The Ford Barn

OldMercs · 09-03-2024, 07:55 PM

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

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

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

miker98038 · 09-04-2024, 11:07 AM

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

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

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.
.

09-03-2024, 07:55 PM	#1
OldMercs Member Join Date: Aug 2024 Location: Hudson, Maine Posts: 44	What's the max driver height for a 57 T Bird? I'm 6' 3". Would I be comfortable in a 57 T Bird?

09-04-2024, 07:50 AM	#2
Ford blue blood Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Birmingham, AL Posts: 883	Re: What's the max driver height for a 57 T Bird? Depends on age.....need to be flexible. __________________ Bill, certified Ford nut. 2024 F-150 2018 Lincoln MKZ 2016 Focus 1961 Comet S-22 1956 Ford Crown Victoria 36 Chevy, 351C/FMX, 8", Mustang II

09-04-2024, 11:07 AM	#3
miker98038 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Kent, WA. Tucson, AZ Posts: 1,625	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.

11-24-2024, 04:34 PM	#4
dmsfrr Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Abq, NM Posts: 3,725	Re: What's the max driver height for a 57 T Bird? Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) 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. . Last edited by dmsfrr; 11-25-2024 at 11:57 AM.