Interior room of different models

[ohnomrbillk]

First post by long time lurker.

I saw my first factory five build nearly 20 years ago when a family friend built a cobra with a 5 L mustang donor car. It turned out incredible. I knew I’d be interested in building a factory five someday.

I found with many vehicles that I don’t fit well as a person. I’m 6‘3“ tall. A large amount of my height is in my long torso. Very wide shoulders. Competitive weight lifting for 30 years. Big feet, and I want enough foot room to reasonably comfortably have a manual transmission.

I have found lots of threads on here concerning modifications for individual models and associated modifications to accommodate for taller drivers, but I have not found a threat concerning comparison of different models for interior room.

Of all the factory five vehicles, is there one in particular that has more generous interior room? Or any in particular that are small? I realize there are different seat options and modifications that accommodate drivers up height. I don’t have a big belly to be in my way, but the rest of me is pretty sick from weight training.

Or in other words, if an NFL linebacker wanted to build a factory five with a manual transmission, what model would you recommend?

Before anyone suggests it, although a Baja capable truck would be a lot of fun, I’m more interested in any of the other models.

[Jeff Kleiner]

Most generous will be the 33 hot rod and the newer long wheelbase/long cab 35 pickup. Gen3 Coupe is OK for bigger guys once you get in, but entry and exit can be challenging for some. 6'3" fits a roadster with proper seat selection and mounting (i.e. lowback Kirkeys) but the footbox could be a little tight.

Jeff

[Dgc333]

If at all possible take a trip to Factory Five in Wareham, MA. They have all the models in their showroom and will let you try them on.

I am 6' and 205 lbs with a 32" inseam. Once in I fit fine in all but the 35 truck, but at 70 and not being as flexible any more the Cobra roadster and Cobra Coupe were none starters because of the difficulty getting in and out. When I was trying them on the 35 truck still has the smaller cab and I felt like my knees were in my arm pits, the 4" longer cab they are selling now may have corrected it for me.

The two versions of the 33 are easy to get in and out of and have plenty of room for a clutch pedal with my size 10 feet. The Speedstar may not be a good choice for some one with a long torso. The top is more radically chopped than a 33 roadster with a hardtop.

The vintage race seat and the Kirkey race seat give you the most headroom but are narrower, less padded and are harder to get out of.

[RoadRacer]

I think there's room in the 33.. polite people would say I'm "wide" too :) Only 6' but I have 4-6" above my head, but I've made my own 'kirkey-style' seat as low as I want. Currently 250lbs, size 12 feet and they never get in each other's way ;)

[FF33rod]

The foot well in the '33 is not large. You need to plan carefully if you need a manual transmission and have large feet. You need to offset the pads on the peddles, you need to narrow the transmission tunnel, and you need to use narrow driving shoes - forget about sneakers with monstrous spongy soles.... None of these are difficult, just requires planning.

Steve

[cob427sc]

I have built, owned and driven roadsters, 33HR, coupe, 818S and GTM. At 6'-2", 240 lbs and 72 years all the cars take some understanding as to fit and driver comfort. I also wear size 11 shoes. Most comfortable was the GTM but even after several hours of driving, exiting the car was basically rolling out onto the street before standing up. Hardest to enter/exit for me was the coupe (early Gen 1) but maybe later generations are better. The roadsters are a little tight getting your legs scrunched up enough to clear the door jamb when exiting. The 33HR is the easiest to enter and exit (as long as you don't have a top on) and also has the most footwell area except for the GTM. The 818 is about the same as a roadster getting in and out but a removable steering wheel makes a huge difference. I'd also recommend going to Wareham and trying them out. Most models allow modification of the footwells slightly if you need toe room. With this all said, my newest project is a 59 Bugeye Sprite that I'm dropping an Oldsmobile 215 V8 into. I should set up a permanent schedule with my chiropractor!