Will I fit in a Roadster??

[jharrellh]

I am afraid I may have gotten the cart before the proverbial horse, but I am in the process of purchasing a nice '29 roadster to fulfill a lifelong dream. I have spent some time with a '30 tudor with no issues, but now a comment made by the seller has me a little worried.

So, what are your thoughts on a 5' 9" guy weighing in at 230 with a 30" inseam fitting in a stock roadster? Obviously have a bit of a beer gut, and dieting for a number of reasons

[whirnot]

Pretty tight....

[frank mcdaniels]

I have a roadster but my seats aren’t stock so there back further and not as thick and I have lots of room . The thing I have noticed is that people want to grab the windshield stations when getting in and out.There is also a temptation to grab the steering wheel to pull yourself in.I suppose this happens in most model As but I have found it to be worse in the open models.That being said I have always thought the roadster was the ultimate. Frank

[CHuDWah]

Dunno if this will help, but FWIW...

[Ruth]

Don't the later model Roadsters ('30-31) have more room the the '28-29?

[California Travieso]

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I have a 29 Roadster with a standard seat. I'm 5' 8" and 170 lbs. and it's a tight fit getting in and out of it, especially with the top up. The door is narrow and it's a tight squeeze between the back door pillar and the steering wheel.

I would recommend you get in and out of it and drive it several times to make sure you're ok with it; otherwise, you may want to look for a 30 -31 Roadster which has more room.

David Serrano

[Dodge]

I have a 1929 Roadster and I am 6' tall 220lbs. 30" inseam. I made a new seat back a little thinner out of foam which moves it back some and it made all the difference in the world.
As far as getting in and out you'll have to find your own way to do it. I step on the running board and turn around backwards and get in.
I get out in the reverse order.

It is worth the trouble you'll love it.

[Patrick L.]

I think the 30 is a bit bigger than the 29. I'm 6'1", 170# [ 240# a couple years ago] with 32" inseam, 11.5 shoe. There is a learning curve to getting in and out of these monsters, especially with the top up. But thats quickly learned. [ don't use the running boards].

[springerpete]

I think it is dependent on how bad you want the '29. Mine is fine for me. ( 5'10"and 205 ) You'll learn how to do it. My top is down 99% of the time so I get in standing up. My left knee was replaced last Sept and I still have no problem. However, it is not like getting into your daily driver. My buddy gets into his '29 on the passenger side and slides across.

[maako]

I am 5”10 225 lbs no problem driving my 29 Roadster, you just need to figure out how you want to get in and out.

[motordr]

As already stated, you learn a technique for entry and exit also dependant on shoe size. If the steering wheel is in the way, teach your wife to drive it.

[trulyvintage]

Originally Posted by jharrellh

I am afraid I may have gotten the cart before the proverbial horse, but I am in the process of purchasing a nice '29 roadster to fulfill a lifelong dream. I have spent some time with a '30 tudor with no issues, but now a comment made by the seller has me a little worried.

So, what are your thoughts on a 5' 9" guy weighing in at 230 with a 30" inseam fitting in a stock roadster? Obviously have a bit of a beer gut, and dieting for a number of reasons

Would you buy a pair of shoes without trying them on to see how they fit ?

Perhaps if you had bought that particular style in that particular size by that particular manufacture before you would not hesitate.


Try it before you buy it


Jim

[Jim Brierley]

The problem with grabbing the steering wheel to assist you is it strains the bracket-to-gas-tank area, and can eventually cause gas leaks. This can be avoided by installing a drop-mount like the late '31 A's have. I understand some Model A parts houses have such a thing?

[Mountain Dew]

I'm 6'1" 230 lbs with a 38"hamburger belly. You'll learn the trick to get in and out of it. It would be a problem if I had side mounted spares. Like Jim said, avoid pulling on the steering wheel due to strain on the gas tank bracket. Once inside it's fairly comfortable. Getting my feet to the clutch and brake pedals quickly is a concern but I drive accordingly. Like you, I have always admired the 28/29 roadster styling and finally got one. They are fun to drive especially with the top down. No regrets here.

[37 Coupe]

Last summer I decided at age 72 it would be neat to have a Model A roadster like I did at age 18.Lots of V-8 Fords since then. I went to an auction a local one where the deceased owned a lot of old cars including Model A Fords.I tried to get in a '29 roadster and could not believe how tough it was,well really impossible and was feeling pretty dejected until I sat in a '31.Someone told me to try getting in passenger side and sliding over,it is still cramped on the '31 roadster I ending up buying as my belly rubs the steering wheel or vice versa but not to bad if I tend to sit a little towards the door where steering wheel is a little off center. Henry and dsel must have decided that everyone who wants a Model A should be as trim as they were. Walter Chrysler was correct about one thing as he tried to get potential Model A buyers to try out a Plymouth,a lot more room and car for the money.His accountants told him the '31 and later the '32 PB would have to sell at $800-$ 1000 to make a profit,he wouldn't have it.Sold at a loss just to cheat Henry out of a sale. I actually sold a '32 PB convertible coupe last August to buy the Model A but the reason was I could go no farther with the Plymouth as far as restoration.Parts are almost impossible to find for an 8 month production run car .

[Detonator]

Originally Posted by 37 Coupe

Henry and dsel must have decided that everyone who wants a Model A should be as trim as they were.

Take a look at the photos from the pre- and post WWII Dry Lakes era. Lots of guys standing around cars and no one is overweight. No one. Compare that to photos of today's events...

[Jeff/Illinois]

Originally Posted by Detonator

Take a look at the photos from the pre- and post WWII Dry Lakes era. Lots of guys standing around cars and no one is overweight. No one. Compare that to photos of today's events...

I've noticed that too. You have to hunt to find overweight people in 1930's era movies too.

It has to do with fast food, supersize it, and corn syrup in everything we eat today plus the growth hormones they feed the animals we eat that didn't exist 70 years ago.

[Tom Wesenberg]

Originally Posted by Jeff/Illinois

I've noticed that too. You have to hunt to find overweight people in 1930's era movies too.

It has to do with fast food, supersize it, and corn syrup in everything we eat today plus the growth hormones they feed the animals we eat that didn't exist 70 years ago.

Exactly. This past October I finally got serious about loosing fat, have dropped 25 pounds, and hope to drop 15 or 20 more. Most winters I gain 10 pounds, but this winter I lost 25, so that's a great start. The first week or two you need to eat less and you will feel very hungry while the stomach shrinks back to it's correct size. After that just keep eating smaller portions, exercise more, drop ALL junk food, and your body will thank you. I sure feel much better, and expect to be under 200 in the next couple days. My blood pressure has dropped back to normal, so I quit taking my BP meds.


I'll be able to jump in and out of my 28 Phaeton much easier now.

[California Travieso]

Originally Posted by Jeff/Illinois

I've noticed that too. You have to hunt to find overweight people in 1930's era movies too.

It has to do with fast food, supersize it, and corn syrup in everything we eat today plus the growth hormones they feed the animals we eat that didn't exist 70 years ago.

Jeff,

You're right about the movies. The only two I can think of are comedians, Oliver Hardy and Fatty Arbuckle!

David Serrano

[BHRS]

I'm 6'1 180 lbs 32" inseam. Which has more leg room and ease of exit/entry - 28/29 Roadster or 28/29 Roadster Pickup?