Trying to find the right Cobra make to fit me

[Tallguy]

I am a tall guy at 6'6", and I am ready to build my Cobra, but need to find the right kit that fits the best.

I had a chance to visit the Lone Star Facility in Texas 2 weeks ago and although this kit stretched 4", it was a miserable fit from the standpoint of all of the pedals. With my foot on the clutch pedal, my knee was sticking outside the door. I did fit very comfortably with respect to upper body, and steering wheel and shifter reach (better than most cars). I was also under the roll bar by a couple inches. If I slipped my feet behind the pedals, I could stretch my legs out fully. This is encouraging, as there is some room to play with for pedal mounting, and Lone Star has a new pedal set that can be mounted in different locations. I will go back there once they can show me this, as it wasn’t quite ready yet. I am in Dallas on business once in a while….

I still like the idea of a 90” WB kit, but I am leaving all options open within reason, including a fully manual automatic trans, or maybe floor mounted pedals, or whatever else would work.

I want to try out as many kits as I can. Wondering what Norcal or reasonably local events might be coming up, or if there are any owners in the area that might want to show off their Cobra and let me sit in it for a couple minutes. I live in Folsom, but I am down around Fresno and Modesto quite often.

Where there is a will there is a way

Thanks,
Mark

[cobrakidz]

Mark, I live in the area and may know of some cobras you can sit in. Do you go to the Red Robin shows on wednesdays?

[Ron61]

Mark,

We have some guys that are as tall as you and they dropped the floor pans and re-did the seat mounting for them and they fit very well. Just takes a person with the equipment and know how to do this, and once it was finished, no one would ever notice the difference unless you pointed it out to them or an average height person sit in the car and couldn't reach the pedals.

Ron

[Art Burtt]

Try a Classic Roadster. They have a lot of leg room and adjustable seats.

[aspenbubba]

I understand that Back Draft Racing fits vthe tall guy better than most. Though it has a 92" wheel base.

[BEH]

Bob Evans, 7' + has a Unique that has been customized.
It is also for sale.
Bob Evans [cobra289fia@hotmail.com]
I am 6'8" and also looking, but do not want a kit.
So far no luck.
Apparently, Backdraft can bolt the seat to the floor and extend the pedal box, but I haven’t seen one with these modifications to try.
Brian

[Tallguy]

Originally Posted by cobrakidz

Mark, I live in the area and may know of some cobras you can sit in. Do you go to the Red Robin shows on wednesdays?

We go to Red Robin almost every Friday, but I have only been to the Weds show once, but there were no Cobras. I'll make sure to check it out more regularly. If you know of some people in the area PM me or e-mail
maaolson@sbcglobal.net.

Thanks!
Mark

[Tallguy]

aspenbubba, I will try a Backdraft as soon I can find one near by. I don;t tink they are sold in kit form though.....

Art B - I will try the CR as well, it is definitely on the list.

BEH - I learned about Bob Evans height/fit several years back on this forum, and really that is what convinced me that there is a way to fit a shorty like me at 6'6. As for his 289, it's not for me, but I hope a tall person buys it to take advantage of the mods!

Thanks to all
Mark

[Tallguy]

Originally Posted by Ron61

Mark,

We have some guys that are as tall as you and they dropped the floor pans and re-did the seat mounting for them and they fit very well. Just takes a person with the equipment and know how to do this, and once it was finished, no one would ever notice the difference unless you pointed it out to them or an average height person sit in the car and couldn't reach the pedals.

Ron

Ron,

I am new to the forum, but it sounds like you do customizing. If so I'd be interested in learrning more. I like the idea of only me being able to reach the pedals PM or e-mail maaolson@sbcglobal.net

Thanks Mark

[David Kirkham]

Mark,

You might be surprised at how much room we can get into one of our cars. Thre are several modifications we do to them. Jorgen has one of our cars and he is 6'4" and so we had to do a lot of mods for him. When we were done with his car, no one here in the shop could even drive it anymore. I am 5'9" and simply couldn't reach the pedals.

We drop the foot box 2 inches, cut the seat foam 2 inches, drop the seat 1 inch, move the pedals forward 2 inches and move the seat back 3 inches. We are doing several tall guy cars right now. We'd be happy to have you stop by for a visit.

