Safety: Cobra vs C2 Vette or other cars

[AdamIsAdam]

Here's the FFR frame. As I thought, side impact "protection." Take it for what it's worth of course.

[patrickt]

Uh, huh. If you get hit really hard in a Cobra, the best you can hope for is an open casket funeral.

[desgros@vtlink.]

Originally Posted by patrickt

Uh, huh. If you get hit really hard in a Cobra, the best you can hope for is an open casket funeral.

Good chance the casket would have to be closed. Not viewable.


John

ERA #3010 Slabside 289 SB BRG

[cycleguy55]

Originally Posted by patrickt

Uh, huh. If you get hit really hard in a Cobra, the best you can hope for is an open casket funeral.

Thanks for that cheery thought.

[twobjshelbys]

Originally Posted by patrickt

Uh, huh. If you get hit really hard in a Cobra, the best you can hope for is an open casket funeral.

Driver's side t-bone isn't going to work out too well, roll bar and seat belts won't help. The one thing that motorcycle drivers learn is defensive driving - everyone is out to kill you - and that applies to Cobras too.

[Buzz]

Originally Posted by cycleguy55

West Coast / Kellison cars have side impact protection. I believe Arntz / Butler do as well. Those with ladder frames? Not so much.

Most replicas have steel/metal reinforcement running from hinge to latch in between the inner and outer door skins and I have to chuckle a bit to myself when that is touted as an extra safety feature. The weak link is the flimsy door latch. Look at the picture and ask yourself what is stopping that steel reinforcement (along with the fiberglass skins) from crushing your ribcage when the little latch snaps like a twig in a side on impact collision.

Now, if the reinforcing bars butted up against a solid steel frame member to prevent intrusion into the cockpit, then they might offer at least a modicum of protection in a light side impact. But as they are, with only a flimsy little latch holding them in place, please don't take too much comfort in having them there.

[cycleguy55]

Originally Posted by Buzz

Most replicas have steel/metal reinforcement running from hinge to latch in between the inner and outer door skins and I have to chuckle a bit to myself when that is touted as an extra safety feature. The weak link is the flimsy door latch. Look at the picture and ask yourself what is stopping that steel reinforcement (along with the fiberglass skins) from crushing your ribcage when the little latch snaps like a twig in a side on impact collision.

Now, if the reinforcing bars butted up against a solid steel frame member to prevent intrusion into the cockpit, then they might offer at least a modicum of protection in a light side impact. But as they are, with only a flimsy little latch holding them in place, please don't take too much comfort in having them there.

I hadn't noticed the latch in that photo until you pointed it out. I can say that's definitely not the latch in my WCC. There's no exterior door handle on mine, and the latch bolted to the steel member certainly appears more robust than that photo. Would it meet current federal safety standards? No, but it's almost certainly stronger than that one.

Edit: I did a little research and discovered the latches on my WCC "Meets the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 206 for personnel restraint applications ONLY when: Safety latch is installed with Eberhard Part No. 206-15 striker (included) AND safety latch is in installed in a certified FMVSS 206 door system."

I have no way of knowing whether Kellison or West Coast ever subjected the "door system" to the requisite testing to be fully compliant with FMVSS 206, but i can assure you the latches are robust, and the strikers are bolted solidly to frame members. The latch mechanism in the door is fastened to the side impact bars.

[AdamIsAdam]

The bracing is under the door.

[Buzz]

That lower brace possibly helps with chassis stiffening, but as it sits well below the bumper height of just about every vehicle you'll be likely to encounter on public roads, it won't help your chances much if you get t-boned at an intersection. Cobras and safety don't fit well into the same sentence - it's the nature of the beast. 4-wheeled motorcycle is a good analogy. Neither will fare well in any type of accident, and both will burn your leg with hot exhaust pipes. Gotta love them though - just enjoy accordingly.

