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Thread: 33 Factory Five...getting in and out comfort..seat height??

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    33 Factory Five...getting in and out comfort..seat height??

    Wanting to purchase a 33 factory five. Can they be made to be comfortable? Being a Senior the knees don't work the best.

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    Administrator 65 Cobra Dude's Avatar
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    I would post your location to see if anyone local has one and then try it on for size.

    Henry

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    I tried on all the FFR vehicles prior to ordering my 33 Speedstar. The 33 is by far the easiest to get in and out of. Open the door, sit down on the seat and swing your legs in, very easy and no contortions required.

    The foot box is a little tight so if you are going with a manual you can get hung up in the pedals if you have big feet. I wear sneakers that do not have a flared sole and it works fine for me.

    I am 71, 6ft tall and weigh 205lbs. The Speedstar version of the 33 has a lower roof and can be limiting for head room. I have about 1 1/2" of head room.

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    Member Jim Stabe's Avatar
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    I was 75 when I was considering buying one. I’m 6’4” and also have bad knees. I found a local builder and it only took one attempt at getting in his car to convince me that it wasn’t going to work for me. No room for my feet, knees hit the steering wheel, and visibility with the hardtop was terrible. Just my $.02

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    I swapped the low back seats with a friend that had some nice Miata high back seats, they had slides on the bottom and the back was adjustable.
    And yes the foot box is small. If you use an auto tranny you’ll have more room.
    '33 Hotrod, #1047 Gen 1, delivered on 2/27/18, go cart on 9/24/18.
    LS3 w/Gearstar Level 3 4L65e Tranny, Yank converter, Lokar shifter, Electric PS, Vintage AC/Heat/Def, 8.8" 3.55
    TorqThrust II Wheels w/Toyo Proxy T1 Sport Tires, F 235/45ZR17 R 295/35ZR18
    Garage Built, Driveway Painted.

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    Quote Originally Posted by 65 Cobra Dude View Post
    I would post your location to see if anyone local has one and then try it on for size.

    Henry
    This. Try one on- everyone has a different view of “acceptable”. I find it easy - 6ft, 250lb, but you have to know how to do it (*** first) and you can build a car that is easy or hard. My doors open way wider than most and more foot room than most.
    James

    FFR33 #997 (Gen1 chassis, Gen2 body), license plate DRIVE IT says it all! build thread
    My build: 350SBC, TKO600, hardtop, no fenders/hood, 32 grill, 3 link, sway bars, 355/30r19
    Previous cars: GTD40, Cobra, tubeframe 55 Chevy, 66 Nova, 56 F100

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    I'm 6'3 195 lbs w/ a 34" inseam (think hardboiled egg on stilts LOL) and I fit the Speedstar fine.

    For my own build went auto trans and added a tilt steering column.

    I'm thinking that I will likely have to add a wedge of foam to the seat base cushion to support my thighs some.

    Earl
    1st Speedstar in Canada 31 March 2023.
    Built by me 302 engine, AOD trans, 3.55 IRS.

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    I consider myself an old fat man, 62 years old, 6' tall and 255lbs with wide shoulders. I have no issues getting in and out. I did not use the door stop bolts so my doors open wide. Once i'm in, Plenty of leg room. I'm running an auto trans so still have room for my size 11 wides. Visibility with the hardtop is a little limited but something you get used to and learn how to drive with it.

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    Quote Originally Posted by Just 1 More View Post
    I consider myself an old fat man, 62 years old, 6' tall and 255lbs with wide shoulders. I have no issues getting in and out. I did not use the door stop bolts so my doors open wide. Once i'm in, Plenty of leg room. I'm running an auto trans so still have room for my size 11 wides. Visibility with the hardtop is a little limited but something you get used to and learn how to drive with it.
    I live in Fort Wayne. Any information would be appreciated. I am 75 and getting in an out is important. If you are around when it gets warmer I would like to see your car.

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    Quote Originally Posted by biff0077 View Post
    I live in Fort Wayne. Any information would be appreciated. I am 75 and getting in an out is important. If you are around when it gets warmer I would like to see your car.
    You're more than welcome anytime. I'm north of Huntington. Hopefully i'll be driving it around town and to a few shows this year.
    470229902_10237464105644338_7922095605577969605_n.jpg

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    Quote Originally Posted by Dgc333 View Post
    I tried on all the FFR vehicles prior to ordering my 33 Speedstar. The 33 is by far the easiest to get in and out of. Open the door, sit down on the seat and swing your legs in, very easy and no contortions required.
    ............
    I did exactly the same thing in the showroom 6 months before I ordered my 33HR. Now I really love ALL the Factory five vehicles. And i have dropped over 55 lbs since that day back in 2023, but i'm still on the high side of 60. To me the low roofs that look so very cool are the hard parts for me. So My 33 will be a fair weather ONLY vehicle. NO TOP of any kind, No AC, No heater (ex heated seats).

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