big guy shopping for his first cobra......help!!!

kill4acobra · #1 (**permalink**) 09-24-2003, 02:25 PM

Any advice I could get from this forum would be great, this site is amazing. I am shopping for my first cobra and I'm looking to keep the price under 40K, although I would spend a little more on the right car. I need a car I will fit in comfortably, I'm 6'4 240 lbs, not fat mind you...just a big dude. Will I fit comfortably into a Superperformance or am I wasting my time? If I can't fit into a SP, what's the next best thing? The Backdraft cars brag about their leg room, can anyone verify these claims? I'll take any advice I can get. Thanks in advance. Also, big block or small block, pros and cons......my first instinct is to think big....lol.

rdorman · #2 (**permalink**) 09-24-2003, 02:35 PM

Spend some times doing some searches here. The questions you are asking have been over quite a bit. You may still have questions but you will be much further along in the process.
Rick

vegan2 · #3 (**permalink**) 09-24-2003, 03:23 PM

My 2 cents: I just purchased my Cobra - with your size in mind, you had better get a model with an extended body or the comfort level will be a problem. If you are working on 300, forgetaboutit, but if the 240 is primarily muscle, you can always muscle your way into a Cobra and have a good time.

BlueRooster · #4 (**permalink**) 09-24-2003, 06:15 PM

I am 6'3" 220lbs and fit into the SPF surprisingly well. I dont think you are that much bigger than me, 1" or so? I dont think you will have that much of a problem. I have been on a couple 2+ hour trips and not 1 cramp.

Robert Evans · #5 (**permalink**) 09-24-2003, 06:47 PM

7' 1" tall, 290 lbs (not fat), 90" wheelbase car, and I look UNDER the top of the windshield. It all depends on how badly you want to drive one.

BTW, if something in the high $40's isn't out of reach for you, my Unique FIA is possibly up for sale, and you will have room to spare. You may even have to put a pillow behind you so you can reach the peddles!

I think there are pics in my gallery....

Fred Douglass · #6 (**permalink**) 09-24-2003, 07:41 PM

..if Bob Evans and I can fit in fine---for different reasons!

----I wouldn't sweat it. There's a myriad of ways to tweak seats, etc. around. A friend of mine wasn't happy with his SPF's "severe offset" of the pedals---(it ain't severe, but he felt it was). Solution? Just unbolt the driver's seat and (after drilling new holes to the left) drop her in? As to people who don't (or haven't weighed 300# saying that you should abandon all hope---well who's doing the tellin'?) I am 5'11" and hover (is that the word?) around 292-5. I can get in an out of the Butler without a hitch. We big bears can be desceptively quick, too!

My advice? Do a lot of riding and sitting. Look at a Lonestar--they're stretched and widened.
I know 3 SPF owners and every one is 6'2+" and two are hefty. No problems. One, in fact was the chap for whom I moved the seat. If you want and love these cars--you'll overlook the picky stuff. Listen to Bob Evans...

ohekk · #7 (**permalink**) 09-24-2003, 08:23 PM

Check out both the Classic Roadster and the Excalibur.

Of course I'm biased towards the Excailbur for obvious reasons.

You should be able to find either in your price range.

Tom

PS.

I can only think of one instance where a "tight fit" would be just right!

... and that's NOT in a Cobra!

Anthony · #8 (**permalink**) 09-24-2003, 08:31 PM

My friend has a spf, an early car #50 or so. He is an ex football lineman, 6'3", about 280-300 lbs. His seat has been lowered, the pedals moved farther apart, and a 14" steering wheel, and he fits fine. I find it alittle hard to drive his car as I'm much shorter.

His login name is cobrakalis on this site. Contact him. Also, call Dynamic Motorsports in Ohio (Superformance)

Woodz428 · #9 (**permalink**) 09-24-2003, 08:48 PM

Fred, 292-5 lbs? That's pretty good weight control a 3 lb fluctuation shows your body metabolism is just about right

.That's about how much my weight varies, summer to winter.

kill4acobra · #10 (**permalink**) 09-25-2003, 07:05 AM

Thanks for the feedback guys, it is very much appreciated and reassuring. When I pull the trigger I'll post some pics.

flanker · #11 (**permalink**) 09-25-2003, 07:31 AM

Give Backdraft a serious look. I am 6'3", 242 lbs and i fit perfectly into my BDR. I have one of their earliest car #8 and the newer cars have even more room inside since they relocated the roll bar down tubes behind the rear wall. you can get a turn key from Reg with a screaming motor setup for well under 40K

Good luck in your search

Forever Bitten
Frank H

Fred Douglass · #12 (**permalink**) 09-25-2003, 08:28 AM

...I have a SECA weight-scale and it measures very tiny (even ridiculously-picky) increments. It allows me to assess what effect different foods and activities (note: my activities are NOT "exercises"---my "workouts" are more likely dragging lumber and scaffolding around---i.e. not the "right kind" of weight-loss activity). In one year, I have lost 13 lbs--VERY SLOWLY.....but at least it stays off...Thanks for your support...

