How hard to move the bulk head back to expose roll bar legs

[Grubby]

On an early ERA how much work is involved with moving the bulk head behind the seats back and exposing the roll bar legs? It looks like the only real problem area is the frame cross member used to bolt the shoulder belts to.

I am just considering a winter project to make my old car look somewhat newer.

Thanks.
John

[1985 CCX]

G

I too have postulated this on my CCX. Problem with the CCX is the frame/swaybar as it is in the way. This may be the case with your early ERA as well. I would recomend looking to see if the frame will allow it first. If it will you will not have too much trouble as the cutting and metal work should be pretty straight forward. Especially as ERA now does this and must have the metal available. It would be a plug and chug at that point.....

I would suggest calling Bob.

My 0.02 cents

[Excaliber]

I would think the biggest issue would be clearance with the IRS unit, emergency brake cable, linkage and such. It's almost right up against the existing wall all ready. Interesting question, it would be good see some close up pics of how ERA did that on the later models.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by Excaliber

Interesting question, it would be good see some close up pics of how ERA did that on the later models.

Does this help? I thought I had a better shot of this area during the early build, but this is all I can find.

[strictlypersonl]

It's a PITA. There is a steel tube just to the rear of the bulkhead that must be moved about 3 inches back. The side structure may be changed too. In addition, the inner panel under the rear cowl has a flat area that sits on the tube and the side panels sit on the side structure. Those would have to be changed or replaced. Lots of very unpleasant fiberglass work.

The other possibility is to do what we do on the FIA: Make a crossbar that is intersected by tubes that the roll bar slides into. There would have to be an angle that projected back to pick up the top edge of the new bulkhead panel.

And possibly other things that I haven't thought of.

[ERA Chas]

Originally Posted by strictlypersonl

The other possibility is to do what we do on the FIA: Make a crossbar that is intersected by tubes that the roll bar slides into. There would have to be an angle that projected back to pick up the top edge of the new bulkhead panel.

Not to be another PITA, got a pic of that Robert?

[razerwire]

WHY? It still will be a ERA. Its great the way it is, I went to a lot of trouble to make my bennett car as close to csx as possible, smith gauges, real halibrand wheels-spinners, all real english handles not offshore stuff, real english lights, steering wheel . Then I came across a deal on csx car, which I now have also and I think to my self, that was a waste of money and time on Bennett car. I'm going to get Bennett car going again and I won't worry about pleasing anyone but me. Its a cobra also but it is not a Shelby car nor will it ever be.

[strictlypersonl]

Here's the crossbar on the FIA. Another problem is that the bar is going to hang below the cowl edge by a couple of inches in the center, even if you could turn the bar so that the vertical size is 1".