Cobra roll bar safety

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by RodKnock

I wouldn't be too sure of that. Patrick's "condition" may have been caused by one too many raps to the head.

Now where did I put those golden gloves... can't remember, dang....

[computerworks]

c'mon guys... I am sure that the people who have subscribed to this thread are losing patience.

Stay on the topic

thanks

ron
ClubCobra Moderator

[Maricopa]

The trick is to make sure your head gets taken cleanly off. Who wants to survive with daine brammage?

[sdfletch]

Too little too late, Ron.

[COBRA427]

From day "1", I've NEVER EVER liked or felt safe in a stock Cobra seat. They have bare minimal lateral support, not good for the road course, and ZERO head support, very dangerous on rear impacts accidents. I guess it's just human nature, but I feel that most Cobra owners care more about their cars looking period correct, rather than how safe they are.

My 2 cents: if you are tracking your car, you should have more than a single hoop roll bar, fuel cell, high back seats, and a HANS device.

[N2VENOM]

Cobra427, I could not agree more......

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by COBRA427

My 2 cents: if you are tracking your car, you should have more than a single hoop roll bar, fuel cell, high back seats, and a HANS device.

I think if you're sporting dual roll bars you're entitled to say "Look Ma, No HANS."

[Excaliber]

The Classic Roadster seats are pretty darn good all around, they may be the best stock seats in the replica industry.

[Silverback51]

I don't care what you do to a Cobra, it's not a safe car.

[Wbulk]

Agreed, maybe one step safer than a motorcycle. This thread is timely as I have been working on my roll bar installation. It mounts to 4"x4" X1/4" plates on the main frame members but I decided to improve the install. I have those stub tubes but am going to add another .120 wall tube slid over those, welded to the frame again going up to the bottom ends of the bar to support it, so more than the bolts is supporting the bar under compression.
Wayne

[mickmate]

You guys are doing the right things and know what to look for. Lock em right into the main frame rails. I see plates and bolts up to the job but not the tubing if that's what is used to mount them.

[lloyds1]

I look at the safety factor as slightly better than riding my motorcycle. I think the key is always keeping that in mind and not allowing the seat belts and roll bar to give a false sense of security.

[Tom Wells]

Uh....

And guys, while you are enumerating safety equipment for track use, don't omit the

WRIST RESTRAINTS

I feel better now

Tom

[tcrist]

IMO, the Cobra is just as safe as any OEM built convertable car. Very few of them have any roll over protection. My girlfriend will not ride in my CR because it does not have a roll bar on the passenger side.

Just like when I rode motorcycles in my younger days. Single seat with a b!tch pad. Yes, thy were choppers. It's a win-win situation.

Terry

[Excaliber]

When I ran at the drag strip and dropped into the 11's they shut me down! Said come back with two things. One: Arm restraints. Two: Fire proof jacket. If I ran in the 10's the roll bar wouldn't pass inspection.

[Buzz]

Originally Posted by tcrist

IMO, the Cobra is just as safe as any OEM built convertable car. Very few of them have any roll over protection. My girlfriend will not ride in my CR because it does not have a roll bar on the passenger side.

Just like when I rode motorcycles in my younger days. Single seat with a b!tch pad. Yes, thy were choppers. It's a win-win situation.

Terry

Explain to her she'd actually be in more danger with a roll bar waiting to smack her in the unprotected head in the event of even a minor street accident. Ask her too - if you were driving a convertible 'Vette, would she still refuse to ride?

[Cobra Lite]

I believe you can make a Cobra reasonably safe for the driver.

All you need is a full roll cage with side impact bars, race seat with head restraint (side helmet wings also) HANS device, top of the line helmet, fire rated race suit, wrist (arm) restraints, fire system, fuel cell, and ONLY drive on a race track where people are not on their cell phone, drinking or eating, and everyone is paying attention to driving.

Other than that all you can do is drive as if you are invisible, and PAD that roll bar with the best high density (race approved) roll bar padding if you have one! Most of us do have them I know.

As for making one strong to protect you in a roll on a race track, it must be tied to a very strong part of the frame, must be braced, must be above the top of your helmet... in other words, it must meet strict race sanctioning bodies rules for roll bars. Otherwise it is really just for looks. The pictures posted here of various Cobras that have rolled, just imagine what the drivers head would look like if he was not wearing a helmet when he rolled over.

BTW if you have not as yet watched the "Texting while driving" PSA video made in England, WATCH IT! The recreation of an accident is very, very powerful. Ask yourself "how would I do if she had hit me in my car"? As you watch the violence of how the passengers are thrown around imagine not having air bags? What would my roll bar do to my head?

Don't fool yourself by thinking it could never happen to you...

Roll bars look great but driving is deadly, the most dangerous thing most of us will ever do. The danger usually comes from other people on the road who do not recognize that fact, and who don't enjoy driving, so they do as little of it as possible when behind the wheel of their car....

[patrickt]

Next time you sit in your Cobra try putting your head back and to the left. If you can easily touch your head to your roll bar (I can) then you absolutely, positively must pad it. You're an idiot if you don't.

[Dominik]

Many "contemporary" car use cosmetic rool bars, I'm afraid:
Mini, AUDI TT, MX5, ...

The Cobra's needs to be quite tall. Your head including helmet needs to be lower than a line drawn from top of roll bar to front fender. Sounds obvious, doesn't it?

Dom

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by Dominik

The Cobra's needs to be quite tall. Your head including helmet needs to be lower than a line drawn from top of roll bar to front fender. Sounds obvious, doesn't it?

Most of us can pass the broomstick test if we want to by scrunching down in the seat.