, metal I'm a little new at...

Maybe consider some of the fat fendered cars? Have a friend about your size, drives a '41 Ford coupe. If ya gotta be topless, the '36 Ford is good looking and has lots of room, and a very attractive car when built right. My dad was 6'4", his pride and joy was a '40 Ford droptop....

I'm only 6' 5'' and have a 36" inseam. I'm building a 26 T coupe, not chopped - need the height, using a Buick V6 - don't have to chop firewall either, seat will be tight against back window.
Tom

That was another thought. Going with something like a readily accessible Buick V6 or Chevy 4.3L V6 would be a way to keep a stock length frame and skip the firewall recess. There is enough speed hardware out there to make them perform well enough for anything I'm likely to do with it. Lets face it 250-300 HP is more than enough to push a lightweight street rod down the road at better than legal speeds, and it isn't a cookie cutter small block. There are also a ton of them around in junkyards.

Try a 33-34 dodge or plymouth coupe, I am 6ft 9 and I fit into my 34 dodge hiboy with no problem. It isn't chopped or channeled.
Bob

Originally Posted by 34dodge

Try a 33-34 dodge or plymouth coupe, I am 6ft 9 and I fit into my 34 dodge hiboy with no problem. It isn't chopped or channeled.
Bob

Do you have any pics? There isn't a lot to find on the net. A Dodge or Plymouth coupe might be the right direction. I figure I'm going to be fabbing motor and tranny mounts anyway, why not picka project that is a little bit different and do a little more fabbing?

If you would be so kind, could you also give me some details as to what other things you did? Hub to hub width on rear end, what type of front end etc? I've got some ideas in my head that are a little bit different, just want to see if any work.

Try www.carnut.com and there is pics of about anything you can imagine, including my coupe. But I will see what I can find of pics my car and post them tomorrow.
My coupe has a ford style I beam front end and a 68 roadrunner rear with a built 318 and a 904 trans. I stuck with a mopar drive train because I am a chrysler kinda guy, and mopar lovers can get grumpy if you put anything but mopar in. Also you can get some parts for 33-34 chryslers in fiberglass.
A dodge or plymouth already looks chopped and I took out the package tray and stuck the seats back as far as possible.
My car was an old stock car that I totally rebuilt so if you have questions I will be happy to help, so ask away. Hope this helps
Bob

How about some sort of a two door Phaeton or open tourer? Than you could put the seat back as far as you like and have just a token back seat. Would give a little room to carry "stuff" with you too. And you would have something a little bit different at the local cruise. I know they are out there. Here is a link to one made in AU. just to give you an idea. You could do it with fenders or without. http://www.stockmanfabrications.com....doorTourer.pdf

Here are a couple more ideas: http://www.carnut.com/cgi-bin/04/_im...nox/nat025.jpg

http://www.carnut.com/cgi-bin/04/_im...rch/mar037.jpg

Pat