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Roll bar dilemna

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simpzimmer

simpzimmer

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I've considered purchasing a roll bar from Victoria British for safety reasons. Do these things install fairly simple? do they restrict the space for the tops? Are they worth the money and do they look worth a dime?
 
I'm fairly opinionated on the subject so take that into consideration as you read this, but: The "rollbars" available thru most of the parts suppliers are more for show than substance (read their disclaimers), a way to free you of some apparently unneeded money. The ONLY way to have rollover protection is to build a racing spec. CAGE; Something that's welded into the chassis as an integral part of the car. The bars which "bolt right in" are more a "fashion statement" than a safety device. Besides, when was the last time you saw an LBC on it's lid? Ya gotta do something REALLY-REALLY baaad to get one wheels-up. I'm not sayin' it doesn't happen, BTW. Just ain't likely. Save yer sheckles for improved suspension bits or fresh paint. Take a GOOD defensive driving course. Anything but one of those "feel-good" rollover thingies. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/pukeface.gif

"Tha's me story an' I'm stickin' to it, guv."
 
Doc

One benefit to having one is that they do stiffen the car.
 
Depends on which one, how it's attached and to WHAT. They just don't help much in a flip and in some instances can actually exascerbate the damage. Welding one in, attached to the chassis may offer some protection but generally they're of less-than appropriate thickness and/or material. Great idea in principle, data shows a different tale.

Greg's stated reason for consideration was "safety". I'll not argue it'd give a *bit* more rigidity to the chassis.
 
I'm with Doc: Roll bars that bolt in & allow the top to be erected don't do much for safety or for chassis stiffness

...but they do give a false sense of security & rigidity
 
I agree with Doc and Tony /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/iagree.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/iagree.gif

I have an older bar(30 years) four point, welded into my BE and it has improved the chasis rigidety significantly.

Haven't tested it upside down yet, hehehe, but have scraped my head when I was younger. I honestly do not know how cheaply made the new ones are (mine is pretty solid).

As has been mentioned above they could be a hazard!
 
Yup, it is hard to put the wheels up, /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif but not impossible. One evening in 1966 I put the wheels on my 64 TR4 up, three times. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif
The TR did not have a roll bar but should have had wings!
I had absolutely no injuries and the windscreen was flat.
One of these days I will write the story, it was somewhat amazing. Anyway, I doubt an amateur roll bar would have been any help.
Oh, I drove the car back to the road and a body shop completely repaired it. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hammer.gif
 
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