Leg room question

[Flat32]

I'm at an age where pee stops are frequent and require quick egress. Getting out is ridiculous with the seat riser where it is. I'm going to move the riser and the bottom seat back support reward at least 2", up to 3" and will probably settle on 2 1/2".

I have a daily driver '32 3 window coupe and the wide suicide doors make it a dream in comparison. I had a 2" chopped '32 five window street rod with narrow doors and sold it because of the narrow door pita. I have a stock '32 five window that I never drive mainly because of the door thing.

The Model A is just so beautiful looking that I have to drive it and will do whatever it takes.

Ray

 

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

Cool Hand & Ray,
Loved your "how to mount your horse." I wear full leg braces and here's my way when I had the '30 coupe: Left foot on the ground against running board, left hand on "A" post, right hand flings right leg up, slide it in 'til foot's touchin' throttle thingy, pull up by steering wheel 'til I can drag left foot up on the running board, and from there on, it was easy! Gettin' down was EASY, PLUNK!
My Avatar '29 Coupe, "VERMIN," is lower with the 16" wheels, and with my new swivel bar stool seats, I can just back my butt in, swivel around, and it's done! Also, If I feel a good f*rt coming, I can spin around & let Gregg HAVE IT!
Gregg says I'm a terrible, 76 year old, opionated man, but he likes my dog. GEEZ! I thought I was nice. Bill W.

 

[lschultz]

Also, If I feel a good f*rt coming, I can spin around & let Gregg HAVE IT!

Ah I founds somebody dat likes to fart I could tell you some fart stories cause I do farts a lot cause I like it and I have passed something else to before could thing I had undewar on that time cause it caught it.

I remember back when I use to get it and after I did me thing and I pulled da big boy out of moma I swung me leg over her when I was getting ready to dismount and cuts a hell of a fart and at that instantenous moment I heard what sounded like a shotgun going off but no it was mama's hand on me buttock and at that instant I felt a hell of a sting on me buttock for she had slaped da s*** outs of me. She did not find any amusment in what I had just done. O well life goes on and 39 yrs have passed and we is still a married.

 

[russonator]

Murphy,
On my '30 coupe, I cut 4" from the package tray, drilled out seat riser rivets and moved the WHOLE seat assembly back a full 4," WONDERFUL! and it looked like a factory job.
Can't do it on my '29 coupe without butchering it!
Took out stock cushions, cut 3/4" plywood panels for back & bottom, covered them with carpet, put piano hinge on front of bottom panel for tool acccess under seat. Mounting 2 curved back bar stool seats, with swivels I found at Bass- Pro Shop!
Go'nna look RACY! No alterations to the car at all,and it can be changed back to stock in 10 minutes. Keep watching, as I will be posting pictures.--Bill W.

Hi Bill,
I realize this is an old post, but I am just facing this issue now in my effort to find a Model A I can fit in. Can you tell me why the '30 coupe allows this modification, but the '29 coupe does not?
Many thanks,
Russ

 

[California Travieso]

Hi Bill,
I realize this is an old post, but I am just facing this issue now in my effort to find a Model A I can fit in. Can you tell me why the '30 coupe allows this modification, but the '29 coupe does not?
Many thanks,
Russ

Russ,

Bill was a frequent poster and a great resource on the Barn for many years. Unfortunately, Bill passed away some time ago.

I have a 29 Roadster and a 30 Roadster, and the 30 Roadster has more space than the 29. I believe all the 30 - 31 model have more space than the 28 - 29 models.

Maybe someone else can answer your question regarding the difference between the Coupes.

David Serrano

 

[Superhart]

The 30-31 coupes may have more leg room than the 28-29 but it is still very tight even for me at 5' 9" tall. In addition, I hated the bouncy ride of the original bench seat. It felt like I was sitting on an old living room couch. I finally decided to remove the bench seat and install a pair of Jeep bucket seats (I know, blasphemy). Gained 2.5" of leg room. I would still like more but not willing to start cutting up a package shelf, etc. to get it.

 

[CHuDWah]

Hi Bill,
I realize this is an old post, but I am just facing this issue now in my effort to find a Model A I can fit in. Can you tell me why the '30 coupe allows this modification, but the '29 coupe does not?
Many thanks,
Russ

There is a a service bulletin that explains how to shorten the package tray, but I think it only gains about 2" and dunno if it applies to all years. Anyway, 30-31 coupes have seat adjusters - dunno when they first became available but I had an April, 1930 Sport Coupe that had one. I'm 6' with average proportions and there was plenty of legroom with the seat all the way back. Entry/exit was a little tight because of the door width but full rearward seat adjustment also helped that.

 

[Kenjt]

My second A was a 31 Phaeton. I had no problem getting in even with the top up and no problem driving as far as leg room was concerned. I just got a 31 roadster and it feels like a completely different car. No way I could get in with the top up and the leg room is really tight. I don't want to pull out the back of the seat and try to reduce the thickness. I'm wondering if there is some way to extend the steering wheel. I'm the same 6' 2" (or maybe a little shorter) and I weigh several pounds less.