David

[Tallguy]

Thanks for the reply David. I have not ruled out a Kirkham car, but if I did aluminum, I would want full polish with stripes, and I am not sure if I can get myself to spend the extra money to do it "right". I am doing the math with savings on paint, and other items to get a more apples to apples comparison to other kits. Still apples to oranges (fiberglass to aluminum), but you know what I mean.....

Mark

[David Kirkham]

Give me a ring; you might be surprised what you find!

David

[onefastmustang]

Originally Posted by Tallguy

I am a tall guy at 6'6", and I am ready to build my Cobra, but need to find the right kit that fits the best.

I had a chance to visit the Lone Star Facility in Texas 2 weeks ago and although this kit stretched 4", it was a miserable fit from the standpoint of all of the pedals. With my foot on the clutch pedal, my knee was sticking outside the door. I did fit very comfortably with respect to upper body, and steering wheel and shifter reach (better than most cars). I was also under the roll bar by a couple inches. If I slipped my feet behind the pedals, I could stretch my legs out fully. This is encouraging, as there is some room to play with for pedal mounting, and Lone Star has a new pedal set that can be mounted in different locations. I will go back there once they can show me this, as it wasn’t quite ready yet. I am in Dallas on business once in a while….

I still like the idea of a 90” WB kit, but I am leaving all options open within reason, including a fully manual automatic trans, or maybe floor mounted pedals, or whatever else would work.

I want to try out as many kits as I can. Wondering what Norcal or reasonably local events might be coming up, or if there are any owners in the area that might want to show off their Cobra and let me sit in it for a couple minutes. I live in Folsom, but I am down around Fresno and Modesto quite often.

Where there is a will there is a way

Thanks,
Mark

Mark

I have a completed CR if you are interested in checking it out for fit.. I am about an hour from you and we could get together when I get home from my 3 week vacation..

Mike

Edited because I really can spell and was just really tired.. I need a vacation from my vacation..

[Tallguy]

Originally Posted by onefastmustang

Mark

I have a completed CR if you insterested in checking it out for fit.. I am about an hour from you and we could get together when I get from my 3 week vacation..

Mike

Absolutely! Have a great long vacation!! I am in Dixon once in a while, but still close either way.....

Thanks,
Mark

[ICBomber90]

Here's a link to a discussion over at FFCobra.com about fitting a car for tall drivers. http://www.ffcobra.com/ubb/ultimateb...12.html#000010

Many solutions to adding room to a 90" WB Cobra, you should check out an alum Kirkey seat mounted all the way back, it will add a huge amount of room.



HIH, Pat

[Tallguy]

Originally Posted by ICBomber90

Here's a link to a discussion over at FFCobra.com about fitting a car for tall drivers. [url]

Many solutions to adding room to a 90" WB Cobra, you should check out an alum Kirkey seat mounted all the way back, it will add a huge amount of room.


HIH, Pat

Thanks, that is a great link. Traced it back to a thread with a 6'6 guy in a FFR frame only view with the diff seats... Very useful.

Mark

[David Kirkham]

We have used the Kirkey seats as well. They give you a TON of room.

David

[CJ428CJ]

Tallguy,

Visit the Bay Area Cobra Club event site at www.baccevents.com They organize a number of events where you'd be able to check out a variety of makes. They meet in Livermore every Saturday morning. On a typical Saturday they have about 25-30 cars that you'd be able to check out.

Chris

[Nor Cal Al]

Hey Mark,
I just picked up on this thread. I have a Backdraft and live in the Auburn/Grass Valley area. You are welcome to hook up with me and have a look at mine. Just PM me and I will give you contact information. I may drive it to work (Sacramento) tomorrow.

I know of at least one more Backdraft in the Sac area.

Also, be aware that we have a local group, Nor Cal Cobras, that meets every 3rd Saturday of the month. Watch the Nol Cal club listing here on clubcobra. We usually start chatting about a location a week or so in advance. You can usually find quite a few different brands to look at and sit in. Great group of people.

AL

[Cracker]

Mark - I'm 6'5" and can relate to your position. I've owned both the Contemporary and Superformance brands and was able to do slight modifications to both to fit me reasonably well. A must for me was a "special" seat that I could mount to both the floor and back against the bulkhead. Look out for makes that pinch your FOOT room as well. For instance, the Backdraft would never work with my size 15 feet as they have an exaggerated trans tunnel similar to that of a Pantera.

Nor Cal Al - pretty place up there in Auburn/Grass Valley. My grandparents have lived in Lake of the Pines since '73 and I've spent many, many summers tubing down the Bear River - love that country!