Almost Fell Off The Wagon

[SN-60]

Took a nicely restored '55 Thunderbird, for sale locally, for a test drive this past weekend. I'm not
particularly tall (about 6'), but had a tough time getting My legs under that big, flat steering
wheel. Might have been the Studebaker Gods interceding. Passed on the car. Still, Wife wants
a convertible. Sure wish Studebaker built a '55 President Speedster Convertible!!

[63 R2 Hawk]

There's a red 55 Pres convertible I think, (might be a "roadster", don't remember) running around the PNW, I've seen it at car shows in southern WA & northern OR. Not sure what he did to the frame to keep it from dragging in the middle though....

[Bob Andrews]

had a tough time getting My legs under that big, flat steering
wheel.

Funny. I think that was the main thing that turned me off of my Avanti, and why I sold it. There were other aspects, but having to force my right leg under the wheel every time I got in and out got old fast

[clonelark]

At 5'5" i've never had that problem. but i have other problems.

[Blue 15G]

The '55 T-Birds didn't have vent doors, like Studebaker, in the front fenders, but the '56s did!

Dave Bonn
'54 Champion Starliner

[PackardV8]

I'd have to agree, the '55 Thunderbird is right behind the '53 Stude and '57 Corvette as the best looking US car of that era. Those two-seat T-birds I've looked at closely were way, way better built than the Studes. All the body seams were leaded smooth at the cowl and rocker panels. Couple that with the lift-off hard top and convertible top and it's hard to not want one.

jack vines

[showbizkid]

Yeah, I'm not a large guy but I've experienced the same thing in vintage T-Birds. Even in my '67 LeMans, the wheel is large enough to require some judicious lateral movement when entering the car

[studegary]

I like the looks of first series T-birds, but always feel claustrophobic in them. It may be the A-pillar location. I don't have the same feeling in other small cars, including a same vintage M-B 300SL roadster (gullwing).

[Johnnywiffer]

Plenty of room in my Chrysler T&C. Only prob--when my feet can reach the pedals, the lower part of the steering wheel wears a groove in my T-shirt.

John

[52-fan]

Plenty of room in my Chrysler T&C. Only prob--when my feet can reach the pedals, the lower part of the steering wheel wears a groove in my T-shirt.

John

Now that's funny.