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-   -   What's the max driver height for a 57 T Bird? (https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=341819)

OldMercs 09-03-2024 07:55 PM

What's the max driver height for a 57 T Bird?
 

I'm 6' 3". Would I be comfortable in a 57 T Bird?

Ford blue blood 09-04-2024 07:50 AM

Re: What's the max driver height for a 57 T Bird?
 

Depends on age.....need to be flexible.

miker98038 09-04-2024 11:07 AM

Re: What's the max driver height for a 57 T Bird?
 

I’ve got a friend in his mid 70’s with a 57. L is at least 6’2”, and he drives his bird just fine, even with an under dash a A/C unit. He’s really slim and he fit the smaller aftermarket reproductions steering wheel. One trip was Seattle-Chicago, Rt. 66 to SoCal, and back to Seattle up the coast. He did say he was tempted to ship the car from LA, but drove it home. I don’t know how he does it, I’m 5’10” and 160, and my back is only good for about a two hour period. YRMV.

dmsfrr 11-24-2024 04:34 PM

Re: What's the max driver height for a 57 T Bird?
 

Find a local club and try a few on for size. This link may help...
https://www.ctci.org/select-a-region-map/

Or ask owners at local car shows if you can sit in their Baby Bird, '57 or not.
At 6' 3" you may be looking into the sun visor. ???

With a hardtop or soft top in place the door opening height is very close to the same. I'm 5' 10" 165 and have to lean in head first.

Each Bird will be slightly different inside depending on its options. They all left the factory with large diameter steering wheels and a telescoping steering column. After that most bets are off. Factory options listed at this link...
https://www.portholeauthority.com/th...ch/trivia.html

There's a '55 Bird here with an automatic transmission & power seat. With the seat in it's best position (all the way back) and the steering wheel in its best position (still too close to my chest) my right foot can't get to the brake pedal because my right knee hits the steering wheel. So I brake with my left foot, fairly awkward but possible.

A few years ago I had the opportunity to buy a '57 Bird at a good price. With a manual OD transmission getting past the steering wheel to all the pedals was a big concern, until a test drive.
With the manual seat all the way back reaching the pedals isn't a problem. I attribute this to a 'better' seating position with the manual seat, it's possibly a bit farther back than a power seat.

The smaller diameter after-market original style steering wheels can be helpful. But they're only available in the '56/'57 style.
.


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