Rollover Protection
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 335
Likes: 40
From: Sacramento CA
Rollover Protection
Having very recently become the former owner of an 04 vert,. The wife and I have discussed whether we should replace our car with a vert or a coupe. Since we like the look and top down experience we are leaning heavily towards a new vert.
Since I suddenly find myself more concerned than in the past with rollover protection, does anyone know if Chevrolet has strengthened the windshield frame on the C7? Also, does Chevrolet intend to offer some rollover protection in the way of seat hoops similar to what Porsche? I think they would add the looks of the car and would be a great place to include a screen to minimize the wind buffeting when driving at freeway speeds.
Thanks for your input.
Since I suddenly find myself more concerned than in the past with rollover protection, does anyone know if Chevrolet has strengthened the windshield frame on the C7? Also, does Chevrolet intend to offer some rollover protection in the way of seat hoops similar to what Porsche? I think they would add the looks of the car and would be a great place to include a screen to minimize the wind buffeting when driving at freeway speeds.
Thanks for your input.
The Consigliere
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 23,003
Likes: 6,045
From: 2023 Z06 & 2010 ZR1
First question: I don't know.
Second question: No, at least not so far.
There was a thread in here not too long ago where this was discussed ad naseum, you might do a search. Should be pretty easy to find.
Second question: No, at least not so far.
There was a thread in here not too long ago where this was discussed ad naseum, you might do a search. Should be pretty easy to find.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 278
Likes: 0
From: NY
The Corvettes A-Pillar/Windshield frame IS it's roll bar - and meets all federal rollover standards without any additional hoops needed. Remember Corvettes are designed as convertibles form the start, which is not the case for all convertibles. Oddly Cadillac added these in the XLR, and I believe they are simply eye candy, or to give the impression of safety even if they are not needed. If you are still worried look at this pic and you won't be:
http://autoworld.wordpress.com/2008/...e-class-img_2/
Also, and this is just my personal opinion, if you manage to roll over a car with stability control, traction control, and having the lowest center of gravity of any production car in thew world..."you" would have to be driving well beyond any reasonable envelope.
http://autoworld.wordpress.com/2008/...e-class-img_2/
Also, and this is just my personal opinion, if you manage to roll over a car with stability control, traction control, and having the lowest center of gravity of any production car in thew world..."you" would have to be driving well beyond any reasonable envelope.
Last edited by LIVetteFan; Jul 30, 2013 at 05:00 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 46,295
Likes: 2,596
From: Northern, VA
St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"
I don't know for what year or generation the windshield surround got made to support the car, but the C6 and its forum on here, during its nine year model run had pics of rolled convertibles. The windshield surround held up in practically every incident. Now, being dumb and having your seat belt loose, or off won't help you survive but the car will from what I've seen.
As said above tho, there were very few rollovers that I've read about or seen.
And just as an aside for at least five of the nine years, people asked for, and companies tried to design a full rollbar that would not deactivate the top mechanism, restrict access/egress or ruin/remove the "waterfall," and be fully compliant with race sanctioning bodies---none were completely successful in accomplishing all the above.
As said above tho, there were very few rollovers that I've read about or seen.
And just as an aside for at least five of the nine years, people asked for, and companies tried to design a full rollbar that would not deactivate the top mechanism, restrict access/egress or ruin/remove the "waterfall," and be fully compliant with race sanctioning bodies---none were completely successful in accomplishing all the above.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 3,799
Likes: 0
From: GA (some days)
None of that helps when you run off the road (yes, you can run off the road while driving reasonably).
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,559
Likes: 4,501
From: North Dallas 40 TX
A very large boluder can fall off a cliff and crush you, even iff you have a great cage. heck a meteorite could stke the car or an asteroid could hit the earth.
