I have a question about which chassis

[gbmetcalf]

Ok here goes.
I have a question that has been asked many times, but I have a
different reason for asking.

I have a 1937 Ford sedan with a 15" seat. My head is about a micron
below the roll cage when I'm strapped in the car. I know I need a
17" seat but the 15" came in the car. I will be getting a different
seat this winter.

My car is titled as a 1937 Chevy Coupe. I need a new chassis, mine
is used up. Should I change back to a Coupe or stay with the Sedan?

If I change back to the coupe I'm not sure if I'd fit. I'm 5'10"
225#.

Is there used bodies out there that are affordable? I'm running like
most of us on a single digit race budget. I'd like to trade my old
Sedan body for a Coupe body. Or should I bite the bullett and buy a
new body?

Brian

[justfreaky]

 Can you get by with a little body work and some new paint?
Just tryin' to save you a few bucks.
 Can you change the seat to say a 10 degree layback. Maybe would give you a bit more head room. Not 100 percent, but see what others have to say.

Steve

[gbmetcalf]

Thanks Steve!
There isn't anything I cannot repair in fiberglass....I used to race Formula V's in the SCCA (fiberglass/kevlar bodies) and a Pro-Truck at a local dirt track (fiberglass extended cab body) the latter I was fixing every week! I think I have fiberglass stuck everywhere!
I'll look into the 10 degree seat. I need to get my head away from the roll cage.

Brian

[justfreaky]

 It's gonna come down to getting your "seat" down as far as you can.    Sent you a PM.
I don't think changing body style will gain you any height. Chassis are basically the same.
 If you already know the body work end of things; save your money for more important stuff.

Steve

[elimn8u_43]

I have a 34 coupe with a 10 degree seat. I am 6'1" tall and 220lbs. I have lots of head room and leg room. The key is to get the seat as low and as far back as possible. A 37 coupe has the least amount of head room. The sedans and the 34 coupe are all close to the same.

Geoff

[justfreaky]

 Is there a rule about lowering the floor pan?

 I'm 5'9", 145 (ish), and have plenty of room.
I know that there are guys bigger than me, and they find a way to shoehorn themselves in there. 

 Steve

[speedyracing11]

Not to get off the subject how is cody's old car doing.We raced with him at chemung  a few years ago.They were the nicest friends at the track.
JIM

[thunder938]

Hello, I am 63 @250 and have a sedan with a 10degree seat.  I need the 10 deg. seat to have some leg room, but I am close on the head room.  A 20 deg seat will lower you in the car , but you may not have as much leg room.  As for sedans vs coupes, they are about the same with one exception the round top coupes like the 40 ford.  The round top coupes have alot less head room.


Dave, Northern Ohio Lengends 41

[gbmetcalf]

Jim;
Codys old car is doing fine....the chassis is a bit used up. and needs replacing but overall its fine.

Dave;
Thanks for the input I think I'm going to avoid the roundtop coupes.

Brian

[VMS Motorsports]

Yeah, I'd check into a 10 degree seat. I'm 6' 250 and fit nice and snug, but comfortable, in my 34 Ford coupe

[Tom Cole]

Brian,

I don't understand "used up."  Has it been in some wrecks that have tweaked it?  There are some guys on here that can square it back up.

My son's car is a 37 Chevy Sedan and he is 6'1" but only about 165.  I don't know how to tell if he has a 10° seat or what, but he has plenty of head room.  There's almost no cushion under his butt and the seat is on the floor.  I'm 5'10" and I need a phone book or two to see well.

Tom

[gbmetcalf]

All Used Up.....Well the car has been in a few wrecks, has tons of 1/2" holes drilled through the main frame tubing to mount the ballast, and the rear section I replaced this year. I was thinking maybe I could save it but I'd rather start fresh. A new chassis will allow me to have a more consistant setup, not adjusting the setup because of the tweeks in the chassis. I'll be going road racing in 2008 and I'd feel MUCH safer in a new chassis.

Brian