Good Guys Car Show

[Johnny]

Well, just got back from the big car show out at the Texas Motor Speedway. Just before the storm coming in. Saw a Spirit '27 T. Looked GREAT! The owner was kind enough to let me sit in the T, or should I say try to sit in it. My right leg was hitting the shifter and I couldn't even touch the gas pedal. This really concerns me. I'm thinking, maybe I could raise the steering wheel higher than this car, and go with a column shifter. It was like trying to put both my feet in one shoe!! I'm sure I'll have to figure out some different seating too. His seat had me way too high and too forward. I've got some planning to do, and maybe I should lose about 100 lbs. too.

 

[Johnny]

What do you all think would help get more leg room??

Any and all suggestions will be appreciated.

Thanks

 

[mikesplumbing]

I'm certainly not an authority on this of course but I met a guy with a 23 T Bucket that lives close to me and he put his shifter on the left side of all places. It actually looked great, and he designed it so it came just over his shin area and was very thin and took up zero room. He is a great big fella and is real happy with it. I'm a rather big guy myself and when sitting in inside it had lots of room and the shifter became hidden but was right where you needed it to shift. Just a thought anyhow, I would be happy stop by and snap a few pictures of it if you think it would help you out.

Mike

 

[eafree]

Johnny, I saw one at the show that had the shifter mounted on the seat pedestal. It would give you all kinds of legroom. I actually kind of like the idea and may do it on my build.

Eric

 

[mikesplumbing]

So what your saying is the shifter was mounted on the verticle??? That sounds interesting.

Mike

 

[eafree]

Yes it was mounted on the vertical piece of the seat pedestal. The shift lever was probably only 4 inches long. The owner of the car was not around at the time to talk too. I was going to go back and talk to him, but the rain started to move in. I'm going to do some research and see if I can find this kind of setup. If I find anything I will let you know.

Eric

 

[eafree]

Forgot to add that only the shift lever was visible, everyhting else was hidden under the seat.

Eric

 

[Johnny]

Yeah, those are some pretty good ideas. The fella I talked to suggested a cable shifter, so ya could mount it anywhere you wanted to mount it.

 

[GT63]

Yeah, those are some pretty good ideas. The fella I talked to suggested a cable shifter, so ya could mount it anywhere you wanted to mount it.

If you want more leg room, you should look at the stretched bodies by CCR, Old Dog Street Rods, etc. Or you could cut and stretch a body your self.

 

[putz]

Tci has a new shift by wire set up no idea how much but got a sema best award.

 

[LarryH]

Anyone ever tried a push button shifter like the old Mopars used to have?

 

[pete rallis]

Johnny, it was my pleasure to let you "try on" the car.....Any car one buys always takes some thought on making it fit them. There are things I would change, but it just takes time and money..Spirit builds a great body, and Josh, BC and the guys will help you anyway they can...Just tell them your concerns..Thanks for the compliment..

 

[Johnny]

Well, I sure thank you for letting me sit in your beautiful T. It didn't fit me so well, but it was built for you and not me. I'll figure something out, that's for sure.

 

[blownt]

there is a guy not far from my house that has an aftermarket pushbutton shifter on his bucket. I believe he said it was from Moon.

Back when I was a kid my dad was a real Chrysler/Plymouth fan and we had several pushbutton Mopars. That would be a cool setup on a bucket or any streetrod.