original roll bar vs. SPF roll bar

lloyds1 · #1 (**permalink**) 10-11-2009, 08:13 PM

Has anyone modified their SPF so that the roll bar more closely replicates the dimensions of the original? Why doesn't SPF do this from the factory?

RedBarchetta · #2 (**permalink**) 10-11-2009, 08:57 PM

Lloyd, my best guess would be how the rear of the frame is shaped. The down-tube that attaches to the SPF frame (as viewed from the trunk side) is at a steeper angle on the SPF. The CSX, Kirkham and ERA (and maybe a few others...Autocraft, B&B?) most closely resemble the down-tube rake of the originals, and it might have to do with how the frame is in the back.

If there was one visual pet peeve that I have on my SPF, it would be this one little detail. Then again, I'm usually the only one in any impromptu gathering that's aware of it.

Modifying is a lot of surgery and not worth the hassle. You could also end up weakening the structural integrity of the existing design if you elongated that down-tube and a different angle and still tried to tie it in at the frame points.

-Dean

patrickt · #3 (**permalink**) 10-12-2009, 04:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedBarchetta

If there was one visual pet peeve that I have on my SPF, it would be this one little detail. Then again, I'm usually the only one in any impromptu gathering that's aware of it.

Don't kid yourself Dean.

If you're a stickler for the right "look," the angle of the SPF roll bar is actually painful. I have no idea why they don't fix that -- after all, it's not like fixing the radiator angle or something.

lloyds1 · #4 (**permalink**) 10-12-2009, 05:25 AM

It is a pet peeve of mine too. Hmmmm, I bet a lot of other SPF owners have the same feeling.

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedBarchetta

Lloyd, my best guess would be how the rear of the frame is shaped. The down-tube that attaches to the SPF frame (as viewed from the trunk side) is at a steeper angle on the SPF. The CSX, Kirkham and ERA (and maybe a few others...Autocraft, B&B?) most closely resemble the down-tube rake of the originals, and it might have to do with how the frame is in the back.

If there was one visual pet peeve that I have on my SPF, it would be this one little detail. Then again, I'm usually the only one in any impromptu gathering that's aware of it.

Modifying is a lot of surgery and not worth the hassle. You could also end up weakening the structural integrity of the existing design if you elongated that down-tube and a different angle and still tried to tie it in at the frame points.

-Dean

1985 CCX · #5 (**permalink**) 10-12-2009, 05:53 AM

Nick makes accurate representations of the original.
http://www.actoncustom.com/Cobra_Parts.php
His bars were measured directly off a 3000 series comp car. He probably has an application for SPF.

patrickt · #6 (**permalink**) 10-12-2009, 07:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lloyds1

It is a pet peeve of mine too. Hmmmm, I bet a lot of other SPF owners have the same feeling.

Yes, it is a pervasive complaint -- but apparently those complaints fall on deaf ears.

Wasn't it Mr. Mustang that said "they seem to sell enough cars to suit themselves, so I guess they just don't give a shi* about making the car look right." I have to hand it to Bill, he's usually right on the money on most things Cobra related.

RedBarchetta · #7 (**permalink**) 10-12-2009, 07:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by patrickt

Yes, it is a pervasive complaint

Funny...I've been on this forum for nearly six years and this might be the second thread I've read on the topic. Have yet to see one person, ONE, point this out to me at all the various meets I have attended, too. Stop stirring the pot, Patrick....choose your battles, pal. It's a pet peeve and nothing more. The car is solid...that's all that matters to most. I'm sure if SPF thought it was a deal killer they would have modified theirs a long time ago.

patrickt · #8 (**permalink**) 10-12-2009, 07:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedBarchetta

Funny...I've been on this forum for nearly six years and this might be the second thread I've read on the topic. Have yet to see one person, ONE, point this out to me at all the various meets I have attended, too. Stop stirring the pot, Patrick....choose your battles, pal. It's a pet peeve and nothing more. The car is solid...that's all that matters to most.

It is so pervasive that SPF owners refer to it as the "the flaw of which we do not speak."

RedBarchetta · #9 (**permalink**) 10-12-2009, 07:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by patrickt

It is so pervasive that SPF owners refer to it as the "the flaw of which we do not speak."

Patrick, I'd bet the farm you are the only ERA owner on this forum that subscribes to all of the SPF threads.

Buzz · #10 (**permalink**) 10-12-2009, 07:38 AM

Under the foam rubber, Patrick's roll bars are twice as authentic as the bars on other ERA's, let alone all the other replicas out there.

patrickt · #11 (**permalink**) 10-12-2009, 07:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buzz

Under the foam rubber, Patrick's roll bars are twice as authentic as the bars on other ERA's, let alone all the other replicas out there.

Somewhere out there I just have to believe there's one original Cobra that had a passenger side roll bar. And I bet Ron knows about it, and just won't tell me. Yep, he just leaves me twisting in the wind....

computerworks · #12 (**permalink**) 10-12-2009, 07:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by patrickt

Somewhere out there I just have to believe there's one original Cobra that had a passenger side roll bar. And I bet Ron knows about it, and just won't tell me. Yep, he just leaves me twisting in the wind....

Not a single one.... you are an anti-originality replica trend setter.

Some full-width bars on originals...but...double hoops? ... sorry.

RodKnock · #13 (**permalink**) 10-12-2009, 09:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by patrickt

Yes, it is a pervasive complaint -- but apparently those complaints fall on deaf ears.

Wasn't it Mr. Mustang that said "they seem to sell enough cars to suit themselves, so I guess they just don't give a shi* about making the car look right." I have to hand it to Bill, he's usually right on the money on most things Cobra related.

Patrick keeps making up quotes from me, so in my mind, mrmustang may or may not have said this. Only mrmustang can confirm.

patrickt · #14 (**permalink**) 10-12-2009, 09:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RodKnock

... mrmustang may or may not have said this.

Well you're right about that.

patrickt · #15 (**permalink**) 10-12-2009, 09:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RodKnock

Patrick keeps making up quotes from me...

... and the made up ones are head and shoulders above the real ones, I might add.

eschaider · #16 (**permalink**) 10-12-2009, 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lloyds1

Has anyone modified their SPF so that the roll bar more closely replicates the dimensions of the original? Why doesn't SPF do this from the factory?

lloyds1

If you're doing it for appearance authenticity then I don't think so. Too much re engineering as Dean indicated.

If your doing it because your hairline is distressed that it is higher than your roll bar then Olthoff Racing makes a taller unit for the driver side (maybe passenger side also?) that will make your hairline feel much better.

Ed

Cashburn · #17 (**permalink**) 10-12-2009, 10:30 AM

I think it is quite obvious that if you rank these items as overly important to you, then you don't buy an SPF. Just like you don't buy other "makes" because they don't live up to some other standard you are holding so high.

Maybe you want glass fuses in the engine compartment? Well some brands give you that...

Patrick has a big head, that's why he needs to pad BOTH bars... on ALL sides

RodKnock · #18 (**permalink**) 10-12-2009, 10:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by patrickt

... and the made up ones are head and shoulders above the real ones, I might add.

You mean the "replica" quotes are better than the "real" quotes.

patrickt · #19 (**permalink**) 10-12-2009, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RodKnock

You mean the "replica" quotes are better than the "real" quotes.

Yes, all but that one, that is.

patrickt · #20 (**permalink**) 10-12-2009, 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cashburn

Maybe you want glass fuses in the engine compartment? Well some brands give you that...

You know, that was one small item that bugged me about my ERA, and I didn't like the cover that Bob P. offerred either, so last year a couple of us fabbed up the Lucas covers for them. I like them much better now with a cover on them.