OK, well - Bill took some pictures of the roll bar for me. I specifically told them I wanted a Boxter style double hoop like this:

but with rounded tops. Instead, I get back the pics below. No one bothered to consult me first. I didn't ask for a staggerred setup. Bill felt this would be stronger, but I just don't know. Part of me likes it because it's custom & doesn't look like any other system I've seen, but part of me is mad because they didn't ask me first & it's not symetrical. I'm going to let the forum members help me decide. Do I waste another 2 weeks & have them do what I wanted, or does this look cool & unique? Either way - it's functional. They used 3/16" steel so it's strong. There will also be a straight bar & bars going back to the rear stanchions. There are also extra bars running under the body & welded to the frame. The deck lid & seats will cover most of this, but I just don't know about the staggered side. Thoughts?

 

I have loved everything that you have done. Its your money and your car, BUT this roll bar :U . Have them re-do it.

 

i personally like it its sets the car apart from others..not that it doesnt already for christmas sake but it looks good,but just another oppinion :cheers:

 

Thanks guys – any one else?

SprintCarDriver – That was pretty much my initial reaction. I mean, for what I have paid for this car, I don’t want the look of the bar ruining it.

pats406nitrovette – After looking at it a while it kind of grew on me & I felt the same way – that it was unique, but I just don’t know. My first rxn is usually the one that sticks with me.

Okay, we have one thumbs up, one thumbs down. Others? I am also thinking of going with these Recaros instead of the C-4 seats. I wanted to keep it in the “Vette” family, but the square headrest on those seats just doesn’t work.

 

Steve!

I'm kinda iffy about the rollbar too. The loop on the top is way too wide.. i like how that first picture they come to a point. Thumbs up on the seats though! They look really nice! Suede inserts? :cheers:

 

I dont know. Its on the edge.Its hard to tell what the finished product will look like.If he thinks this will be stronger I let it go.

 

Thanks Jen - I'm pretty sure I'm going to have them do it over. So you like the pointed ones? I don't really care just as long as they are symetrical. Those Recaros are the "Style" model. I don't know if they come with the inserts, but they do come with all leather, which is my game plan. The Speeds come with leather suede inserts which are also nice. Good grief, I'm never going to get to drive this thing...

 

Just to make your life harder... have you thought about these? I think they are very classy and sleek! I think they can custom upholster it in whatever you choose! :crazy: ;)




M Roadster:




Just noticed, the bars on the boxter as well as the M Roadster are tilted forward.. so it doesn't look like you have a lightpole coming out of your car. Adds dimension!


[Modified by Jenny, 10:50 PM 5/31/2002]

 

I would redo them probably if it was my car. While it does make it unique it leaves something to be desired. I would definitely go with something like in the picture you posted. Would you go with a chrome look or black?

 

Steve, you haven't settled for less than perfection yet. Why start now? It sounds like you hate it or you wouldn't be looking to us to validate it. Send it back. A few weeks is worth wating to get it right.

 

Oh, and another thing. I expect you to drive out to Gig Harbor to prove to me that it is streetable. (And I want a ride, too) :D

 

Two thumbs down :nono:

I don't think they look as refined as the rest of the car.

 

Wightnite – I trust Bill’s judgement, but after researching it more, that roll bar in the Z3 pic is every bit as strong. It goes all the way down to the frame like the one we have now, only it looks better. I was of the same belief you are when I talked to him – strength over beauty, but if I can have bother, that would be better.

Jen – Those Milanos are sweet. I sat in them over at Speedware. They ain’t cheap either. There’s more info on them here: http://speedwaremotorsports.com/seat/sparco.asp That price is per seat. Leather adds another $500 as well. They do look sweet, though. Down on the Recaro page at http://speedwaremotorsports.com/seat/recaro.asp you can see the sport with inserts – it is quite similar & can be done in any pattern. I think it may come down to one of those. I like these seats over the Styles because I can run the harness though them.

DngrZne – I agree. It’s just nice to hear everyone else agree. Nice sanity check. My plan was to powder coat them black. Chrome is nice – I would be happy with either, but I felt a nice gloss black would be more subtle.

