I recently had the chance to visit CSX8011 that is for sale at a dealership here in Colorado. It is a very nice looking car but I found that after pretzeling myself into the driver's seat, my knees were snug up against the lower dash. It has me wondering how tall one could be and still fit comfortably into an original Cobra? I assume that AC built all cars to the same dimension?
Well Dan Gurney was 6-4 and folded in and out, the key word is COMFORTABLE it had to have been a bitch to sit in it for hours and driving it like the devil was catching you. :-\
Quote from: JWH on November 26, 2018, 07:06:01 PM
I recently had the chance to visit CSX8011 that is for sale at a dealership here in Colorado. It is a very nice looking car but I found that after pretzeling myself into the driver's seat, my knees were snug up against the lower dash. It has me wondering how tall one could be and still fit comfortably into an original Cobra? I assume that AC built all cars to the same dimension?
I believe at least some of the 4000/8000 had the back bulk head modified so the seat can go back further compared to a 3000 Cobra. Your fit will be even more cramped in a vintage car.
Otto Werlin bought a 260 Cobra brand new and drove it until he was well in to his 70s. he was 6 feet 9
I'm 6'3" with a 36" inseam.......regularly do 1,000 mile week long drives in a 3000 car.....did over 8,000 miles in the last two years
A couple of the 2000 car guys we drive with are at least my height and do the same
Is it comfortable? Probably not if you're comparing modern terms....but if you're a car nut you just get in and drive
I've never felt uncomfortable......maybe I'm a car nut :)
Quote from: prototypefan on November 26, 2018, 09:59:27 PM
I'm 6'3" with a 36" inseam.......regularly do 1,000 mile week long drives in a 3000 car.....did over 8,000 miles in the last two years
A couple of the 2000 car guys we drive with are at least my height and do the same
Is it comfortable? Probably not if you're comparing modern terms....but if you're a car nut you just get in and drive
I've never felt uncomfortable......maybe I'm a car nut :)
I'm 6'1" and had the seat track in my Kirkham 427 moved back about an inch. Gave me some space between my right knee and the dashboard. Very comfortable seating position.
Car nuts also don't mind driving a roadster with no windows, top or radio...plus a crazy-loud exhaust and a blast furnace of an engine serving as the always-on heater. Yeah, baby!!!
Jim, I remember meeting Otto once at one of the gatherings at the museum up in Boulder some years back -- he was a tall drink of water.
Shelby used 427 type foot boxes on all of the early Continuation Series Cobras, CSX4000, CSX7000 and CSX 8000 Series Cobras. The 427 foot boxes are a lot more cramped than an original 289 type foot boxes, especially in width and pedal position.
Let me know if you need someone 5'10" to try one on for size. I'd be happy to volunteer. ;)
Quote from: acman63 on November 26, 2018, 09:28:15 PM
Otto Werlin bought a 260 Cobra brand new and drove it until he was well in to his 70s. he was 6 feet 9
A nice write up on Otto for anyone who is interested:
https://www.denverpost.com/2008/12/12/ski-chief-loved-loveland/
I agree with CSX2259 in reference to the narrowness of the 427 footbox. It definitely takes some getting use to.
I know to gain a small amount of additional legroom some owners have removed some padding from the seat cushion area, allowing the driver to sit lower. Others have tilted the front of the seat up to gain what they claim is a better seating position. I cannot say that either option actually works as my six foot frame fits perfectly in my CSX.
I spent about 5 hours in the passenger seat of CSX2126 in '77 or '78. Besides having my spine permanently twisted to the right, my right butt cheek left with a permanet tatoo like bruise, the glue on my sneakers melted.
I thought there was a barbecue cooking chicken nearby but when I got out of the car (head first) I couldn't hear and the left sneaker came apart. Puma's too.
You can fit, but so does a sardine in a can. Depends on what you mean by fit?
As a driver you need to learn to tap dance, because that's how you work the pedals. You just move your toes.
The cars are made for mad dogs and Englishmen with slight builds and jockey type physical attributes. There's a reason only a small number were ever sold. It wasn't the price.
all we can say they are certainly beautiful and we will leave it at that....
Quote from: FL SAAC TONY on November 27, 2018, 09:01:32 AM
all we can say they are certainly beautiful and we will leave it at that....
Everything is relative. Another opposum thinks there is nothing better looking then another opposum.
The last one I had was hanging upside down by it's tail pulling the garbage can cover off with it's hands. I thought I had run into Dracula?
we have no opposums....lol
Quote from: shelbydoug on November 27, 2018, 09:28:23 AM
Quote from: FL SAAC TONY on November 27, 2018, 09:01:32 AM
all we can say they are certainly beautiful and we will leave it at that....
Everything is relative. Another opposum thinks there is nothing better looking then another opposum.
The last one I had was hanging upside down by it's tail pulling the garbage can cover off with it's hands. I thought I had run into Dracula?
There is far more room in an original 289 Cobra than a 427 Cobra and the seating position itself is more normal than in a 427 Cobra that has you twisted to the left to make room for the larger engine next to your feet. As a matter of fact the 289 Cobra has so much more room that there is a dead pedal fitted in the foot box to rest your left foot on.