EDIT: RE: the original question; I've always been amused by the big deal we make about roll bars on our Cobras. Few or no other convertibles/roadsters had them until relatively recently and the only original Cobras that had them were intended to protect a HELMETED racing driver on the track. They were not deemed necessary on street driven cars, and in fact pose a very real threat to the noggins of un-helmeted drivers and passengers who are belted in upright with 5-point race style harnesses.

[DanEC]

Originally Posted by twobjshelbys

Driver's side t-bone isn't going to work out too well, roll bar and seat belts won't help. The one thing that motorcycle drivers learn is defensive driving - everyone is out to kill you - and that applies to Cobras too.

Yep - best policy with any older car lacking modern safety equipment and especially small, sports cars. I don't trust any other driver in eye sight of me when I'm out in one and I keep as much distance from other vehicles as I can.

[Ron61]

When I built the Cobra that I used to race I had billet steel plates molded into both doors that were the size of the door. I also had a 3" roll bar that went all the way across the car and was anchored in four places to the frame. But even with that, the windshield was still a very fragile and weak point so I figured that if I ever rolled the car that would be the first part to go. Nothing can make any car completely safe and Cobras are near if not at the bottom of the list.
I have a Daytona Coupe now with a full and braced roll cage which met the track standards plus it is padded in all areas around the driving area.Ron

[t walgamuth]

How is getting in and out of the coupe?

[the shadow]

Originally Posted by patrickt

Uh, huh. If you get hit really hard in a Cobra, the best you can hope for is an open casket funeral.

thats putting it bluntly, maybe that should be on the bottom of the every cobra manufacturers brochures.


this aluminum one looks like it could be hammered and buffed out?

[the shadow]

another example, the roll bar is intact

[the shadow]

last one , hey this one has the widened foot box I've been looking for?

[AdamIsAdam]

On the third pic, I see the problem... the windshield is behind the driver! That explains a lot... NOT!

And yes, I noticed that the roll bar was intact as well. Excuse me while I go for a ride in my 2018 Shelby GT350 with airbags other boring stuff.

Seriously, I was thinking about getting a motorcycle again but given where I live and the congestion, I was thinking it's just too dangerous. But now that I realize the Cobra is just as dangerous, well, SCREW IT, BRING ON THE BIKE!

[ERA 626]

If you are afraid the car will get away from you, chances you are driving scared. This is not good... Please get some track time and if needed get some lessons. This will help... I agree with the others on defensive driving, leave your self an out at all times.

[Alfa02]

So we all agree, the one thing Cobras don't do well is Crash. As I've spent a good portion of my life on the road (My professional CDL record shows almost 2million miles). The one thing you always want to have is a "Way out" whether in our Cobras, or (what I drove) a 110 ft. long, 105,000 Lbs. double belly dumps. It's not just what's in front of you, but back & sides too. And for God's sakes, please don't pull out in front of a semi, we can't stop those beast's . I've always said, before anyone get their license, their should spent one day riding in a semi, to see what they can & can't do. My $.03 TommyRot.

[AdamIsAdam]

I got the car in the winter and drove it, hard summer tires and all. The traction was nonexistent. As the weather got warmer I found that the seven-year-old Kumho tires with only 1500 miles on them aren't much for traction. Between the lack of traction and the stories of cobra's getting away from their drivers very quickly has kept me respectful of the car.

That being said. I do have some track time with instructors and several different cars. And a lot of street time and a lot of cars over my 50+ years. I like to call it respect and not fear and maybe a little bit of maturity sprinkled in, although I don't tell anybody else about that part. LOL

I can't wait to get a new set of tires and feel the difference. I've been waiting for the whole pandemic thing to die down before doing that but I'm not sure I'm gonna wait much longer.

I will say this though, I can't imagine racing this car in the 60s. Those guys had balls.

[1795]

Adam,

There is nothing like racing a cobra. Even on the race track, you are the smallest car out there in your race group. I wonder if people can see me at times.

Jim