Point is if you are driving reasonably the likelihood of you going off road and rolling is quite small. You are more likely to be crushed by that truck that caused you to leave the road.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 6,671
Likes: 4,144
2020 C8 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
The Corvettes A-Pillar/Windshield frame IS it's roll bar - and meets all federal rollover standards without any additional hoops needed. Remember Corvettes are designed as convertibles form the start, which is not the case for all convertibles. Oddly Cadillac added these in the XLR, and I believe they are simply eye candy, or to give the impression of safety even if they are not needed. If you are still worried look at this pic and you won't be:
http://autoworld.wordpress.com/2008/...e-class-img_2/
Also, and this is just my personal opinion, if you manage to roll over a car with stability control, traction control, and having the lowest center of gravity of any production car in thew world..."you" would have to be driving well beyond any reasonable envelope.
http://autoworld.wordpress.com/2008/...e-class-img_2/
Also, and this is just my personal opinion, if you manage to roll over a car with stability control, traction control, and having the lowest center of gravity of any production car in thew world..."you" would have to be driving well beyond any reasonable envelope.
Totally agree. There are regs for this kind of stuff.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 3,799
Likes: 0
From: GA (some days)
When departing the road on to a sloping surface, all of the electronic help in the world, as well as a low CG, may not prevent a rollover. Additionally, getting bumped by another vehicle can induce physics that a driver can't control regardless of what he is driving.
I saw a mid-engine sports car (low CG) go off the road while driving reasonably...he hit power steering fluid that had been dumped on the two lane mountain road. After spinning the car he went airborne briefly (no electronics or low CG help when airborne) until landing off the road on the steep wooded mountain down slope, were he rolled the car several times before finally hitting a large oak tree (he was not seriously injured).
I saw another car a few months back that got bumped by an 18-wheeler who came over into the car's lane on the Interstate; the car was about mid-way between the front and rear of the truck...nowhere to go. The car left the road and went into the soft dirt median which sloped away from the road. The slope angle and soft dirt rolled the car (no one killed).
Last edited by Notch; Jul 30, 2013 at 06:34 PM.
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Racer
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 433
Likes: 1
From: Montreal
Corvette is a pretty strong car, but there windshield frames don't inspire confidence to me.
If not mistaken I think the Corvettes windshield frames are aluminum compared to Boron Steel in other cars in its class.
If not mistaken I think the Corvettes windshield frames are aluminum compared to Boron Steel in other cars in its class.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,559
Likes: 4,501
From: North Dallas 40 TX
Yes, it is true.
When departing the road on to a sloping surface, all of the electronic help in the world, as well as a low CG, may not prevent a rollover. Additionally, getting bumped by another vehicle can induce physics that a driver can't control regardless of what he is driving.
I saw a mid-engine sports car (low CG) go off the road while driving reasonably...he hit power steering fluid that had been dumped on the two lane mountain road. After spinning the car he went airborne briefly (no electronics or low CG help when airborne) until landing off the road on the steep wooded mountain down slope, were he rolled the car several times before finally hitting a large oak tree (he was not seriously injured).
I saw another car a few months back that got bumped by an 18-wheeler who came over into the car's lane on the Interstate; the car was about mid-way between the front and rear of the truck...nowhere to go. The car left the road and went into the soft dirt median which sloped away from the road. The slope angle and soft dirt rolled the car (no one killed).
When departing the road on to a sloping surface, all of the electronic help in the world, as well as a low CG, may not prevent a rollover. Additionally, getting bumped by another vehicle can induce physics that a driver can't control regardless of what he is driving.
I saw a mid-engine sports car (low CG) go off the road while driving reasonably...he hit power steering fluid that had been dumped on the two lane mountain road. After spinning the car he went airborne briefly (no electronics or low CG help when airborne) until landing off the road on the steep wooded mountain down slope, were he rolled the car several times before finally hitting a large oak tree (he was not seriously injured).
I saw another car a few months back that got bumped by an 18-wheeler who came over into the car's lane on the Interstate; the car was about mid-way between the front and rear of the truck...nowhere to go. The car left the road and went into the soft dirt median which sloped away from the road. The slope angle and soft dirt rolled the car (no one killed).
