Passenger roll bar delete, anyone done this?

lloyds1 · #1 (**permalink**) 10-05-2009, 07:30 PM

My SPF came with two roll bars and I would like to remove the passenger side because I don't like how it looks. Has anyone done this and what was your solution for filling the holes in the body? I was thinking of having some aluminum pieces fabricated to fill them. I would try and make them look cool or functional somehow. Any idea???

*13* · #2 (**permalink**) 10-05-2009, 07:42 PM

Glass them in & have the paint touched up. I can't think of anything that would cover them up nicely

rustyBob · #3 (**permalink**) 10-05-2009, 08:18 PM

I like the idea of putting a "CAP" over the holes that way later on down the road if you deciede to sell the next owner has the option of reinstalling the roll bar..........

RodgerH · #4 (**permalink**) 10-05-2009, 09:28 PM

You might want to rethink removing it. That rollbar just might save your passenger's life.(Assuming you make the rollbars truly functional by replacing the mounting rivets on the outside leg of the loop on both rollbars with bolts.)

Rodger

mickmate · #5 (**permalink**) 10-05-2009, 09:31 PM

Do a search on this someone came up with a really neat color coded caps for the roll bar holes. There is also a good thread on patching holes in fibreglass. Bevel the edges of the holes and layer away.

lloyds1 · #6 (**permalink**) 10-05-2009, 10:18 PM

thanks I will look for it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mickmate

Do a search on this someone came up with a really neat color coded caps for the roll bar holes. There is also a good thread on patching holes in fibreglass. Bevel the edges of the holes and layer away.

TButtrick · #7 (**permalink**) 10-06-2009, 07:24 AM

The safety nazis are gonna be all over your a$$ now... whoops, never mind.

I just capped mine off with polished and cut sheet aluminum and used the same holes as the trim rings.

elmariachi · #8 (**permalink**) 10-06-2009, 07:30 AM

You could just put three of these in the holes:

*13* · #9 (**permalink**) 10-06-2009, 07:38 AM

Exactly what I was thinking

Quote:

Originally Posted by TButtrick

The safety nazis are gonna be all over your a$$ now... whoops, never mind.

lloyds1 · #10 (**permalink**) 10-06-2009, 08:26 AM

do you have a picture?

Quote:

Originally Posted by TButtrick

The safety nazis are gonna be all over your a$$ now... whoops, never mind.

I just capped mine off with polished and cut sheet aluminum and used the same holes as the trim rings.

lloyds1 · #11 (**permalink**) 10-06-2009, 08:30 AM

I cant find that thread

Quote:

Originally Posted by mickmate

Do a search on this someone came up with a really neat color coded caps for the roll bar holes. There is also a good thread on patching holes in fibreglass. Bevel the edges of the holes and layer away.

TButtrick · #12 (**permalink**) 10-06-2009, 09:05 AM

hang on... I'll go snap one.

TButtrick · #13 (**permalink**) 10-06-2009, 09:13 AM

Double Venom · #14 (**permalink**) 10-06-2009, 11:02 AM

Just a thought.....how about a 4-point bar to match your holes? One race ready roll bar for both people.

DV
PS. what s shown is ready for chroming, powder coating, or painting.
After 'finishing' strongly recommend a functional roll-bar padding be installed.

lloyds1 · #15 (**permalink**) 10-06-2009, 02:41 PM

Thanks! That is pretty much what I was thinking. Are you going to paint them? Is that a second cobra in your garage??

Quote:

Originally Posted by TButtrick

TButtrick · #16 (**permalink**) 10-06-2009, 02:54 PM

I had no plans to paint them but now that you mention it, that might look pretty cool. I only take the other Cobra with rollbar out when I know I'm going to crash.

Buzz · #17 (**permalink**) 10-06-2009, 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RodgerH

You might want to rethink removing it. That rollbar just might save your passenger's life.(Assuming you make the rollbars truly functional by replacing the mounting rivets on the outside leg of the loop on both rollbars with bolts.)

Rodger

It also just might end your passenger's life. Roll bars in close proximity to the occupants' heads are a serious liability if you are not wearing a helmet. They are and always were intended for racing - which is why the SC and comp cars had only one for the driver, and the street cars came with none. Rollovers on the street are far less common than front and rear impacts that send driver and passenger heads rocking backward and forward. They became popular on Cobras after production had ceased and everybody wanted to emulate the SC look. If the owner/driver wants to accept the risk to his own head for the sake of a racecar look - fine - but why subject an innocent passenger with no head protection to the same danger?
If you are truly concerned for your passenger's safety, install a good set of head restraints (removable, of course, so as not to ruin "the look" when the car is parked.)

TButtrick · #18 (**permalink**) 10-07-2009, 03:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buzz

It also just might end your passenger's life. Roll bars in close proximity to the occupants' heads are a serious liability if you are not wearing a helmet. They are and always were intended for racing - which is why the SC and comp cars had only one for the driver, and the street cars came with none. Rollovers on the street are far less common than front and rear impacts that send driver and passenger heads rocking backward and forward. They became popular on Cobras after production had ceased and everybody wanted to emulate the SC look. If the owner/driver wants to accept the risk to his own head for the sake of a racecar look - fine - but why subject an innocent passenger with no head protection to the same danger?
If you are truly concerned for your passenger's safety, install a good set of head restraints (removable, of course, so as not to ruin "the look" when the car is parked.)

Good point. I would think that one would be MUCH more likely to be rear ended than to roll over one of these cars. I just don't get the logic sometimes. The intent was; Helmet + Roll bar = Track Safety. One without the other is useless unless you've padded your roll bar.

RodgerH · #19 (**permalink**) 10-07-2009, 07:06 AM

You guys have brought up some very good points.

The thought of unprotected heads whipping around in an accident and banging into the rollbars is not good. I have seen pictures of small padded attachments to the rollbars to cushion rearward head movement....not a bad idea.

Also, moving the shoulder belt attachment point up onto the rollbars is a good idea....although not as aesthetical. Most shoulder belts attach behind the seat which pulls down on the shoulders and compresses the spine....not a good thing.

I do worry about those of you without rollbars who use shoulder belts. If the car would ever roll, you have absolutely no protection. You couldn't even duck down into the car.

Rodger

TButtrick · #20 (**permalink**) 10-07-2009, 07:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RodgerH

Also, moving the shoulder belt attachment point up onto the rollbars is a good idea....although not as aesthetical. Most shoulder belts attach behind the seat which pulls down on the shoulders and compresses the spine....not a good thing. Rodger

I don't think anyone would tighten the belts so much that it would compress their spine but wouldn't the roll bar attachment allow more vertical slop if you rolled? I've often wondered why this is done at all. I'd rather be cinched down tight in the car in any type of accident but I do see your point regarding being able to duck.