6' 8" in a Coupe

[Richard Lorenz]

We are restoring a '31 coupe and would like it to fit my grandson who is that tall and wears size 15 shoes. We will cut the shelf down to 1". One idea is to use bucket seats from a modern car that would be lower and have a thinner back in order to give more entry and foot room. We will initially use a 7-tooth steering column that is a little shorter than the original column, but I have one already restored. The bad thing is that this will lower the steering wheel slightly.
Anyone have suggestions? Thanks in advance.

[1931 flamingo]

If you're cutting down the shelf and thinking of bucket seats you're obviously not going for fine point SO, i would consider a two tooth box and shorten it to what ever length you determine to work best. JMO
Paul in CT

[modeleh]

Whatever you do, it is still going to be uncomfortable for him. For a man that size I would seriously be considering trying to trade that coupe body for a sedan.

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

Well, two or three things are going for him. First, he is young, so his ability to be nimble is still an advantage in egress.

2nd, there is more than just one inch that can be taken out of the package tray. Take out more than one inch.

3rd, there is a buisness called Farber Sales in Knoxville that sells upholstery products including high density 1" foam. That is where I buy alot of products. What I don't know is wheter they will sell retail but if not, there should be some shop local that can get access to them. Buy the 1" high-density foam and glue it together to make a backrest that is thinner than the original which should be able to gain a couple of inches plus what you gain with the sectioned package tray.

[Jason in TX]

I've sat in a 3" chopped coupe that used the stock seat pushed all the way back (no package tray) and the bottom seat cushion was removed and they put a rumble seat cushion down instead. I'm 6"4' and I didn't bump my head.

[milo]

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Trade it for a tall "T".......

[wrndln]

Snyder's will custom make a seatback that is thinner. That is what I did for my 29 phaeton. They made mine 2" thinner. It will still probably be to tight, but help. I am 6' 4" (used to be 6' 5"). They charge $20 or $25 more for a custom spring.
Rusty Nelson

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

Originally Posted by wrndln

Snyder's will custom make a seatback that is thinner. That is what I did for my 29 phaeton. They made mine 2" thinner. It will still probably be to tight, but help. I am 6' 4" (used to be 6' 5"). They charge $20 or $25 more for a custom spring.
Rusty Nelson

Rusty, we just finished doing the metal work on a '28 Phaeton (pix below) and with you in mind, I was looking how that front seat back was installed. If I were in your shoes, I would make another front seatback and extend it rearward by about 4 inches which would give a 'boat-load' of leg room up front and I am not real sure the average Model A-er would ever notice it being moved. We mocked it up and the biggest place you would notice it would be when you were entering/exiting the rear seat through the doors. Outside of that, it would sure make one comfortable to drive, --well except when you would need to slide forward in the seat to reach the choke rod and/or step on the starter!!

.

[Bruce,Upstate NY]

My thought is a two door sedan. You can put a driver's seat anywhere you want and leave the passenger seat to access the rear. My tudor seat is back about 4 inches and on my pickup I used 2" foam on plywood. Big improvement.

[wrndln]

Brent,
Thanks for the info on the phaeton. Sounds interesting. I have tried to quit work on the phaeton until the 28 special coupe is done - getting closer, even though it is hard not to go back to the phaeton as that is the model A I have always wanted the most.
Rusty

[kelley's restoration]

something that would help alot is if you put a smaller steering wheel in it all together. i am 6'4" and my biggest problem is going from the throttle to the brake. i would not have shortened the colume at all,that will just make it worse
tk.

[Tom Wesenberg]

I agree with Kelley and am surprized that the smaller wheel hasn't been mentioned more often. I'd even think it might be a good seller as an aftermarket part from the Model A parts houses.

[wrndln]

The problem I see with a small steering wheel is it would make the steering wheel harder to turn, especially when not moving. In the old days, all cars had big steering wheels when power steering was just starting to be a option in some high end cars. Now, nearly every car has power steering and has a smaller steering wheel.

[SSsssteamer]

I agree with Kelly's restoration. A longer steering column for a taller person. Our '57 T bird has a telescoping steering column. My 5'3" wife drives it with it shortened up. I am 6'3" and I drive with it pulled out so I can get my knees under the steering wheel. The same would apply for a taller person in a model A. A longer steering column plus other modifications as needed. We have a 1929 Tudor and the seat is adjusted back for me and it is quite comfortable. My short wife throws a pillow behind her back for a better fit in the tudor. We have put 45,000 miles on the tudor and we wouldn't change anything.

[Richard Lorenz]

The smaller steering wheel sounds like a good idea. Is there one available somewhere? If not too expensive, we could at least try it out.

How about changing a regular Model A steering wheel by making it flat on the bottom. I believe that getting in and out is when more knee clearance is needed.

Thanks for all the good ideas so far. Richard Lorenz

[SSsssteamer]

Getting in and out of the model A isn't the biggest challenge for the taller Model A Ford driver, but it is being able to have knee clearance when lifting their foot to either use the brake pedal or to use the clutch pedal. My friend Frank Hurley of Vancouver, WA stands 6'6" or so and he wants a model A Ford so bad, but he just doesn't fit. He tried to sit in our Tudor but he didn't have room to lift his knees because the steering wheel was in the way. You do the math, it can be done, but do it right the first time.

[40Pickup]

When I borrow my friend's Model A coupe, I have a custom gear lever that I've bent of shape, so I have more clearance between the steering wheel and gear lever and a better place for my knee.
I'm 6 '7 "and it works with some antusiasm and thin shoes as a temporary solution.
It takes some technique to get in and out with this length.
/40Pickup

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

Originally Posted by 40Pickup

When I borrow my friend's Model A coupe, I have a custom gear that I've bent of shape, so I have more clearance between the steering wheel and gear lever and a better place for my knee.
I'm 6 '7 "and it works with some antusiasm and thin shoes as a temporary solution.
It takes some technique to get in and out with this length.
/40Pickup

I'd bet, ...and kudos to you for your perseverance!! BTW, you mentioned you "have a custom gear that I have bent" that you use when you borrow the car. Could you elaborate please? Do you change out the gear lever when you want to drive it, --or is there something else?

[40Pickup]

Originally Posted by BRENT in 10-uh-C

I'd bet, ...and kudos to you for your perseverance!! BTW, you mentioned you "have a custom gear that I have bent" that you use when you borrow the car. Could you elaborate please? Do you change out the gear lever when you want to drive it, yes --or is there something else? No.. Yes... I want my own coupe!

/40Pickup

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

Originally Posted by 40Pickup

/40Pickup

Yes, your 40 Pickup told us he wants a "brother" in the form of a Model A Coupe to share the garage with!! Now you need to get busy and find him a companion!!