Incidence of roll overs in Corvettes is lower than for SUVs. Lower center of gravity is one of the reasons.
Of course, a car can roll when in normal circumstances it would not. A car can also be struck by lightning with a clear sky above it.
I saw beautiful 1970 W30 Olds 442 convertible roll when it dropped a wheel off the road on the outside of a turn at relatively low speed. The edge of the wheel caught in the soft dirt, it dug in and just went over. The driver was fine and the windshield frame held.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 5,707
Likes: 4
From: Los Angeles
Just don't do that.
I agree you have to be doing something really stupid to roll a corvette. It's not beyond a possibility for it to happen but should all buyers of Corvettes have to pay for roll bars for the one chance in a million?
I agree you have to be doing something really stupid to roll a corvette. It's not beyond a possibility for it to happen but should all buyers of Corvettes have to pay for roll bars for the one chance in a million?
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 12,375
Likes: 406
From: Florida
I think the yellow car makes it pretty clear what the outcome will be if it rolls over, and I personally would rather have better chances than that. The A-pillar of the C7 looks almost identical in structure to the C6, so I don't see any better rollover protection here. I have the same concerns as the OP and the Coupe is a great solution. The top is out of mine most of the time.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 12,641
Likes: 464
From: Houston TX
Quite a few convertible cars have been equipped with factory roll-hoops for a good many years. The technology exists
and can be cost-effective. It's time this was a standard feature on the Corvette convertible, and would certainly integrate
well with the C7.
and can be cost-effective. It's time this was a standard feature on the Corvette convertible, and would certainly integrate
well with the C7.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 3,799
Likes: 0
From: GA (some days)
I guess you don't understand the meaning of the word "help". A car with a lower center of gravity is less prone to roll over than a similar car of the same track etc with a high center of gravity. It is pure physics. If you have proof that contravenes physics please present it.
There are plenty of off the road situations that present physics that are WAY beyond the reach of electronics and a low CG, exceeding the limits of the car by such a wide margin that CG doesn't matter a lick. It's a physics thing.
Read the quote I replied to again. The point I am making is that you can be driving reasonably and still find yourself off the road. Roll protection is not for everyday use; people obviously don't intentionally roll their cars. But accidents do happen, and there are plenty of accidents where the driver was behaving reasonably and found himself upside down because of something outside his control or because he made a mistake reacting to a pop-up situation on the road.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 5,328
Likes: 405
Racer
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 256
Likes: 0
wow... i would like to know the backstory on what it takes to flip a vehicle with such a low center of gravity, both accidents above seem on very level ground too.
Drifting
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 1,300
Likes: 39
From: White Oak NC
And how useful are roll hoops in the cars that have them? Will they really prop up an inverted vert, or are they feel-good cosmetic pieces likely to fold in a serious crash? If roll hoops were that great an idea for the Vette, they would have shown up decades ago.
I'm also guessing that the coupe's B-pillar, or whatever they call the arch behind the seats, is more for a place to mount the hatch hinges and less for rollover protection; that's what the windshield frame is for. In the nice picture above of the flattened yellow vert, would the end product have looked any different if it had started as a coupe?
I'm also guessing that the coupe's B-pillar, or whatever they call the arch behind the seats, is more for a place to mount the hatch hinges and less for rollover protection; that's what the windshield frame is for. In the nice picture above of the flattened yellow vert, would the end product have looked any different if it had started as a coupe?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 6,671
Likes: 4,144
2020 C8 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Or someone does something stupid to you. 99% of all roll overs never happen like they show in the movies where a car crashes and it flips over and over.
They happen from leaving the road and running into a ditch or obstruction on the side.
That can happen from sleeping or impaired judgement at the wheel, bad judgement of a corner, weather, or someone forcing you off the road in an accident.
Last edited by Sin City; Jul 31, 2013 at 02:41 AM.
