Passenger Roll Bar -- Yes or No

[Cartman]

Is there a prevailing preference in the Backdraft community for or against a passenger roll bar?

[Tom Wells]

Cartman,

Spouse rides along = yes
Instructor rides along on track days = yes
Max safety on track days = yes
Esthetics and none of the above = no

Tom

[patrickt]

Personally, I have always liked the look (obviously) and I would do it even if there never was anyone in the passenger seat. Now if you want all the benefits that Tom put forth, but you don't like the look, then just have the roll bar set up fabbed so that it is removable and you place black rubber grommets in the holes. This works astonishingly well. You can do the same on your side, too, if you please. In fact, we just had a thread recently and I posted this:

[Cashburn]

As I am about to drill into a new car and install one now... I am against the installation of it. But I support it once it is installed

[fordracing65]

Yes I would get one, it is smart if you plan on driving alot or race at tracks where they require.

[CSX3183]

There are only 2 ways a Cobra should look, without a roll bar, or with just ONE behind the driver, anything else is not true to the car, the look and it's pedigree, besides, 2 roll bars just look plain stupid, as does one large one.

I mean if you think you're going to race like A.J. every week, balls to the wall, then get one large one, but don't bother to take it to a car show, unless you don't mind snickering.

[SpecOp1]

Well said Tom...great points exactly what I researched prior to selecting 2 bars....I do like the no roll bar look though...Bill

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by SpecOp1

Well said Tom...great points exactly what I researched prior to selecting 2 bars....I do like the no roll bar look though...Bill

I am almost willing to say that the "no roll bar" look is safer than having one. Over the last several years there have been multiple injuries from blunt force trauma to the head because of the roll bar (padded or not). Cobra flips on the street are pretty uncommon, although not unheard of.

[SpecOp1]

Funny thing about the car show thing...I get more positive comments than negative about the 2 bars..it is entirely a personal thing...as far as safety I would have to defer to people with more knowledge in that area,,,,great posts here ....Bill

[Bartruff1]

no...........

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by SpecOp1

...as far as safety I would have to defer to people with more knowledge in that area,,,,great posts here ....Bill

It's rarely discussed here; the threads die pretty quickly. But if you can easily touch your noggin to your roll bar then you're trading a whiplash injury for a blunt force trauma injury. Padding is better, but a lot of folks just don't like the look of it. The most recent whack to the head was Jason (D-CEL) who got hit from behind. I believe he said that he would now be crossing over to the padded side of the room. On the other hand, as dangerous as these cars are it probably doesn't even matter.

[era427tp]

Two roll bars is a guarnateed way to ugly up a Cobra.They weren't used in the 60's and they're not needed now.When I see a Cobra with 2 roll brs my first thought is......crummy,budget kit( FFR,Shell Valley,Cmc)

[avanti-176]

Originally Posted by era427tp

Two roll bars is a guarnateed way to ugly up a Cobra.They weren't used in the 60's and they're not needed now.When I see a Cobra with 2 roll brs my first thought is......crummy,budget kit( FFR,Shell Valley,Cmc)

Ironic, coming from an ERA guy directly below a picture of an ERA with 2 roll bars.

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by avanti-176

Ironic, coming from an ERA guy directly below a picture of an ERA with 2 roll bars.

Even more irony. Other than Jay, a BDR dealer, not one BDR owner has replied to the OP's question.

[flaflier]

Single or none.. My 2 cents..

[aa909]

Hey Jeff

Good to see you posting on here. To be honest I can't really comment on the safety aspect either way, I thought about getting two on mine but in the end decided the single roll bar was aesthetically more pleasing to my eye.

If you are considering resale down the road, then you may need to consider which setup is more "popular". I personally didn't base my purchase decision on whether or not a backdraft had 1 or 2 roll bars. actually before I bought mine I was really considering a used SPF which had 2 roll bars.

[patrickt]

Cartman, do not base your decision on what any of us tell you. But, if you plan on having anyone special in your passenger seat on a regular basis (wife, child, girlfriend, boyfriend, whathaveyou) then you might want to ask them "Would it be ok with you if I have a roll bar and you don't?" If they're not special, then no need to ask....

[RACER X #99]

Originally Posted by era427tp

Two roll bars is a guarnateed way to ugly up a Cobra.They weren't used in the 60's and they're not needed now.When I see a Cobra with 2 roll brs my first thought is......crummy,budget kit( FFR,Shell Valley,Cmc)

Oh you mean the "crummy kits" that car guys actually build themselves.

Shame on them they should be an elite owner like yourself.

BTW when you want a better replica step up to a Kirkham.

[fordracing65]

Dave (owner of Fac 5), years ago had a roll over in his cobra, he claims his driver side bar saved his life, they have lots of pics of the car, the whole thing is destroyed except the roll bar, seems safe for a passenger as well.

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by patrickt

Cartman, do not base your decision on what any of us tell you. But, if you plan on having anyone special in your passenger seat on a regular basis (wife, child, girlfriend, boyfriend, whathaveyou) then you might want to ask them "Would it be ok with you if I have a roll bar and you don't?" If they're not special, then no need to ask....

Pure unadulterated BS. If that were an actual line of rational thinking, then every single one of us should sell our cars and drive a Cadillac, Buick, Mercedes or BMW.

IMHO, we're all just fooling ourselves with any choice (none, one or two roll bars). G-d forbid, but the probabilities are side, front or rear impact, not rollovers.

IIHS Picks Safest 2011 Vehicles, VW Group, Kia-Hyundai Lead GM, Ford - WOT on Motor Trend