Question re: Unique 289 FIA

Russ Dickey · #1 (**permalink**) 05-14-2003, 09:24 AM

These questions are for you guys who own, have owned, or know about the Unique 289 FIA cars:

How uncomfortable (if at all) does the forward-braced roll bar make it for passengers?

How comfortable is the driver's side, from a shoulder-room perspective? I'm not a huge guy (6'0 at 225), but I've got pretty broad shoulders and have noticed that when I have sat in a few other Cobra makes, that I can't even bring my left arm down to my side. It's too tight and I have to constantly leave my left arm up on the door.

Thanks for the feedback.

Russ

Randy Resetar · #2 (**permalink**) 05-14-2003, 09:39 AM

Russ: I have a FIA car from Unique. I am 6' 2" 220 and even though it's a tight fit I can put my left arm down. The issue is more about leg room. you need to mount the seat as far back as you can. The roll bar is a non issue. Plenty of room for the passanger...RR

acaskie · #3 (**permalink**) 05-14-2003, 09:53 AM

Russ,

RR is right on. Clearance for the driver's left arm is tight, but adequate. The roll bar is a non-issue comfort-wise, although some passengers are happy to have it to hang on to.

Tongue Pirate · #4 (**permalink**) 05-14-2003, 10:26 AM

That is a good question. These cars "are" small, tight & uncomfortable for the most part. More about the thrill than comfort.

Russ Dickey · #5 (**permalink**) 05-14-2003, 11:00 AM

Understood, and I realize that in general, Cobras are simply brutes and that comfort is an afterthought. However, it seems that the cockpit size varies so much from manufacturer to manufacturer, that I had to ask.

It's no joke that I recently sat in a particular 427, and absolutely could not put my left arm inside the car. I realize that I'll probably be driving with it on the door most of the time anyway, but still want some room there if I have to avoid an oncoming bumblebee or something....

jhaynie · #6 (**permalink**) 05-14-2003, 11:08 AM

The guy I bought mine from was 6'4" and fit in the car well. I would think that for the most part, the 90" wheelbase cars that are designed to be close to original dimensions all probably fit the same.

poorboy · #7 (**permalink**) 05-14-2003, 11:25 AM

The cockpit size is the same for both Unique's FIA & 427.

Poorboy

Silk · #8 (**permalink**) 05-14-2003, 11:34 AM

Russ,

Not quite your size (5'11", 190), but I've put about 10,000 miles on the car, including some long drives, and the cockpit size is fine. Most of these cars take a little getting used to, and seem very cramped at first. But after a while you get used to it and don't even notice. Front-braced roll bar has never been a problem at all for passangers.

Russ Dickey · #9 (**permalink**) 05-14-2003, 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by poorboy

The cockpit size is the same for both Unique's FIA & 427.

Poorboy

Thanks to everybody for the replies. I have yet to sit in a Unique car at all. The 427 model that I spoke of earlier which was too cramped for me was an Everett-Morrison car. I had more room in the CSX4000/Kirkham, and was very comfortable in the Premiere Motorsports, but have yet to sit in an SPF or Unique for comparison.

Russ

Tongue Pirate · #10 (**permalink**) 05-14-2003, 08:50 PM

Russ I have had the opportunity to sit in an SPF & it is pretty roomy as far as cobras are concerned. Unique's car is also pretty roomy. Both cars have a some adjustability to get taller people into them. I am about 6'1" & both were pretty small feeling which I think is going to be common with these cars. I think I can get used to it

The forward braced roll bar does seem like it would be in the way but I don't intend on spending much time there

The girlfriend already says she's not either! We'll see about that