I have converted both the aluminum and fiberglass bodied 289 based Continuation Series Cobras to the correct 289 foot boxes, it's not an easy conversion but it very worthwhile once done.
still say that they are beautiful cars
I can't fit in them well, but I'd drive it every day if I had one
Quote from: Steve McDonald Formally known as Mcdonas on November 27, 2018, 11:24:16 AM
I can't fit in them well, but I'd drive it every day if I had one
that makes two of us so + 2
Quote from: CSX2259 on November 27, 2018, 11:06:03 AM
There is far more room in an original 289 Cobra than a 427 Cobra and the seating position itself is more normal than in a 427 Cobra that has you twisted to the left to make room for the larger engine next to your feet. As a matter of fact the 289 Cobra has so much more room that there is a dead pedal fitted in the foot box to rest your left foot on.
I have converted both the aluminum and fiberglass bodied 289 based Continuation Series Cobras to the correct 289 foot boxes, it's not an easy conversion but it very worthwhile once done.
I was able to have a dead pedal built for my Kirkham 427. Still have to dance on your toes for the pedals, but it's nice to have a foot rest.
Quote from: FL SAAC TONY on November 27, 2018, 10:08:22 AM
we have no opposums....lol
Quote from: shelbydoug on November 27, 2018, 09:28:23 AM
Quote from: FL SAAC TONY on November 27, 2018, 09:01:32 AM
all we can say they are certainly beautiful and we will leave it at that....
Everything is relative. Another opposum thinks there is nothing better looking then another opposum.
The last one I had was hanging upside down by it's tail pulling the garbage can cover off with it's hands. I thought I had run into Dracula?
"Blessed is he who expects nothing for he shall not be disappointed"
amen my brother and many blessings!
Quote from: shelbydoug on November 27, 2018, 12:15:40 PM
Quote from: FL SAAC TONY on November 27, 2018, 10:08:22 AM
we have no opposums....lol
Quote from: shelbydoug on November 27, 2018, 09:28:23 AM
Quote from: FL SAAC TONY on November 27, 2018, 09:01:32 AM
all we can say they are certainly beautiful and we will leave it at that....
Everything is relative. Another opposum thinks there is nothing better looking then another opposum.
The last one I had was hanging upside down by it's tail pulling the garbage can cover off with it's hands. I thought I had run into Dracula?
"Blessed is he who expects nothing for he shall not be disappointed"
Well, there was the Nygaard mod, which I took advantage on my 289 Cobra. John and Paul Nygaard were the original co-owners of CSX2577, which they regularly raced until the late '60s, mostly in Arizona. They were both well over 6' tall. Their fix was to take a BFH and whack in the rear fender behind the driver's seat. This allowed the seat to move back a few more inches and added a bit more leg room.
R
Here is what a 289 Cobra foot box would look like, it has an oversized dead pedal installed.
The biggest problem for me is the 16" steering wheel and drop dash in respect to leg/knee room. I can work around a tight foot box, but if there is no place for my knee to go, what's a guy to do? I'm 6'2" and was able to make myself drive an original CSX 2000 car by first removing my shoes and abducting my hips as much as possible. I made it work. I wouldn't be able to do it for more than an hour.
I have experienced more room in my 427 ERA replica cars. A part of that is the dash and a few mods ERA has figured out along the way to get the most room possible while maintaining the original wheelbase. I have the most room in my ERA FIA car with the comp dash (no drop dash) configuration. Best of both worlds.
One other factor that I suspect made life easier for the Nygaards and most likely Gurney and other taller competition drivers were the comp seats. The stock street were fairly thick and cushiony while the comps were thin and without cushioning.
R
Quote from: shelbydoug on November 27, 2018, 12:15:40 PM
Quote from: FL SAAC TONY on November 27, 2018, 10:08:22 AM
we have no opposums....lol
Quote from: shelbydoug on November 27, 2018, 09:28:23 AM
Quote from: FL SAAC TONY on November 27, 2018, 09:01:32 AM
all we can say they are certainly beautiful and we will leave it at that....
Everything is relative. Another opposum thinks there is nothing better looking then another opposum.
The last one I had was hanging upside down by it's tail pulling the garbage can cover off with it's hands. I thought I had run into Dracula?
"Blessed is he who expects nothing for he shall not be disappointed"
Love them marsupials
indeed, tasty
Quote from: Steve McDonald Formally known as Mcdonas on November 27, 2018, 07:27:10 PM
Quote from: shelbydoug on November 27, 2018, 12:15:40 PM
Quote from: FL SAAC TONY on November 27, 2018, 10:08:22 AM
we have no opposums....lol
Quote from: shelbydoug on November 27, 2018, 09:28:23 AM
Quote from: FL SAAC TONY on November 27, 2018, 09:01:32 AM
all we can say they are certainly beautiful and we will leave it at that....
Everything is relative. Another opposum thinks there is nothing better looking then another opposum.
The last one I had was hanging upside down by it's tail pulling the garbage can cover off with it's hands. I thought I had run into Dracula?
