Grab bar
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 802
Likes: 1
Grab bar
When I first saw the grab bar, I thought it was really cool. Then I started noticing that other cars had them as well.
So, how much use is this grab bar? Is this something only the passenger would use? And at what point would a passenger actually use it when getting in and out. Would it be after they planted their but in the seat?
So, how much use is this grab bar? Is this something only the passenger would use? And at what point would a passenger actually use it when getting in and out. Would it be after they planted their but in the seat?
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 4,083
Likes: 190
From: IL / FL .
Although a corvette can be used as a nice luxury cruiser, the grab bar comes into play when a driver explores the C7's extreme cornering, acceleration, and braking ability. The passenger now has the ability to hold on tight with both hands 
Not every owner takes advantage of these capabilities but if they do the passenger certainly appreciates the grab bars.
.
Not every owner takes advantage of these capabilities but if they do the passenger certainly appreciates the grab bars.
.
Last edited by ZL-1; Jul 21, 2013 at 06:35 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 10,776
Likes: 11
You thought the grab bar was cool?
I guess I see it as something a passenger will either use or not use, depending on how the driver drives. It does have styling elements that you can either like or not but I don't see it as cool, as a lot of cars have them.
I guess I see it as something a passenger will either use or not use, depending on how the driver drives. It does have styling elements that you can either like or not but I don't see it as cool, as a lot of cars have them.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,055
Likes: 24
From: Cary NC
If it is actually meant to be functional in "highly spirited driving" do you think it can be reached while the passenger is securely strapped in with back firmly against the seat? Seems like a stretch (literally, not figuratively). But I haven't sat in the car, so I don't know the distances.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 4,083
Likes: 190
From: IL / FL .
If it is actually meant to be functional in "highly spirited driving" do you think it can be reached while the passenger is securely strapped in with back firmly against the seat? Seems like a stretch (literally, not figuratively). But I haven't sat in the car, so I don't know the distances.
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Drifting
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 1,888
Likes: 230
From: Livingston County, Michigan
The C5 grab bar/handle, mounted on the instrument panel, also acted as a "diverter" to insure that the passenger side air bag deploys in the intended path (doesn't go too high). The C5 used a mid mount air bag as opposed to the upper mount air bag that most GM vehicles used during the mid to late '90s. So there was an engineering purpose to the handle, as well as a styling purpose.
If you look at some of the other GM vehicles introduced during the late '90s/early 2000s, they used a brow as a diverter/styling feature, and the GMT 800 trucks/SUVs also had a handle that acted as a "diverter".
If you look at some of the other GM vehicles introduced during the late '90s/early 2000s, they used a brow as a diverter/styling feature, and the GMT 800 trucks/SUVs also had a handle that acted as a "diverter".