Do I *need* a rollbar?

[sspano01]

they say the metal roll bar is more dangerous on the street. they say that if you get tapped at red light, you can crack your head backwards into the bar.

but....if you every plan to do any HPDE/track days with your car, I would have slots put in it for both a passenger and drivers roll bar. you wouldnt be able to go out with an instructor without at least two roll bars.

and you should totally do a track day

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by sspano01

they say the metal roll bar is more dangerous on the street. they say that if you get tapped at red light, you can crack your head backwards into the bar.

Yep... clearly. Lippy, if you're not going to pad your roll bar then, from a risk stand point, you're better off leaving it off. Nothing ruins your day like blunt force trauma to the noggin.... And Cobra street flips are relatively rare.

[vatdevil]

Originally Posted by sspano01

they say the metal roll bar is more dangerous on the street. they say that if you get tapped at red light, you can crack your head backwards into the bar.

but....if you every plan to do any HPDE/track days with your car, I would have slots put in it for both a passenger and drivers roll bar. you wouldnt be able to go out with an instructor without at least two roll bars.

and you should totally do a track day

And without the roll bar your head snaps all the way back and hits the body. These cars are as safe as a bike. I would agree, at least cut the openings, so you can later add if you want.

[Dwight]

No roll bar. And I have one, wished I did not.

Dwight

[DanEC]

Lippy - I'm building an ERA street roadster - trying to stay fairly authentic or at least with period appearance. Some of the street cars - with day one or two mods - starting sporting some SC items like roll bars, SC wheels and hood scoops. Some were converted over to mostly SC appearance. So, a little mixing up of hood scoops, roll bars or exhaust systems is not too unusual. I would build it like you want it.

Undercar exhaust out the rear is do-able, although I just couldn't go with ERA's 2 inch system. Using their headers I've created a full 2-1/2 inch system out the rear - but it does require some compromises. I had to go with a 255/60-15 tire with 9-1/2 inch wheels on the rear and I stuck with the Jag rear suspension. Even then it's kind of tight. Another option was to have ERA widen the rear track slightly and run 7-1/2 wheels all the way around for some tailpipe clearance. They have done this on a few cars, including Peter's street roadster. This would actually look more stock especially now that they have reproduction Starburst wheels out again.

These are some more options and ideas to confuse you all the more.

Dan

[D-CEL]

Cobra Crash Willow Springs, Short version 130 mph - YouTube

Your call....

[flaflier]

Cobra Crash Willow Springs, Short version 130 mph - YouTube


If you watch the video in slo-mo, it appears that the roll bar never hits the ground...

[dallas_]

So the application in your case is don't go 130 at Willow Springs.