Just bought a CSX. I am 5'6, and need longer legs, to fit the car.

[Csx6069]

I just bought CSX 6069. Always, wanted a Cobra. The problem is, I am 5'6" short. And, could use longer legs, to feel comfortable in the car. Thought about modifying, the seat, to move closer. Or, just getting, a back support cushion to make me a little closer to the pedals. Anyone, else had this issue? No, short jokes from you tall guys! I've heard them all! Lol

[Snake2998]

If steering wheel location is right for you look at moving the peddle box if possible.

[CompClassics]

My good friend Richard Messersmith racing CSX3018, Richard was the original owner. Richard was a height challenged individual also, his mom gave him a pillow to help him reach the pedals....note the pillow on the driver's seat! If you notice the driver's seat has been moved forward as far as it could be.
From a historical point of view regarding this photo as Richard relayed to me...Richard was sitting in the car while it was being refueled and the kid handling the refueling ended up spilling fuel all over the car and Richard, Richard jumped out of the car to accost the kid when the people around him grabbed him before he got to far.

RIP Richard, you and your stories are missed.

[Riverside racer]

I have two types of Clevis extensions for both clutch and brake . One which will put the pedal 20mm Closer and the other which does 40mm. First check if you have enough free space on the floor to allow this mod and then also if the throttle pedal will not be too deep to allow easy foot movement .
Ross

[Al G]

Have you adjusted the seat all the way forward? There is quite a bit of built in adjustability.

[moore_rb]

I'm 5-8 and had a similar issue when I first got my car- Getting my legs correct with the pedals would put me too close to the steering wheel...

What I did was make a wood spacer for my seat (fits between the adjuster tracks and the floor) which raises the front of the seat about 2" higher than the rear; so that as the seat slides forward on the adjusters, the seat bottom also tilts higher. This allows my legs to fully depress the peddles, while my shoulders remain a comfortable distance from the steering wheel. It also positions my knees higher than my butt, which is a more comfortable driving position for me than sitting with my legs flat to the floor, anyway...

[Bartruff1]

I had the same problem....the obvious solution was to have the seat moved forward 6" and raised 3"....any competent body shop can fit the seat exactly where you want it for probably less than 100 bucks...

Pillows don't work and it made no sense to me to screw with the pedals.. especially the throttle.

[rodneym]

CSX6069,

My wife is 5'4" and she needed to be a bit closer to the pedals in our (her ) CSX.
I removed the seat and was surprised that it couldn't be mounted forward without some decent modification. The only silver lining is that there were two sets of mounting holes that were about 1/2" apart. I was able to remount with those holes and gained that half inch which was better than nothing. If I recall correctly, it wouldn't be the easiest job to redo the seat altogether.

[Blue66]

Interesting. Wife is 5' 2"s.. She wants to drive our CSX to.

[twobjshelbys]

Have you tried contacting Shelby? They may have a ready solution.

[RodKnock]

I'm not sure where you're located (Chicago area?), but if I has this issue, then I would take my Cobra to McCluskey in SoCal, Olthoff Racing in North Carolina, Stewart Hall of Hall Fabrication in NorCal or Billy Andrews in New York and just let them fit you and make any seat/pedal/steering wheel modifications necessary. I'm sure there must be some racing/resto "guru" shop near you that could do it properly.

Even ERA in CT and Kirkham in UT could help with any mods, but their schedule may booked for quite a while.

The pillow idea sounds awful to me.

[Ozzie Goat]

In Chicago area, that's probably D&M Motorsport in Glen Ellen

I know they've done fabrication work for several area SPF owners.

Roy

[fordracing65]

Originally Posted by Blue66

Interesting. Wife is 5' 2"s.. She wants to drive our CSX to.

Watch the video of the guy who let his wife drive the cobra. Lol

[Ozzie Goat]

These could raise the seat ...

Seat Spacers - Olthoff Racing

[A-Snake]

At least one team driver of CSX2345 required a little extra reach.

[Bean]

Had the same problem. Accelerator and brake pedals and steering wheel OK but clutch in my car has a very long throw. One of these solved the problem. Accelerator extension looks a little iffy but clutch/brake extension is very sturdy and has lots of adjustment.

Gas & Brake Pedal Extenders

Good luck with your car and welcome to the madness.

Bean

[Blue66]

Originally Posted by fordracing65

Watch the video of the guy who let his wife drive the cobra. Lol

Of course I saw that. Also watched many hit the wall at the drags. Both my daughter and her have driven faster cars . She managed to drive my old 427 Cobra in the 70's. She just wants to drive it every now an then. We really just use it as a driver. Daughter wants nothing to do with it. Oh my daughter was born on the day I picked up my 427. Kind of a deal I had with the wife

[mrmustang]

Originally Posted by Riverside racer

I have two types of Clevis extensions for both clutch and brake . One which will put the pedal 20mm Closer and the other which does 40mm. First check if you have enough free space on the floor to allow this mod and then also if the throttle pedal will not be too deep to allow easy foot movement .
Ross

"Da Bunnies" (tm) know

Ross gets my vote here for the experience with these cars to know the mod to make the OP's car fit his stature


Bill S.

PS: Ross, you are not here enough for most of the others to know you, or your fabrication history and skills...

[dcdoug]

Originally Posted by Al G

Have you adjusted the seat all the way forward? There is quite a bit of built in adjustability.

What Al said. They slide forward quite a bit.

[Csx6069]

Thanks, for all the ideas. I am sure, by spring. I will have it all setup. If all else fails, I could always get a pair of "KISS" boots! lol.