Roll bar??
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,113
Likes: 4
Roll bar??
Has anybody added a roll bar to their midyear convertible or coupe? I know this is considered a sin, but i just dont feel safe in this car anymore. If i can find a roll bar that will still allow me to use the hardtop then i might purchase one and add 4 point harnesses.
Thanks and please done flame me for asking-i am really just curious
Thanks and please done flame me for asking-i am really just curious
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 11,593
Likes: 173
From: Clayton NC
Why all of a sudden the aversion to old cars? They are all death traps especially Corvettes. No side beams for side impact lap belts... I'm sure you can add a roll bar and some of them have looked cool that I've seen. I'm just not sure you can add one and still retain the soft top.
Dave
Dave
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,973
Likes: 5
From: Valrico Florida
If racing rules are a consideration, you might want to check the minimum above the head distance and position of the cross bar that the shoulder harnesses mount to in the applicable rule book. Good luck.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 13,018
Likes: 2,262
From: Corsicana, Tx
2020 C2 of the Year - Modified Winner
2020 Corvette of the Year (performance mods)
C2 of Year Winner (performance mods) 2019
2017 C2 of Year Finalist
I had a custom one built for mine. No one makes one that allows the soft top to operate. I had it made from moly and it is a bolt in which makes it removable. I still had to notch the deck lid. We tried everyway we could think of not to do it....but finally gave in.
I also added removable swing out side bars. When all put together it really stiffens the car a lot.
When it was all done it was powdercoated to keep it shiny.
Plus I don't get thrown out of the tracks quite as often these days!
JIM
I also added removable swing out side bars. When all put together it really stiffens the car a lot.
When it was all done it was powdercoated to keep it shiny.
Plus I don't get thrown out of the tracks quite as often these days!
JIM
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 7,226
Likes: 399
From: Northern CA
Good Luck in your search.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 13,685
Likes: 61
If you don't need to pass tech inspection for racing (just want added safety for street use):
A CHROME rollbar, especially a narrow single hoop for driver's seat only, is a classy vintage touch. Looks better IMO with the C2's other trim than race-style flat black or padded vinyl.
A CHROME rollbar, especially a narrow single hoop for driver's seat only, is a classy vintage touch. Looks better IMO with the C2's other trim than race-style flat black or padded vinyl.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 7,032
Likes: 2
From: Newburgh NY
That's a good question and something I was thinking about. Would love to see pics of convertibles with a roll bar in them (with the top down).
I'd gladly do some welding and cutting if necessary if there was a decent looking setup. And of course if there was no problem with the top up and down.
I'd gladly do some welding and cutting if necessary if there was a decent looking setup. And of course if there was no problem with the top up and down.
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Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,113
Likes: 4
Im not sure why i am scared all of a sudden. I guess i got old, or i am getting there.
Anyway, i have a hardtop for the car now so i dont need the rollbar to be functional with the softop. A bolt in option would be nice. However, that would mean that the body would need to come back off. Im just thinking about it and i would love to see some pictures of coupes and coonvertibles with all types of roll bars.
Thanks
Anyway, i have a hardtop for the car now so i dont need the rollbar to be functional with the softop. A bolt in option would be nice. However, that would mean that the body would need to come back off. Im just thinking about it and i would love to see some pictures of coupes and coonvertibles with all types of roll bars.
Thanks
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 5,436
Likes: 1,253
From: Sarver Pa
2021 C1 of the Year Finalist - Modified
I bent one for my Coupe out of 1 5/8 DOM. When I stripped the old carpet out I found holes in the floor for one. The holes were patched with old shingles, so I decided to put a bar back in. I'll try to get ya a pic of it but the cars not finished yet.
Pops
Pops
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 8,226
Likes: 2
From: Lake Wylie SC
When I get around to lifting the body to do some frame upgrading I plan to add a roll bar and a good harness would then be a given. Although I like the harness for keeping me in the right place with stock seats adding the roll bar would be more for added stiffness and getting by the track inspectors then fears of ever needing it
Doug
Doug
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 9,556
Likes: 288
From: Granbury Texas
Of course I have a roll bar. Since you must have front to rear brace, I would recommend a full width bar with twin rear supports. that obviates the need for a front support which renders your passenger seat usless. I don't have a diagonal brace, but most race sanctioning organizations require one. It is good theory, but restricts access to your rear area.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 111
Likes: 0
From: St Louis MO
I had a custom one built for mine. No one makes one that allows the soft top to operate. I had it made from moly and it is a bolt in which makes it removable. I still had to notch the deck lid. We tried everyway we could think of not to do it....but finally gave in.
I also added removable swing out side bars. When all put together it really stiffens the car a lot.
