How's the fit?

R

RobK

Junior Member
Hello everyone,

I don't have an A yet, won't for some time, but am enjoying this site as a learning source.
I'm curious about how well you fit behind the wheel of your cars.
I'm exactly six feet tall, with a 34" inseam and reasonably fit. I have my heart set on a '30-'31 coupe. Will that be a comfortable fit?
 
I have a '29 roadster which I (6 ft, 225 lbs) do not sit well in it. My '31 roadster I sit very well in. The '29 is restored with a super nice seat. The '31 roadster (unrestored) seat is about worn out which I'm going to leave alone and not restore. The 30-31 cars do have about 1" or more leg room in them I beleive. Do some research on the site there are a fair amount of threads on the subject. Some people tie springs down on the bottom cushions for more room and I've read about modifing
the package tray in coupes to get more room.

Bob-A
 
I am over six foot and I have a 30 Coupe that is very comfortable for me. Go for it !!!

When I built a Model A Woody Huckster years ago I copied the dimensions of this Coupe's interior to better fit my large frame. My Huckster is sort of a cab and a half compared to the other Hucksters I have seen built from plans.
 
I have a '30 Town Sedan. I am 6'2" and 195#. Getting in and out is not easy. Once in, it is okay, but you will never mistake it for a modern car.
 
RobK said:
Hello everyone,

I don't have an A yet, won't for some time, but am enjoying this site as a learning source.
I'm curious about how well you fit behind the wheel of your cars.
I'm exactly six feet tall, with a 34" inseam and reasonably fit. I have my heart set on a '30-'31 coupe. Will that be a comfortable fit?
Click to expand...

Rob,

You'll certainly "fit"... don't know what your expectations of comfort are, how long your trips will be...

I have a '28 Special Coupe, I am 6ft 2in, 230 lbs, with a 34 in inside-leg, and a size 13-A shoe.

I fit well-enough in my '28, although I wouldn't mind a little more room between my back and the toe-board.

My biggest challenge is getting in & out of the car... I have to enter head-first - if I try to go in butt-first and swing my legs in after, my feet jam between the seat-riser and the door pillar. :o

The '30-'31 Coupe & Tudor are supposed to have wider doors and a bit more room between the toe-board and back-rest.

Can you find a '30-'31 Coupe locally that you can "try-on for size" ?

SC Frank
 
Frank,

Other than the fact that I'm two inches shorter than you,
We're built the same. Size thirteens too. From your responses,
I'm not concerned. It's just the last time I had a close look at a parked model A,
It looked pretty tight in there.
As far as trying one on, I'm so far from buying one, I don't what to bother anyone trying to sell. Eventually I'll go sit in on a local club meeting. I imagine someone there would let me check out their car.
Thanks for the info,
Rob
 
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Some models have adjustable front seats and some have stationary seats. Look for a model with an adjustable front seat, it makes a big difference.

When I have some one who is not familiar with Model A Fords get into my car, I tell them that I have found it is easier to put your right foot in toe first and then the left foot in toe first. And when exiting the car left foot heel out first, then right foot heel first.
 
RobK said:
Frank,

Other than the fact that I'm two inches shorter than you,
We're built the same. Size thirteens too. From your responses,
I'm not concerned. It's just the last time I had a close look at a parked model A,
It looked pretty tight in there.
As far as trying one on, I'm so far from buying one, I don't what to bother anyone trying to sell. Eventually I'll go sit in on a local club meeting. I imagine someone there would let me check out their car.
Thanks for the info,
Rob
Click to expand...


Oh, the coupes are cozy alright...

Definitely room for only two adults up front, and you will be sitting shoulder-to-shoulder... ;)

Even if you chat-up an A-owner at a show, you can probably get a fitting session, especially if the car is not a high "points" car...

I wouldn't necessarily wait until you are ready to plunk the money down... you could spend years pining-away for "something you can't wear"...

If I had my purchase to do over again, I would probably go for a Tudor, Fordor / Town Sedan or a Touring Car, mainly so that I could take friends along... I would probably stick with a '28-'29.

That said, I'm sticking with my little black coupe for now...

:cool:
 
Because of long leg braces, I cut 4'' from the package tray & moved the whole seat assy. back 4" on my '30 coupe, worked well!
Couldn't do it on my '29 coupe without butchering the car!
Mad plywood panels to replace stock cushions & installed curved back barstool seats with swivel mounts. Will try to attach pics. Gregg is 6' 6 1/2" and can drive it well, gained some headroom also can be changed back to stock in 10 minutes, if you p** first. Found the swivel mounts at Bass-Pro Shop. I'm quite sure these could be used in a pickup also, without altering the truck. Bill W.
 

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Look up a local club at mafca.com or modelaford.org. Attend a meeting. There will be cars at the meeting and people anxious to show off thier cars by letting you sit in them.

Charlie Stephens
 
31 Coupe, 6'4" 220 lbs, getting in out is "fun" but once in it's fine. Suggest you go to the local club and try one on for size. I too love the coupes !
 
I am 6' 6" and 195.
I can not drive a 28-39 roadster pickup. Almost got stuck in one :)

For the coupe and the straight window sedans I have move foot funny to get from the gas to the brake.

Slant window cars were set up to give a bit more room. Notice I have a slant window cabriolet. Should be a bit more head room.

Next time you see the AA truck picture with 3 guys in it wonder how tight that must have been. You must be friendly with the guy in the middle to do the shifting.
 
Kevin in NJ said:
Next time you see the AA truck picture with 3 guys in it wonder how tight that must have been. You must be friendly with the guy in the middle to do the shifting.
Click to expand...

How about this - "O Brother Where art thou? " - John Goodman squeezing into the Model A sedan after knocking-out George Clooney and Tim Blake Nelson... that's a lot of beef to squeeze into that old Flivver...
 
Im 6'2" & skinny &have no problem getting in or out of my 30 coupe or my S/W sedan & they are comfortable on trips.
 
columbiA said:
Im 6'2" & skinny &have no problem getting in or out of my 30 coupe or my S/W sedan & they are comfortable on trips.
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columbiA,
Don't go to the Blood Bank or they'll introduce you to "TWINKIES!":eek: I almost got a DUI leaving the Blood Bank after 8 Twinkies & 2 hot chocolates!:D bILL w.
 
BILL WILLIAMSON said:
columbiA,
Don't go to the Blood Bank or they'll introduce you to "TWINKIES!":eek: I almost got a DUI leaving the Blood Bank after 8 Twinkies & 2 hot chocolates!:D bILL w.
Click to expand...

LOL! That will boost the blood sugar! Leave a pint behind and intake a weeks worth o' Sugar! You musta' been speedin' all be way!
 
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