70 LS1 – You know what? You hit the nail on the head. I think the fact that I’m even requesting validation should be proof enough. Some of the other stuff Bill has done – I looked at it & said YES!! Bill didn’t actually build this – we sent it out. There was no YES! coming out of my mouth when I saw it. That should have been enough. I guess the only reason I didn’t tell him to redo it right them was because I want the car done before next century. I would be more than happy to take you for a ride - after I prove to myself that it is streetable! :cheers:

Flareside – Agreed. Thanks Joe. I just sent them an email telling them we’re sending it back. This time I’m going to draw up some plans & bring them pictures. I thought I had done that before, but it was so long ago when we first started building this thing…


[Modified by Merlin522, 3:45 PM 5/31/2002]

 

Swimming against the tide here, but I like em. With the metal finished I think they might look pretty trick. The staggered look might just add a little more "protection" feeling, almost like a full cage the way they kind of hug the outside corners of the seating area. They do seem a little tall, but then I seem to recall seeing a pic of you, and you were a huge dude, like some throw back to the viking era, so maybe not.

-rottenrob :lol: :cheers:

 

How about these :D http://speedwaremotorsports.com/images/StartSport.jpg

I really like the recaro "Sport" in addition to the milano's. They look like they might be more roomy than the sparco's... I think the bar would look good chrome! If you're doing all black then it will really shine! :blueangel:

 

Rottenrob – Hey, nothing wrong with swimming against the tide. It takes more paddling & gets more respect from me. I don’t want “yes men”, but honest opinions, which you have provided – thank you! Honestly, I could certainly live with them & they are unique, but they just aren’t what I envisioned. This car is all about making what I had in my dreams & for $200,000 – the car should be exactly what I dreamed of. Funny you should call me a Viking. Back when I had long hair, people used to call me that. :cheers:

Jen – Funny ha ha!! It’s odd that you posted those. When I first saw them, I did a double take. Definitely the coolest kiddie seats in the land! We’ll go sit in those seats & see what works best. Since you & I are both on opposite ends of the body size spectrum, it will be a good test. If we both fit in one of the sits, then it’s a winner. It’s a toss up between chrome & black. I figured black would be more durable as well. Powder coating is also easier than chrome. We’ll see. I have some time to decide on that.

 

Steve,

What happens with the two bars coming up from the rear? (2nd photo). Are there going to be additional supports running from the rear forward? That and a crossover pipe between the two bars at about shoulder height would really make that thing beefy.

With that stump puller under the hood I'd want as much support in a vert as possible. I'm in the minority, I could learn to like it. Also allows for you to fold the seat forward and access the rear a little easier.

Your car though. Do what makes you happy. :cheers:

 

Steve, IM jumping in here and I hope you never need to use them.I like them the way they are now. First they look manly they are stronger I would think and they look more like a race set up. there is plenty of chrome under the hood.I would keek them black. your car is like no other why settle for somthing that look stock.stick with the bad azz look.steve you know me this is from the hart don't take it any other way. The seat in your post I like it would like info on it I would like a set for my vette.

 

Well, I like them. First of all this ain't no Boxer. It isn't nearly as small or even similar to one. I think that it looks stronger and more funtional as is. The design you now have has got to have a better coverage in case of roll over and superior strength. The only small loop I think looks good is the one that comes up off of the seatbelt bar style of roll bar.

I also like them because they are definitly different.You have to realize that your car isn't even close to being asembled. If it's not imperitive it be done at this time, I would wait until I got the RECARRO's ( killer seats btw) and everything else finished. Then If I couldn't live with them I'd address it at that time. Besides the hard part of making the mounts and cutting the holes is already done. It wouldn't be hard at all to redo them at the last minute.

My buddy just finished a Cobra Kit car and used the slanted style loop on it. He only used one though. I thought it looked much better that the regular 180 loop you usually see. He sent his bars to Jet-Coat and had them coat the rollbar to match his sidepipes. Looked really good that way.

Oh yeah, If you take'm out I'll pay the freight to Tennessee for'um. I think they'd look good in my '80. IMHO I'd keep'em.

JIM :seeya

 

Steve - It took awhile looking at the pictures, but I don't think I could have designed them better myself, for funtionality. You'll have better access to the behind the seats area, plenty of room for a fire extinguisher, and just add a small cross bar and you're ready for a 5 point belt system. As wide as you are ( :D ) they just might save your arms in the event you ever do roll it (heaven forbid).

It may not be what you want, but it certainly does what you need.

Dave
edited - not sure it sounded the way I meant it. :confused:


[Modified by Rolling Thunder, 8:08 PM 5/31/2002]