Passenger Side Roll Hoop

[digginfool]

I've signed up for an HPDE with the understanding I would have to have a passenger side roll hoop. After looking at a few pics of cars with dual hoops and seeing the video of the Cobra at VIR flipping, I figured it wasn't such a bad idea. But, after looking at more pics and talking to some other owners and enthusiasts, I'm not so sure I want to do it. It seems there are quite a few people that think the second hoop ruins the looks and marketability of the car should you wish to sell it. The second hoop is required by the driving school to protect the instructor. Eventually, there would be no need for the second roll bar due to the fact the instructor would not be riding with me anymore. What are your thoughts on Cobras with dual hoops?

[YerDugliness]

IMHO, they would be a good idea for any street driven Cobra.

I have only one loop and worry that if there were some unfortunate incident, a passenger might well not be provided any protection at all. This might be a good reason to give consideration to dual hoops.

As for appearance, IMHO it doesn't hurt, doesn't help. If you've been here for long, you'll know there's an excellent possibility that others will have a different opinion.

You'd have to do at least some fiberglass/paint work if you chose to remove the second loop, perhaps some work with a cutting torch, too, depending on how the loop is mounted.

Good luck....it's a tough decision. Any chance you could take the driving course with a different vehicle to eliminate the issue?

Cheers from Dugly

[ERA Chas]

In a word-"don't".

Go to a real driving school, like Skip Barber and take the 3 day open wheel course to learn the skills-not a driving "experience". There are open track events that you can race the car afterwards with a single hoop and you'll be much better prepared as a driver.

[Dimis]

In a word "DO"

What's price do you put on your passenger's head?
Wife? mother? farther? Brother? Sister? co-pilot? or other?

At worst you may lose a few hundred at resale, just as a point of negotiation. Or it may take a little longer to move. It's not really deal breaking, compared to the neck breaking alternative.

Just my 2 cents, in the end its your call!


--
...Hmmm, I can smell it, Patrick is on his way.

Best wishes & play safe,

[Rickd]

I believe they are flat out ugly. It would be one thing for a car you are going to race - but realistically how are you going to use your cobra? I have a single roll bar for those few times I track the car. If ERA had been offering their slab side when I bought my FIA, I would have gone with a pure street slab side, sans roll bar. If you are going to race with a passenger .. then of course have the ugly double hoop installed. (my opinion).

[scaffold]

It might detract from the looks of a Cobra but that would be little consolation if a family member/friend got hurt/killed in an accident. I'm glad I have a passenger side roll bar and couldn't care less about the resale value of my Cobra because of the 2nd roll bar. To me, it's a matter of what's really important

[cobraman428]

Two roll bars seem to symetrically balance the car from a visual standpoint in my opinion. It is only fair that my passenger have the same protection I would. I dont care about what it does to value,...hell, a new buyer might want a dual roll bar and then try and match one in the future to the driver side, not likely to match. I dont care what people say, its mine, not for sale and I built it how I wanted it. The nice thing about cobras is, they are not all built the same !! Thats why I continue to love to see how others did theirs. Remember SAFETY comes first. Are two roll bars safer than one ? ...thats for others to prove. I sure do think so.

[mtpockets]

If I were the only one riding around in my Cobra I'd say stay with one. With two it gives the impression you care. Not sure my wife feels any more comfortable past 80 with or without one. I'm actually opting to take out the dual hoops for one wide, one piece CM bar. IMHO they're too short for track use.

[BBfangs]

I say it is worth it. Does it detract from resale...only to the person that doesn't care for it but for the ones that like it I would say it is a positive. You can be the best driver around but what about the other peson in the other car??? In the end though it is your decision. It's what you like and want. BTW, beautiful car mtpockets.

[fordracing65]

I know rollbars have saved a couple in the past, but a cobra is not nice, kinda like having airbags on a motorcycle, I wouldnt take loved ones on the track anyways at high speeds, just like I would'nt put my family on the back of a motorcycle, just my opinion.

[ZOERA-SC7XX]

If you know anything about roll bars, you know they are dangerous if they aren't padded and you don't wear a helmet (ex-wife was seriously injured twenty years ago after hitting her head on her unpadded Jeep roll bar). A passenger roll bar for street use is just absurd (even the driver side bar is dangerous without padding and helmet). I wouldn't want my passenger to whack their head on it in a sudden stop, rear ender or turn. Beside that, they just look dumb.

[Cobra446]

removed/ deleted

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by Dimis

--
...Hmmm, I can smell it, Patrick is on his way.

And even after I showered. I would venture to say more people have been injured by an unpadded rollbar than have been saved by one (or two).

[digginfool]

First, let me say what's with all the hate? I'm not adding the roll hoop because I want to take family/friends on the ride of their lives; I'm adding it because a) I'm attending an instructional driving event and b) it's required for the instructor that is required before I can drive solo. I'm not certain I will continue to track the car even though I live within 100 miles of three of the country's great tracks (Homestead, Palm Beach International and Sebring) so to add the bar for the sole purpose of doing something I may not stick with, and at the same time detracts from the value of the car in many people's opinion, makes for a difficult decision. The 'other driver' point is well taken but the biggest danger there is intrusion into the passenger compartment. The roll hoop is not going to help in that event. MT, thanks for posting the pics of your car. It's identical to mine (aside from the decals, which I like) and I like the symmetry of the other bar. I also love the polished wheels. I might have mine polished as well. BTW, how do you like the Eagle F1s on the track?

[Dimis]

Originally Posted by patrickt

And even after I showered. I would venture to say more people have been injured by an unpadded rollbar than have been saved by one (or two).

Digginfool - It seems that opinions on this are irrelevant if you are keen to undertake this course.
The alternative is to try as ERA Chas suggested, a different training course.

In which case we are discussing a problem that may not exist.

Either way, there's no hate here brother


Patrick - Why the guilty conscience? I didn't say it smelt bad

[digginfool]

Originally Posted by Cobra446

Two rollbars in a Cobra make it look like a Miata. Drive safe on the road the life you save may be someone else's.

Apparently you didn't like the 'jackass' comment either. You really shouldn't come on to a board and make your fifth post an insult. I appreciate you editing your post to be a little more civil.

[ERA Chas]

Originally Posted by Dimis

In which case we are discussing a problem that may not exist.

X 2. Fool- You asked for 'thoughts' about your topic. You have 52 posts here and the guys trying to help you have 1000's. You asked a question you apparently chose to ignore the answers to. Do what you want- your car, your neck, your cash.
I won't make the mistake of enlightenment to one of your questions again-maybe not the others either.

[vatdevil]

I installed a full race roll bar and high back seats. I'm sure some don't approve, but safety first for me. If you do get in a rollover, the standard SPF hoops are awful short. I also use 5 point harnesses.

[digginfool]

Originally Posted by ERA Chas

X 2. Fool- You asked for 'thoughts' about your topic. You have 52 posts here and the guys trying to help you have 1000's. You asked a question you apparently chose to ignore the answers to. Do what you want- your car, your neck, your cash.
I won't make the mistake of enlightenment to one of your questions again-maybe not the others either.

The 'hate' was in reference to cobra446's original post where he stated 'you shouldn't drive like a jackass with passengers in the car.' He changed it before I finished typing. In no way was I referring to anybody else. I do appreciate the comments made on this and all other threads I have started. I have PM'd you with this response as well.

[ZOERA-SC7XX]

Originally Posted by digginfool

Apparently you didn't like the 'jackass' comment either. You really shouldn't come on to a board and make your fifth post an insult. I appreciate you editing your post to be a little more civil.

You asked the original question!