When it was all done it was powdercoated to keep it shiny.
Plus I don't get thrown out of the tracks quite as often these days!
JIM
I also added removable swing out side bars. When all put together it really stiffens the car a lot.
When it was all done it was powdercoated to keep it shiny.
Plus I don't get thrown out of the tracks quite as often these days!
JIM
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 4,367
Likes: 59
From: FL
Has anybody added a roll bar to their midyear convertible or coupe? I know this is considered a sin, but i just dont feel safe in this car anymore. If i can find a roll bar that will still allow me to use the hardtop then i might purchase one and add 4 point harnesses.
Thanks and please done flame me for asking-i am really just curious
Thanks and please done flame me for asking-i am really just curious
In a wreck, your head will hit a 1.5 to 2.0 inch piece of pipe and you or your beneficiaries will regret that lack of padding for a long time.
A bare chrome bar may look cool, but so does play Russian roulette.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 4,367
Likes: 59
From: FL
Before you put the body on, weld that plate for the main hoop to the frame. Your bolts are in shear and could fail depending on how you go upside down.
Bolts are tension components, not shear. While odds are you'd still survive and the bolts don't fail, you can guarantee they don't if the plate is welded.
Same thing for the retaining bolt on the hoop. Be sure the hoop bottoms in the tube, and doesn't rest on the bolt.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 911
Likes: 8
Corvette = low center of gravity = hard to roll = unless you go off road - if you do, a single type roll bar won't do much good against soft ground, trees, or......cattle.
I hit 3 different cars, and spun 3 full revolutions, and somehow managed NOT to hit my head on my "roll" bar......that was probably my closest threat........for legal reasons I won't mention anything about the speed.
Not a scratch on me.
Racing belts kept me in the car.
Small fire extinquisher put out the fire.
Don't worry about it, unless it's a full cage, it ain't worth the trouble most likely............
I hit 3 different cars, and spun 3 full revolutions, and somehow managed NOT to hit my head on my "roll" bar......that was probably my closest threat........for legal reasons I won't mention anything about the speed.
Not a scratch on me.
Racing belts kept me in the car.
Small fire extinquisher put out the fire.
Don't worry about it, unless it's a full cage, it ain't worth the trouble most likely............
Last edited by FastEddy; Nov 14, 2008 at 09:54 PM. Reason: spelling
Pro
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 682
Likes: 0
From: Manteo NC
corvette = low center of gravity = hard to roll = unless you go off road - if you do, a single type roll bar won't do much good against soft ground, trees, or......cattle.
I hit 3 different cars, and spun 3 full revolutions, and somehow managed not to hit my head on my "roll" bar......that was probably my closest threat........for legal reasons i won't mention anything about the speed.
Not a scratch on me.
Racing belts kept me in the car.
Small fire extinquisher put out the fire.
Don't worry about it, unless it's a full cage, it ain't worth the trouble most likely............
I hit 3 different cars, and spun 3 full revolutions, and somehow managed not to hit my head on my "roll" bar......that was probably my closest threat........for legal reasons i won't mention anything about the speed.
Not a scratch on me.
Racing belts kept me in the car.
Small fire extinquisher put out the fire.
Don't worry about it, unless it's a full cage, it ain't worth the trouble most likely............
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 223
Likes: 1
From: Celina, TX
Before you put the body on, weld that plate for the main hoop to the frame. Your bolts are in shear and could fail depending on how you go upside down.
Bolts are tension components, not shear. While odds are you'd still survive and the bolts don't fail, you can guarantee they don't if the plate is welded.
Same thing for the retaining bolt on the hoop. Be sure the hoop bottoms in the tube, and doesn't rest on the bolt.
Bolts are tension components, not shear. While odds are you'd still survive and the bolts don't fail, you can guarantee they don't if the plate is welded.
Same thing for the retaining bolt on the hoop. Be sure the hoop bottoms in the tube, and doesn't rest on the bolt.
I welded all the plates prior to powder coating.
Cartoon Character
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,440
Likes: 0
From: Can't be more than 114... Arizona
Autopower makes a rollbar that bolts in to the car:
Corvette Convertible 63 - 83 71390 C,D,J,L 70390 C,D,G,J,L 70390C
I have used their stuff in at least 20 showroom stock racers over trhe years and they always fit and are really strong (ask me how I know..
)
Here is their web address:
http://www.autopowerindustries.com/
Corvette Convertible 63 - 83 71390 C,D,J,L 70390 C,D,G,J,L 70390C
I have used their stuff in at least 20 showroom stock racers over trhe years and they always fit and are really strong (ask me how I know..
)Here is their web address:
http://www.autopowerindustries.com/
