Bob from Northport
Well-known member
Can anyone advise how much leg room there is for the driver for a guy about 6' tall. ?? Is it a tight fit???
Thanks!!
Thanks!!
57 Thunderbird question
- Thread starter Bob from Northport
- Start date
russonator
Senior Member
Will be adequate but expect to drive bow-legged with the OEM oversized steering wheel. A smaller diameter repro is available to alleviate this inconvenience.
https://www.classictbird.com/Steering-Wheel-Small-Od-56_57-15-1-Per-car/productinfo/3600SM/
https://www.classictbird.com/Steering-Wheel-Small-Od-56_57-15-1-Per-car/productinfo/3600SM/
dmsfrr
Well-known member
Leg room? not enough.
Tight fit? Yes, especially with a top on the car, unless you're good at folding yourself. Crawling in head first works for me.
As russonator mentioned you may have to drive it with one leg on either side of the steering wheel.
I have to drive my power seat / automatic '55 with my left foot for the brake pedal.
I've also got a manual seat manual transmission '57 that doesn't seem as bad. Maybe the seat slides slightly farther back than the powered version???
In both cars the steering wheel is much closer to my chest than I'd prefer but you can get used to it.
All three years have a telescoping steering column. It moves two or maybe 3 inches, that can help a bit. Too far forward will hit your knees more, so it's a compromise. The smaller reproduction steering wheels are fairly popular, but pricier than you might expect.
Inspect it with a knowledgeable friend. Two heads really are better than one. These cars are very susceptible to rust-thru in the lower portions of the body, left/drivers side floor & frame. And after all these years the engine may have been swapped for something less desirable. You may want to be familiar with the block ID numbers at this link, or take a copy with you...
http://ford-y-block.com/Block%20identification.htm
Drive and look underneath it thoroughly before committing any money. Many of the descriptions used with classic cars for sale aren't even close to being the truth. No real surprise there...
.
Last edited:
55blacktie
BANNED
I am the owner of a 55 Tbird that has been in my family for 50+ years. The passenger compartment for 55-57 is the same, with the exception of the dash change in 57. Yes, apparently the manual seat (not available in 55) offers a bit more room. Removing the swing bar of the soft top (if so equipped) will allow the seat to go back a bit farther. It's possible to relocate the seat farther back, but there won't be adequate space for the soft top. You could also consider replacing the original seat with buckets.
There have been a number of complaints regarding a problem with the smaller aftermarket 56-57 steering wheel splines not matching up with the splines on the steering shaft.
The 55-57 Tbirds weren't designed with large people in mind. Fortunately, I'm 5' 8" and weigh about 150. If you ever have to work under the dash, particularly with the seat, steering column, and soft top in place, you'll come to respect how small they are. Before removing said items, it was necessary for me to lie with my back on the floor. with my legs draped over the seat back.
Rust? I haven't found it to be a problem on my 55, but my car was originally sold in the Los Angeles District, and it has never left California. Since it's been in my family, it has spent most of its life inside the garage, and it's not driven in the rain. I would, however, check for rust, bondo, and signs of collision damage for any vehicle that is more than a half century old.
There have been a number of complaints regarding a problem with the smaller aftermarket 56-57 steering wheel splines not matching up with the splines on the steering shaft.
The 55-57 Tbirds weren't designed with large people in mind. Fortunately, I'm 5' 8" and weigh about 150. If you ever have to work under the dash, particularly with the seat, steering column, and soft top in place, you'll come to respect how small they are. Before removing said items, it was necessary for me to lie with my back on the floor. with my legs draped over the seat back.
Rust? I haven't found it to be a problem on my 55, but my car was originally sold in the Los Angeles District, and it has never left California. Since it's been in my family, it has spent most of its life inside the garage, and it's not driven in the rain. I would, however, check for rust, bondo, and signs of collision damage for any vehicle that is more than a half century old.