The downside of no rollbar, notwithstanding which is better between whiplash or concussion, is that if you are broadsided and rollover - chances are you will be dead with a broken neck.
Cobra Make, Engine: ERA #795 427 S/C completed Jan. '14 - '68 FE 427 side oiler
Posts: 1,059
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If you're broadsided hard enough to roll you over, chances are you're dead anyway. These are all good points, but there really isn't a good answer other than to recognize that these cars are, as has been said many times before, like motorcycles regarding safety (except they won't fall over).
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"Anyone who drives faster than you is a maniac and anyone who drives slower than you is an idiot" - George Carlin
VIR Cobra Flip - YouTube
Can happen anywhere, lose it in a curve, hit a pot hole or curb? This guy rolled his on nothing but smooth pavement. Owner/driver's decision, upside is that you'll only have about 1 sec to realize maybe it was the wrong one.
I bought ERA 714 which has 2 roll bars. I like the look of one better, but when I consider how much I care for my passengers (daughters and wife), my preference is two. Not to say that the outcome of a rolled accident would be different, but in my life I have rolled two vehicles in attempts to avoid more serious accidents. Rolls can happen quite easily. If you hardly ever have passengers, than perhaps one is for you, but if you have passengers and have decided to go with one, and you lose someone as a result of it, I would not want that on my consience.
If you hardly ever have passengers, than perhaps one is for you, but if you have passengers and have decided to go with one, and you lose someone as a result of it, I would not want that on my consience.
Large Arbor
Well, if someone was truly, I mean, REALLY concerned about safety, then I'd advise them to eschew driving the Cobra with any passengers, and choose one of the cars from the IIHS list of safest cars on the road today:
S*#%, after reading this thread I'm all depressed. Anyone wants to buy my car, with an unpadded, full-width, roll bar? WAIT! Don't answer that one, or I will not stop crying
S*#%, after reading this thread I'm all depressed. Anyone wants to buy my car, with an unpadded, full-width, roll bar? WAIT! Don't answer that one, or I will not stop crying
Cheers!
Hector
Occupant(s) are covered with the full width roll bar, padding is no more than a trip to the hardware store for some rubber foam pipe insulation - and it's already black no less
... as for the rest of this "period correct" hyperbole about 1 roll bar, I say YES! - but please raise your hand with car's parts list so we can see the rest of the components you have common with a 60's original
Cobra Make, Engine: KMP 427 S/C, Twin Paxton 511 FE
Posts: 2,594
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tutosnake
S*#%, after reading this thread I'm all depressed. Anyone wants to buy my car, with an unpadded, full-width, roll bar? WAIT! Don't answer that one, or I will not stop crying
What are you worried about, Hector?
That looks like a single roll bar to me!
Now, time to think about a dual rollbar on my "his and hers" chopper.
What are you worried about, Hector?
That looks like a single roll bar to me!
Now, time to think about a dual rollbar on my "his and hers" chopper.
I think Tuto should be more worried about those non-DOT Billboards. I hear they crack and magically deflate inside your garage.
Now, if you've got one or no roll bar AND Billboards, then you might as well smoke a couple packs of Marlboro's, eat fast food, pop a couple of extra strength Tylenol and drink a Fifth of whatever liquor floats your boat, each and every day.
What are you worried about, Hector?
That looks like a single roll bar to me!
Now, time to think about a dual rollbar on my "his and hers" chopper.
Yeaaahhh.... it IS a single roll bar, I forgot about that.
FWIW, I was strictly thinking about my passengers. Even if in actuality it serves no good purpose, I couldn't overlook that detail. PLUS, I, for one, think it looks better (god forbid, not original) than the single one! It also works to hang my detailing towels, instead of putting them down anywhere
I don't disagree with you one bit. I however don't see the Cobra as being the safety issue. Some cars carry similar risks as Cobras. I would not drive a Prius on a freeway, but thats just me. Yes, there are safer cars, but I would also venture that many of the accidents with Cobra's are caused by other drivers. I don't think there is a right or wrong answer here. Some places are a greater risk to drive than others. I don't like the look of the two bar. I wish I could simply remove it easily when I did not have passengers. This is all just my opinion.
My car had a single roll bar, but we had it changed.
I had a full length roll bar fabricated with a drop support attached to the frame on the passenger side of the transmission tunnel. Works for us and now the passenger has an Oh Sh*t handle! Would do the same again!!
That is an incredibly dangerous setup for driving without a helmet. I'd definitely consider wrapping the bars in at least some high density foam padding.
Honestly, I think the safety aspect of zero, one or two roll bars is obviously personal choice and one should always take a look at what we do on a daily basis (i.e., the other 99.99% of time) and figure out where we can reduce the risk to ourselves and family.
Cobra Make, Engine: ERA #732, 428FE (447 CID), TKO600, Solid Flat Tappet Cam, Tons of Aluminum
Posts: 22,025
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RodKnock
Honestly, I think the safety aspect of zero, one or two roll bars is obviously personal choice and one should always take a look at what we do on a daily basis (i.e., the other 99.99% of time) and figure out where we can reduce the risk to ourselves and family.
Well that was a pretty worthless post. Personally, I think you should continue to blow dry your hair while sitting in a bathtub full of water.
Well, coming from the King of Worthless Posts, I'll consider that an honor.
I'll take the opposite point of view and say that I hope you think very hard about the next time that traffic light turns yellow, and consider potentially racing across the intersection to beat the red light in order to get to the oyster bar quicker, to slow down and stop your car before making that "go route" to the other side of the road. Especially if you have passengers.
Cobra Make, Engine: ERA #732, 428FE (447 CID), TKO600, Solid Flat Tappet Cam, Tons of Aluminum
Posts: 22,025
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RodKnock
Because you know, that's pretty risky behavior.
Yes, all the while steering with my knees, as I text with one thumb, hold a pair of sharp scissors with the other, and throw empty beer cans out at the state trooper behind me....
Yes, all the while steering with my knees, as I text with one thumb, hold a pair of sharp scissors with the other, and throw empty beer cans out at the state trooper behind me....
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Personally, I think you should continue to blow dry your hair while sitting in a bathtub full of water.
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