"Blessed is he who expects nothing for he shall not be disappointed"
Love them marsupials
I got a can of that for Christmas a few years back
steve canned will do in a bind, but nothing beats fresh road kill...
let's drop this and go back to the topic at hand...how tall can a driver be in a original cobra? only mickey knows...
Quote from: Steve McDonald Formally known as Mcdonas on November 27, 2018, 07:57:40 PM
I got a can of that for Christmas a few years back
If anyone wants to "loan" me a real Cobra for a few weeks , I'll test how wide a foot will fit. I wear a size 10 5E left shoe and a 6E right shoe
Is your right foot wider from all those years of standing on the throttle real hard?
If so, bravo!
Three positions, idle, wide open and cruise. Foot is usually only used for two of the three positions 8)
at last the answer has been found.....
Not sure what all the complaining is about. I'm 6'2" and have enjoyed 289 and 427 Cobras since '72. Never felt uncomfortable, even on the 1000-mile tours we still participate in. :)
Quote from: Cobra Ned on November 30, 2018, 03:26:35 PM
Not sure what all the complaining is about. I'm 6'2" and have enjoyed 289 and 427 Cobras since '72. Never felt uncomfortable, even on the 1000-mile tours we still participate in. :)
We don't call you the pretzel for nothing. 8)
Quote from: shelbydoug on November 30, 2018, 07:15:44 PM
Quote from: Cobra Ned on November 30, 2018, 03:26:35 PM
Not sure what all the complaining is about. I'm 6'2" and have enjoyed 289 and 427 Cobras since '72. Never felt uncomfortable, even on the 1000-mile tours we still participate in. :)
We don't call you the pretzel for nothing. 8)
OK, so I left out the fact that the inseam on my jeans is 22" and my torso is abnormally long... Next, just ask me how I like the convertible top. :D
Quote from: Cobra Ned on November 30, 2018, 08:06:26 PM
Quote from: shelbydoug on November 30, 2018, 07:15:44 PM
Quote from: Cobra Ned on November 30, 2018, 03:26:35 PM
Not sure what all the complaining is about. I'm 6'2" and have enjoyed 289 and 427 Cobras since '72. Never felt uncomfortable, even on the 1000-mile tours we still participate in. :)
We don't call you the pretzel for nothing. 8)
OK, so I left out the fact that the inseam on my jeans is 22" and my torso is abnormally long... Next, just ask me how I like the convertible top. :D
I think it is the cold wind in your face that is supposed to snap one back into reality from the effect of the farfegnugen of driving a Cobra?
I personally use racing shoes to eliminate the smell of the cooking chicken from my sneakers glue melting. Problem solved.
Lee Weinstein used to wear this pilots helmet. Solved the problem of where you put the stereo speakers.
The doctors says everyones spine is slighly twisted one way or the other, so it just depends on if you are a passenger or driver as to which way? Why worry?
Having grown up driving MGA's, Sprites, etc. the Cobra doesn't seem all that small. Although retaining upper and lower flexibility is a key in getting in and out.
Quote from: CSX 4133 on December 01, 2018, 07:10:51 AM
Having grown up driving MGA's, Sprites, etc. the Cobra doesn't seem all that small. Although retaining upper and lower flexibility is a key in getting in and out.
The only conclusion that I could come to was to climb head first out of my XKE? My Pantera would prefer that the driver be surgically altered to better fit the foot/leg combination of the driver seat.
If you have about 4-5 inches removed from your left leg, you can get out foot first. Otherwise when you park the car, wait until there is no one watching, then just come out head first.
Euro sports cars are all the same. All designed for the S&M group. That's why black leather is so prevalent in them.
Who else would describe this as fun?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8JUVpbuJEfQ
No pipe or boots for me. Split the jacket right up the back though? 8)
Drivers were obviously shorter back in the fifties and sixties. My leafspring Kirkham has a pair of original sixties seat runners with accurate replica seats (Hawk), and footboxes and dash scrupulously correct for a COB6*** along with a 16" Motolita wheel. I'm comfortable in it but my mates generally have to peer over the top of the screen. I have a '67 Land Rover and a '68 Cooper S, both of which I fit fine but with no room to spare. My XK140 DHC is a rather snug fit.
There are some advantages to being 5'8" after all!
Roger
In '72 I "interviewed" with a US Navy (Flight) Commander for a position as a Navy fighter pilot. As I walked in, he said nothing and just shook his head. He said, "nope...no way. You can fly for us but not in a fighter jet. You'll never fit. It's not like a car where you can adjust the seats?"
I said but "I can drive a 427 Cobra...I just stick over the top a little". He just smiled and said, "I heard a lot of good things about you, you still interested and handed me a pen." He out ranked me so I couldn't say anything like, "hey, I don't want to fly the mail truck"? Smartass that I am, I almost said it too? Jee-se!
He was tall too but slight like Shelby, Jimmy Stewart type. Typical of US pilots at the time.
You could see me and McCain duking it out right? Just as well? I'd be trouble. Seasickness...you know? ;)
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