Roll bar/ cage design
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 2,812
Likes: 4
From: Gig Harbor Wa
Roll bar/ cage design
Has anyone used the design from the Chevy Power Book? It looks interesting and I like the way the main hoop leans back. I am considering installing a roll bar in my 1970 convertible and would probably use this design without the windshield bars and without the top.
What have you all done?
What have you all done?
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 11,872
Likes: 12
From: Waterloo ontario Canada
This is a shot around the back window
This shows the 2 side bars and the roof bar
Another shot of the roof bar
I kept everything tight. With the Tee tops on you can not tell there is a cage in the car.
This shows the 2 side bars and the roof bar
Another shot of the roof bar
I kept everything tight. With the Tee tops on you can not tell there is a cage in the car.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 1,542
Likes: 43
From: Plano TX
I went with an autopower bar made for racing. It fits tight in my 80 coupe and since mine has the later seat belt retractors that stick out far I had to cut the trim. The cutting of the trim was so it would fit back with the bar in place. All cuts are behind the bar and not visible. For a convertible this shouldn't be an issue.
Autopower was good to work with on the phone and I had them add a removable cross brace and a removable harness bar. The only issue was that the plates welded to the bottom of the tubes had to be bent further for the right frame curve and on my 80 the fuels line (emissions and fuel were near the weld area. Lots of sheet metal plates to deflect the heat along with water soaked rags just to be safe.
Dave
Autopower was good to work with on the phone and I had them add a removable cross brace and a removable harness bar. The only issue was that the plates welded to the bottom of the tubes had to be bent further for the right frame curve and on my 80 the fuels line (emissions and fuel were near the weld area. Lots of sheet metal plates to deflect the heat along with water soaked rags just to be safe.
Dave
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 16,945
Likes: 9
My main hoop is not leaning back, it's sitting up straight, the drawing is in a weird sort of perspective, the front bars running to the a pillar angle down, they don't run straight w/ the t top line. My cage is almost identical to that. I think Norval's cage gives more headroom and leg room, my bar under the t-top sits just above my ear but it's pretty much on the outsuide close to the door glass, I can't have mine like norval, up in the t-top because then I'd not be able to sit under it.
Hope you can see it here (door bars not installed yet)
Hope you can see it here (door bars not installed yet)
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 2,812
Likes: 4
From: Gig Harbor Wa
Thanks for the replies. I like them all. I am still thinking of leaning the main hoop back. Not really sure if I can get away with it whithout the roof bars. My idea is to use swingout door bars and include the bars running up to the front by the suspension. Basically the full cage without the roof and windshield bars. If it was a coupe I would in a heartbeat, but because it is a convertible, I am still wanting it to look good.
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Joined: Jul 2001
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Likes: 88
From: Lakeland, FL
Cruise-In IV-V-VI-VII-VIII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '03, '06, '17
I had my rollbar custom fabricated to allow the operation of the convertible top. My main hoop is leaning back... This is necessary to be able for the rear bars to clear the convertible top..
