It's simple: You roll your car over - you die.

Now that I have your attention. The simple truth is that the windshield and convertible top frame offer no rollover protection whatsoever in our cars. Go take a quick look at yours - the windowshield frame is raked back at a 45 degree angle and flimsy as all get out! If you don't believe me go ahead and push a little on the top corner of the windshield - not too hard through - you'll crack your front window. The windshield would probably collapse under 250 lbs of load - much less 3500 lbs. Pancaked!! Flat! This issue has not been brought up on this forum before. I can count on one hand the number of C3 - verts running rollbars/ roll cages. The issue of rollbars/cages seems to be a sensitive one on this site. A recent thread discussing how to build a bolt-in cage got a bit heated and locked down by the moderators. Wow - no skin, no kill story, no vendor bashing - lock! I want to discuss some options/ solutions - this forum ought to be the place to do. Vendors, if you're listening - We have a need!!!!!

I've had my 73 convertible for 22 years and still love it!!! Truly great looks and performance. Timeless styling and attitude!!! It is driven as often as possible. I have had numerous "spirited driving" experiences with in this car and am now considering some very serious performance upgrades. But safety becomes more of a concern with every upgrade. I don't want to cut/chop the car up as it is very original/documented - I brought it from the original owner - not bubba'd at all with L-82, A/C, etc.... and I have limited my mods thus far to bolt-ons with all the original parts sitting in boxes in my basement. So......... what to do?

I've run through/researched the full gamut of options; starting with "ignorance is bliss" (for about 8 years), ignoring the problem (10 years), accepting the risk (2 years), bolt in rollbar (none out there), sell the car (No!), turn it into a "parade car" (No!), permanently install a hardtop (no open air and truly marginal protection), weld-in roll bar (few options - all conflict with convertible mechanism), to finally custom design/build. My thought was to design/weld in (or bolt in) a bar similar to the one in the blue/orange ZL-1 (I saw it at Carlise this summer).

Would appreciate any ideas and constructive input you have.
Thanks

 

ALL factory made convertibles have that miniscule risk associated with them, part of the game.....

buy the car, takes your chances.....like anything risk/reward....

GENE

 

Been there.

Most new convertibles do have rollover protection from the factory. Check out the BMWs, Volvos, Mercedes - they all have it. Even the new C6 convertible will pass rollover standards (with the top up). I like my C3 and want to do this upgrade. People here upgrade everything; engine performance, electronics, stereos, handling, A/C, etc.... Why not rollover protection? - I'm looking for better options.
Thanks

 

Well, like everything here, Norval has had his hands into it with his C3 project car, and recently there has been a thread by him about his latest winter project (he Canadian, so has lotsa winter time) so he doing a what seems a well thought out roll bar project, with body on the frame, and strong enough to take a toss over.....stay tuned, and search for the opening thread by him on the topic....

GENE

 

Not exactly....Pictured below is my brother (yellow jacket) looking over his 69 vert the morning after he put it upside down in a creek back in 74.




Don't take my post wrong.....If you want a rollbar in your vert, it's your choice

Bullshark

 

Gotta go sometime.

 

http://www.sirgalahad.org/tyler/misc/68_side.jpg
http://www.sirgalahad.org/tyler/misc/68Bud2.jpg

Top works. Bought the car with rollbar installed.

Tyler

 

I drive a 2001 Mitsubishi Spyder (convertable). ABS brakes, traction control, bumpers and sides reinforced to modern protection standards, dual air bags, etc...still - if I roll over I die. Only the most expensive convertables have roll over protection/built in roll bars.

Just the price of driving a convertable. Additionally don't forget you are driving a 30 year old car, plenty of ways to die in it besides just a rollover. I wouldn't sweat it.

 

That looks cool.. but I don't think that a 2-point rollbar will protect you.. 5 or 6 points are necessary to really add protection...
I'm having a 6-point NHRA and IHRA legal rollbar installed when I get my Ford 9 inch rear end..

 

Personally I'd rather go in a rollover accident in my 1971 convertible than just about any other way on earth. I do like roll bars though and it may be a project someday but is very low on my list.

 

McSpeeds (69myway) roll bar is The best I've ever seen!!!! Check out his websight for pics.
I'll do without myself.... I've ridden Motorcycles all my life, I feel quite safe in my C3 Convertible.

 

I believe you'll find this to happen with most older convertibles such as Camaro verts, older Mustang verts, etc. Part of owning and driving a convertible-just do your damndest to keep the right side up

 

I had given thought to adding a roll bar to mine, especially after looking at Chris McDonalds awesome vette. After I have finished with the look of my vette, I am glad I did not add a roll bar. I don't think it would have added anything to mine. I hope I am never driving foolish enough to wind up, upside down.

 

Chris's rollbar is only for show and to mount his harness. It doesn't add any protection... However - it looks way cool!!

 

Bullshark
So...... your brother has won the lotto how many times and fathered children by how many playmates? (just kidding) I don't begin to think I'll ever be that lucky. Cool photos though.

Tyler
Beautiful car!!!! Is that a 2 pt. or 4 pt.? Is it welded or bolted?

McSpeed's rollbar is very nice - the whole car is sweeeeeeet!! Gotta agree with GS C3 though.

Yeah - it would be cool way to go. I'm just not ready - got too much left to do. Appreciate the responses thus far - thanks!!!!

 

It has not rolled over in 33 years.

It is at the bottom of my list with no priority.

 

Wow, I wouldn't mind hearing the story on this car and the accident. He was pretty lucky to walk away from this one!

 

SpyderD, my daily driver is an 01 Mitsu Spyder GT as well...great car .

Before that I drove a Jeep Wrangler for 11 years and before that a Suzuki Samurai for five years...guess I like living on the edge, with four wheels anyway. After that Dateline or 20/20 report on Samurai's stability, people would ask me if I was afraid it would roll over...I'd just say it rolls over all the time, I just get it to flip all the way around instead of stopping shiny side down.

Truth be told, my wife's SUV (Toyota Sequoia) is probably the car we have that is most likely to roll. I often hit an on ramp faster than I should, forgetting which car I'm in...guess it offers the most protection though.

 

I Didn't know that.... Still looks pretty sturdy, It would have to help a little???

 

I don't think so but you can ask him... I looked at the way it is attached and I see no way that it would add any protection.. Just shoot him an e-mail and ask him...