Shark bar price increase?
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,951
Likes: 1
From: Shore NJ
Shark bar price increase?
Guys, I've been monitoring the site that sells the Shark bar for seat belts for the C3's. They have been advertising that the model for convertibles would be ready early in 2005 for $460. Now I see a price increase of $100. 
now to $560. Anyone know anything about that?, seems steep just for a bar with a few bolt plates welded on the ends and brackets for seat belts.....if I only had a welder.... 
now to $560. Anyone know anything about that?, seems steep just for a bar with a few bolt plates welded on the ends and brackets for seat belts.....if I only had a welder....
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 3,637
Likes: 27
From: Norwalk Ct
I'm making my own...material cost me $40 and I have a local welder who will weld it al up for $50.
If you can cut the pieces. look locally for a welder....you could do the same.
If you can cut the pieces. look locally for a welder....you could do the same.
Last edited by lvrpool32; Jan 20, 2005 at 07:12 PM.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 584
Likes: 0
From: Okemos MI
Originally Posted by lvrpool32
I'm making my own...material cost me $40 and I have a local welder who will weld it al up for $50.
If you can cut the pieces. look locally for a welder//..you could do the same.
If you can cut the pieces. look locally for a welder//..you could do the same.
Got Measurements????
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 5,269
Likes: 54
From: Orlando Florida
St. Jude Donor '05
I am also going to make my own, I already have most of the material... Lowe's has mild steel pipes in 1" and 1 1/4" diameter, pretty good wall thickness for about $10 (60" long)...
I'm planning on mounting two 1/4" thick plates in the location where the retractors normally bolt on - I'm going to measure the distance between these plates and cut the pipe accordingly... then weld it in place...
I also plan on adding two stiffeners like the shark bar has.... it will take me some time because I have too many other things to do right now but I will definately post photos and dimensions once I'm done.
I'm planning on mounting two 1/4" thick plates in the location where the retractors normally bolt on - I'm going to measure the distance between these plates and cut the pipe accordingly... then weld it in place...
I also plan on adding two stiffeners like the shark bar has.... it will take me some time because I have too many other things to do right now but I will definately post photos and dimensions once I'm done.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 26,555
Likes: 257
From: Florida
2021 C2 of the Year Finalist - Modified
C2 of the Year Finalist - Modified 2020
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St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
That is a real shame. I had been planning to buy one this summer, but at the rate the price is increasing it will be in the $2K range. 
Last edited by OHSIXX; Jan 20, 2005 at 08:26 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 5,269
Likes: 54
From: Orlando Florida
St. Jude Donor '05
Originally Posted by OHSIXX
That is a real shame. I had been planning to buy one this summer, but at the rate the price is increasing it will be in the 2K range.
Wait until mine is built..... if I'm happy with the result I can make more.....
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 5,269
Likes: 54
From: Orlando Florida
St. Jude Donor '05
Originally Posted by nostgry
Really- what the hell is a Shark Bar?
http://www.speeddirect.com/index.aspx?nodeid=54
The Shark Bar is a bolt-in harness bar for C3 Corvettes. There are no major modifications required to install this in your Corvette. Once installed you will be able to use 3 inch racing 5-point harness restraints. Constructed of cold rolled steel, the Shark Bar is designed to comply with NHRA belt angle specifications. The basic kit is for the driver harness mounts only but passenger mounts are also available - sold separately with or without fire extinguisher mounts. A variety of fire extinguishers are sold on our extinguisher page. All brackets and mounting bars are powder coated gloss black - however custom powder coated colors are available for an additional $50.00 (colors may not be an exact match to your application unless you have a name and part number for the powder you want.) Video camera mount also available; easily capture those high-speed autocross laps or drag runs! Will not fit convertibles.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 19,610
Likes: 778
From: Forked River NJ
Working in the steel industry I can get almost any type of tubing and plate I need. Just need some measurements and some welding. Looking to make my own with 73jst4fun also. That price is a little out of line.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 4,183
Likes: 1,178
From: out of nowhere
You guys must not have seen dtengle's harness bars. I don't think I've ever seen a higher quality, better looking peice. He also makes them with a fire extenguisher attachement that looks equally impressive. He has a 68' vert and the bar/hoops looked about as factory an install as it gets. Do yourselves a favor and look him up.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,951
Likes: 1
From: Shore NJ
Originally Posted by litevette
You guys must not have seen dtengle's harness bars. I don't think I've ever seen a higher quality, better looking peice. He also makes them with a fire extenguisher attachement that looks equally impressive. He has a 68' vert and the bar/hoops looked about as factory an install as it gets. Do yourselves a favor and look him up.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,435
Likes: 0
From: largo florida
Originally Posted by oregonsharkman
WOW thats not cool, considering that a 4 point C3 specific roll bar is only $129 bucks @ summit!!!!!!! I would rather have a roll bar in a crash
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,951
Likes: 1
From: Shore NJ
Originally Posted by RedBad1979
I am also going to make my own, I already have most of the material... Lowe's has mild steel pipes in 1" and 1 1/4" diameter, pretty good wall thickness for about $10 (60" long)...
I'm planning on mounting two 1/4" thick plates in the location where the retractors normally bolt on - I'm going to measure the distance between these plates and cut the pipe accordingly... then weld it in place...
I also plan on adding two stiffeners like the shark bar has.... it will take me some time because I have too many other things to do right now but I will definately post photos and dimensions once I'm done.
I'm planning on mounting two 1/4" thick plates in the location where the retractors normally bolt on - I'm going to measure the distance between these plates and cut the pipe accordingly... then weld it in place...
I also plan on adding two stiffeners like the shark bar has.... it will take me some time because I have too many other things to do right now but I will definately post photos and dimensions once I'm done.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,758
Likes: 4
From: Medford, Or
Originally Posted by 73jst4fun
Guys, I've been monitoring the site that sells the Shark bar for seat belts for the C3's. They have been advertising that the model for convertibles would be ready early in 2005 for $460. Now I see a price increase of $100. now to $560. Anyone know anything about that?, seems steep just for a bar with a few bolt plates welded on the ends and brackets for seat belts.....if I only had a welder....
now to $560. Anyone know anything about that?, seems steep just for a bar with a few bolt plates welded on the ends and brackets for seat belts.....if I only had a welder.... I think a little explanation about the price of the Shark Bar. The price for the Series 3 is for a complete package for the driver and passenger, where as the Series 1 & Series 2 models will equip the Driver only. The passenger side hook up is an addition cost. The price has not increased. The Shark Bar can be broken down to individual parts like many of the C4 & C5 Corvette harness bars. They can reach over $600 depending on the manufacturer. When manufacturing a small amount custom built harness bars it is very difficult to get discounts in Steel, water Jet machining, welding, bending, powder coating, labor and produce a quality product. www.speeddirect.com CF supporting vender.
Dan
Last edited by vettedan; Jan 21, 2005 at 09:49 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 5,269
Likes: 54
From: Orlando Florida
St. Jude Donor '05
Originally Posted by comp
i bet most of the cost is insurance
That's probably what it is, in case of an accident and a broken shark bar they would be liable.... My opinion: a 1.25" pipe that is welded between two brackets which are bolted to the frame where the original retractors were is pretty difficult to break..... If you are in an accident and there is an impact so huge that it breaks the welds or the bar then you're dead anyway, no matter what kind of harness bar you're using....
Anything is better than the 25 year old belts that I have now, I don't even have shoulder belts....
