Roll cage/roll bar??
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 2,914
Likes: 4
From: Westford MA
Roll cage/roll bar??
I posted this in another thread, but there was no response, so I thought I'd re-post it. I don't know enough about the certification of roll cages, so I thought I'd ask.
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Repost
I've always wished they could make a body stucture that could pass certification as having a roll cage. You know, so you could run faster at the track without having to install an aftermarket cage. How hard would it be for them to make it stronger, and then get it certified by some of the major organizations.
Scott
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Repost
I've always wished they could make a body stucture that could pass certification as having a roll cage. You know, so you could run faster at the track without having to install an aftermarket cage. How hard would it be for them to make it stronger, and then get it certified by some of the major organizations.
Scott
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1st Gear
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: Suwanee GA
Re: Roll cage/roll bar?? (LymanSS)
LymanSS,
I too have a similar interest as you. I'm in the market for a vette and trying to decide between the coupe styling and the vert / ZO6 (the Z06 actually has similar lines as the vert with the top up). I really would like to have the extra power of the Z06, but I personally put a higher priority on a "wind through the hair" option rather the Z06 option.
The vert is my top choice, but the one problem with it is that I cannot take it to most high-speed driving courses without a rollbar (I'm not talking a roll cage here, but a rollbar). I'm not ever planning to drive the car competitively, but would like to get some professional instruction that affords me the opportunity to push the car "closer" to its limits on a closed circuit than I ever could on the street.
Given this, and given the fact that a fast car without a roof affords its occupants less protection than a similarly equipped targa / coupe, it seems that there is at least some market attraction (there is at least one interested buyer) for an orderable option for a pop-up system like the Mercedes convertibles - a system, by the way, which meets the requirements of all of the high-speed driving courses that I have researched.
There are two extremes in the owners circle: those who put the cars in warehouses and never drive them, and those who actually enjoy the experience of driving a high-performance car. GM markets the car to the "drivers" rather than the "collectors" because it means repeat business. The target market, i.e., the "drivers", demand more and more "racing-type" features. We may never use them, but it sure is nice knowing that we could! It seems only logical then that a rollbar option would be available on the car.
And besides, how could an insurance company not give a vert driver some type of break on a car equipped with this option!
So who has Dave Hill's cell phone number?
I too have a similar interest as you. I'm in the market for a vette and trying to decide between the coupe styling and the vert / ZO6 (the Z06 actually has similar lines as the vert with the top up). I really would like to have the extra power of the Z06, but I personally put a higher priority on a "wind through the hair" option rather the Z06 option.
The vert is my top choice, but the one problem with it is that I cannot take it to most high-speed driving courses without a rollbar (I'm not talking a roll cage here, but a rollbar). I'm not ever planning to drive the car competitively, but would like to get some professional instruction that affords me the opportunity to push the car "closer" to its limits on a closed circuit than I ever could on the street.
Given this, and given the fact that a fast car without a roof affords its occupants less protection than a similarly equipped targa / coupe, it seems that there is at least some market attraction (there is at least one interested buyer) for an orderable option for a pop-up system like the Mercedes convertibles - a system, by the way, which meets the requirements of all of the high-speed driving courses that I have researched.
There are two extremes in the owners circle: those who put the cars in warehouses and never drive them, and those who actually enjoy the experience of driving a high-performance car. GM markets the car to the "drivers" rather than the "collectors" because it means repeat business. The target market, i.e., the "drivers", demand more and more "racing-type" features. We may never use them, but it sure is nice knowing that we could! It seems only logical then that a rollbar option would be available on the car.
And besides, how could an insurance company not give a vert driver some type of break on a car equipped with this option!
So who has Dave Hill's cell phone number?
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 43,370
Likes: 0
Re: Roll cage/roll bar?? (LymanSS)
Too late in the game to put in a rollbar. Though, I'm sure GM could get something together later on in C6 production. There are many convertibles that have had roll bars from the factory. Audi TT and '68-'70 Shelbys both come to mind. If they could make them look great, like the two mentioned, then I'm sure it's possible. My impression is that the C6 interior's inspiration comes from the Audi TT, so wouldn't those roll bars be part of it? Doubt it'll happen, but GM could possibly do it. :yesnod:
