Show Me Your Padded Roll Bar or Headrests

[Silverback51]

Originally Posted by Jamo

I actually got in that thing.

It's amazing how much room they have once you are inside it.

A good friend of mine has two of the original Mini's, and one of the new ones. In fact, his Cooper S is the last one that was sold in Portland by Monte Shelton.

One of those cars that you do not see every day on the road. Kind of like a Cobra, but much slower.

[Mark Thompson]

I agree that there is a need for an appropriate headrest solution for these cars. I am playing with a solution now and will post some pictures when fabricated. Then if there is interest maybe the Kirkhams can add some Kirkham-quality variant of it to their accessory list.

Mark

[Buzz]

There are Cobra-style vintage buckets with removable headrests from a couple of different manufacturers. Alternatively, a robust bracket could be fabbed up and bolted to the back of existing seats that would allow a headrest to be used while driving, and removed when the car is parked. It's a potential solution that would improve occupant safety without permanently compromising the aesthetics of the car.

For me, I accept that driving a Cobra comes with inherent risks, just like many other recreational activities. Dumbing it down with all sorts of safety devices and add-ons dilutes and changes the experience into something else.

The only reason I chime in on these roll bar threads is because every time I see someone post that they added a second roll bar to make the car safer for their significant other, I see it as a poorly thought out solution - pushed by some manufacturers - that actually increases risk of head injury to the passenger in even a minor shunt.

If someone really wants to increase occupant safety at the expense of aesthetics (and there is nothing wrong with that choice), then add high back racing seats, removable head restraints on your existing seats, and/or wear crash helmets.

It is nothing short of irresponsible to schlep roll bars to unsuspecting customers as a "safety feature" on street driven Cobras. If the car is not being used on the track and a crash helmet is not being worn, the roll bar is a cosmetic add-on that poses an inherent threat to occupant safety.

Some people are real sensitive about this issue, but tough. Anyone who can sit in a Cobra can figure this out for themselves. I am not suggesting anyone change anything on their cars - just accept it for what it is, that's all.

I accept it - along with the other risks that come with driving a Cobra, and I make sure my passengers know what they are getting into as well. If I want to make sure my passengers are safe, I either drive very carefully or take them for a spin the SUV.

[1ntCobra]

Originally Posted by Buzz

a bunch of stuff deleted here ...

I accept it - along with the other risks that come with driving a Cobra, and I make sure my passengers know what they are getting into as well. If I want to make sure my passengers are safe, I either drive very carefully or take them for a spin the SUV.

From what I've heard, most teenager deaths in vehicle accidents these days are from SUV rollovers. So perhaps we are putting the rollbars in the wrong vehicles. And if you think letting your kid drive an SUV is the best way to keep them safe, well apparently that is probably a poor choice.

[Buzz]

So you've heard that more kids are hurt in SUV's than in Cobras and there's your proof that Cobras are safer? Ok then. I'm not sure that I can help you with that, but where in my post did you get the part about letting kids drive SUV's?

[1ntCobra]

Originally Posted by Buzz

So you've heard that more kids are hurt in SUV's than in Cobras and there's your proof that Cobras are safer? Ok then. I'm not sure that I can help you with that, but where in my post did you get the part about letting kids drive SUV's?

I never said Cobras are safer than SUVs.

You said something about making your passengers feel safe by driving them in your SUV.

I was just saying that SUVs are apparently not as safe as many people believe them to be. I based that on something I read about teen deaths in SUVs. I don't remember where I read that, but if you google for that sort of thing, you should come up with a bunch of opinions on whether or not SUVs are safe or not.

[zzmac]

If you have a custom headrest please post pics..... Thanks!

[Buzz]

Lol! Let's just agree that we are on entirely different wavelengths

.

Originally Posted by 1ntCobra

I never said Cobras are safer than SUVs.

You said something about making your passengers feel safe by driving them in your SUV.

I was just saying that SUVs are apparently not as safe as many people believe them to be. I based that on something I read about teen deaths in SUVs. I don't remember where I read that, but if you google for that sort of thing, you should come up with a bunch of opinions on whether or not SUVs are safe or not.