Kil4--I once sat in a Classic Roadsters cobra--had my 6'4" pal along. It was his fit that sold me---then I found out that Classics doesn't sell them anymore. Lonestar was one type my friend looked at, but there were no vehicles in the New England.....He's got that SPF I told you about. He bought it second hand, I moved the seat and he's driving more than I at the moment...Good luck and good hunting!

Bear2001 · #13 (**permalink**) 09-25-2003, 09:11 AM

6'6", weighing in at 260 & a size 14 boot. I followed Bob Evans suggestions for modifications and had the footbox width increased.

Placed the order with Hunter Cobra and am very satisfied with their product. Great fit and a reasonable price. Hunter will provide you with a kit or a turnkey..

You may want to contact Randy at (352) 622-5659

http://www.hunterscobrakits.homestead.com/

Tinker51 · #14 (**permalink**) 09-25-2003, 09:47 PM

Kill4, At 6'5" and 225 I fit just fine in my SPF.

decooney · #15 (**permalink**) 09-25-2003, 10:25 PM

Kill4aCobra,

Also see this thread: Any Cobras for a 6'5" tall drivers?

- some responses here too...

Any Cobras to fit 6'5" tall drivers ???

Jamo · #16 (**permalink**) 09-25-2003, 11:30 PM

Veg Head

Watch it!

Woods

Fred's fluctuation is due to whether he goes on the scale before or after he goes to bathroom.

Kill4aCobra

Follow the advice of others...go try them on. If Big Bob's offering to sell, get a plane ticket...NOW!

Me? 325lbs/6 feet. On the Atkins Meat Eating/Screw VeganGeeks Diet. Too soon to tell if it works, but I'm enjoying Harris Ranch beef (a client) every night over my wife's objections.

After I stretched out the Butler for him, Fred fits fine.

gotzoom · #17 (**permalink**) 09-25-2003, 11:41 PM

If you don't want to worry about moving seats, widening footboxes, spreading pedals, and just want to drive get a Lone Star. As others have metioned we tend to be biased toward what we got, but the Lone Star is extended and widened (and taller I think) and therefore incredibly comfortable. It is also easier to get in and out of since it has doors sized for real human beings.

Feel free to look at my Gallery pics. The Lone Star has all the right proportions and you will be able to drive it immediately upon delivery without modification.

Fred Douglass · #18 (**permalink**) 09-26-2003, 01:41 PM

.....2-4 lbs. for moi, "twenty something" pour toi?

"They all larfed when I sat down to play----I left the barthryoom door open!" remark attributed to Raoul Babinga. 1956: JEKYLHYDE

Fred Douglass · #19 (**permalink**) 09-26-2003, 02:05 PM

.....just kiddin' 'bout the terlit yoomah!

Now (pro bono, if you will)...answer me the followin' question(s): 1) what the Foxtrot-Uniform-Charlie-Kilo* is this silly "vague 'un" stuff? (or should I say "who"?---sounds like a "salad shooter" to me!

Better yet, who da fork does he think he is?---why don't youse and me make him into a beef sammitch with the "vegetable" (neuropathology nickname) in der middle! 2) and (lastly), what is this all-protein, herd 'em onto the Barbie, moo-sushi diet?---it a good'un?

My abiding dream is to soak down a herd of Herefords with Liquid Smoke, lead 'em into a hickory forest and torch it off!

Ooooopps, the PETA van just pulled up in front of me house!!!

* why spell it out when you can use an expensive Navy code-word rendition?

Chow

Jamo · #20 (**permalink**) 09-26-2003, 06:26 PM

Fredrick

Ever notice vegans have an odor about them?

Don't know if this protein/good carb thing is BS or not. Not missing the lack of bread yet. Love eating eggs again, but I'm trying to find a delivery system for butter since popcorn is out. May just need to have the wifey make me a bowl of lobster tails for snacks while I watch Snoop Doggy's Televizzel (funniest thing on TV).

Lori thinks I'm nuts...goes against everything she's ever known about healthy food. I think that's why I'm trying it...sheer spite.