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Thread: How much leg room does a Model A have???
          
   
   

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  1. #1
    madgrinder's Avatar
    madgrinder is offline CHR Member Visit my Photo Gallery
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    Car Year, Make, Model: '64 Galaxie 500XL
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    How much leg room does a Model A have???

     



    I want a Model-A-on-Deuce-rails for my next project, but I'm 6'5" tall and don't know if my legs will fit.

    I want a traditional roadster, not channeled, with a 'banger and a four speed.

    I beam drop axle, suicide front, split wishbone, finned drums, chopped deuce shell. Just a clean traditional rod.

    Since I'm using a 'banger, I won't need a recessed firewall and MAYBE that will give me leg room.

    Ideas?

    Opinions??
    Ensure that the path of least resistance is not you...

  2. #2
    madgrinder's Avatar
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    .

     



    Not a deuce, an "A" on deuce rails.

    Plus, more of your body is above that 'bucket than below. Most I've seen, you can see the drivers belt line above the door frames.

    especially channeled.
    Ensure that the path of least resistance is not you...

  3. #3
    Bob Parmenter's Avatar
    Bob Parmenter is offline CHR Member Visit my Photo Gallery
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    You're going to need a partial legectomy!

    Model A's are tight for anybody over 5' 9 or 10" depending on leg length. You can play little games with sinking the seat back under the tulip panel, but that will only gain you a couple inches or so. You might be able to tolerate it for short jaunts by frequently moving your butt and legs around, but it's a quite a bit of playin' around.
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  4. #4
    Don Meyer is offline Moderator Visit my Photo Gallery
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    One item not yet mentioned is to lengthen the frame. I have lengthened the frame 2 1/2" just behind the front x-member area.
    This will allow placement of the engine w/o moving the firewall back.........Don
    You have to then extend the hood the same amout.
    Last edited by Don Meyer; 11-02-2003 at 09:21 AM.
    Don Meyer, PhD-Mech Engr(48 GMC Trk/chopped/cab extended/caddy fins & a GM converted Rolls Royce Silver Shadow).

  5. #5
    sedan_dad is offline CHR Member Visit my Photo Gallery
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    Dude ,thats gonna be tight any way you look at it.A's are just little ass cars.You say your 6'5 but who wide are you?You might want to consider a Tudor or a Tub and put that seat any where you want.
    There's no such thing as a mistake,only more welding.

  6. #6
    Don Meyer is offline Moderator Visit my Photo Gallery
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    One more item comes to mind for another mod to enable a tall driver to be comfortable in an a Model A roadster or coupe......that is to lengthen the doors. 3" seems to be the most ofter extention length. To do this you have to lengthen the frame 3" in the door area.

    Frame mfgs can do the frame work for you.
    Don.......or you could go w/a mid 30's car but, even w/the mods the A would probably be cheaper to build & be different.
    Don Meyer, PhD-Mech Engr(48 GMC Trk/chopped/cab extended/caddy fins & a GM converted Rolls Royce Silver Shadow).

  7. #7
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    My son is around 6'5 and in my "27" his knee's is at his chin. My short ass legs fit but the beer-belly has the problem!
    Quote by ED ''Big Daddy" Roth, "Wot is ...is...what ain't...ain't...!"

  8. #8
    Outback Rodder is offline CHR Member Visit my Photo Gallery
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    I'm about 5'10 ish, and I own a Model A roadster pickup, with a banger. What I did was to extend the back of the cab about 2" which has given me stacks of leg room, I fiddled with the seat a bit and it's quite comfortable, and even if you were taller it'd be ok, but you just havta get out to stretch, maybe you could move the 'tulip' panel back an inch or two, to get you some more length....
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  9. #9
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    Ohhhhhhhhh man, model A's are good to run to the store in and into the next state (or province in my case!! but , ahem, step up to the plate and build a deuce! (Ohhh man, I KNOW I'm gonna wear it from A owners!!! Hey, I WAS one!) BIG diference! I'm 6'2" and had a 28 coupe and it was tight, and very uncomfortable on long trips.
    "nobody likes a top on a roadster, but it's nice to have one in the trunk when you need it!"See us at www.topsters.com

  10. #10
    Dave Severson is offline CHR Member/Contributor Visit my Photo Gallery
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    My roadster is a 28 on Deuce rails. It's tight for me, and I'm only 5' 9". I've been on a few trips with an A body, and they do get a little tight. My Deuce had more room, but the Merc looks like it will be capable of seating 4 very comfortably, and the trunk is big enough for all their luggage !!!!! Ran across a 46 Chebby cheap, anybody interested???
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  11. #11
    Don Meyer is offline Moderator Visit my Photo Gallery
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    After all the replies I think you are probably realalizing that not only will the modea A be too small for you, with your ht. you will look funny in it...JMO.../.Don
    Don Meyer, PhD-Mech Engr(48 GMC Trk/chopped/cab extended/caddy fins & a GM converted Rolls Royce Silver Shadow).

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