Help with Unique roll bar mounting

rdorman · #1 (**permalink**) 09-18-2002, 12:16 PM

My Unique was built with out a roll bar and does not have the mounting in place. What I really need is some good pictures of the roll bar and mounts. Body off pictures would be ideal.
Thanks
Rick

Tony Ripepi · #2 (**permalink**) 09-18-2002, 12:31 PM

Hello Rick,

I welded the plates on to my Unique to mount the roll bar, I bought the plates and the roll bar from the Weavers the installation was very easy with the body off. They sent me the preformed steel and it was obvious where they went, the issue to look for is how high do you want the rollbar to be above your head when you are sitting in the car. If you adding them to an existing/running car this would problematical....more difficult......tougher. Look at my photo Gallery to see the car, the Unique is the silver one.

I don't know how you would go about the retrofit, I would ask the Weavers as a good first step, they must have faced this on their cars at some point in their history.

Tony R.

rdorman · #3 (**permalink**) 09-18-2002, 12:47 PM

How is the coupe coming???? DV will probably shoot me for asking the question.

I don't want to have to take off the body. I will check yours out and maybe give the Weavers a call. Still hoping that some one will have some pictures!

Thanks again

hound dog · #4 (**permalink**) 09-18-2002, 03:07 PM

rdorman,
Check my gallery and I think you'll find exactly what you're looking for.
h dog

66cobraboy · #5 (**permalink**) 09-18-2002, 07:43 PM

rdorman,

I took some pics. of my car in the garage. Hope it helps if not I can take some more for you.

Eric

See gallery

rdorman · #6 (**permalink**) 09-19-2002, 06:43 AM

That is exactly what I need! what do you think it would be like to mount those brackets with the body on? None of the points where the roll bar bolts into exist on my car.

I wonder how difficult it would be to R&R the body. I would be a great winter project and an oportunity to get in an really clean things up.

Thanks

Rick

Tony Ripepi · #7 (**permalink**) 09-19-2002, 11:21 AM

Hello Rick,

This club is great eh.....Great pictures that show the mounting points. I have RR the body during the fitting and building process. There are bolts at the front rear and in the cockpit, the RR of the winshield, gas cap, bumper mounts, wiring attachments to head lights etc. Then having some friend lured to your garage with beer and barbeque to help with the heavy lifting.

Having some sort of buck/stand to put the body on is also a good idea, I never wanted to just put the body on the garage floor for fear of warping/cracking etc.

I don't know if your car was a delux roller from Unique but, I would reach out to them and ask the question relevant to your car. They have always been supportive and offered sound advice.

Tony R.

excelguru · #8 (**permalink**) 09-19-2002, 01:06 PM

rdorman,

Check out my online gallery (see link in my signature line below). Maybe some of those chassis pics can help.

Keith

rdorman · #9 (**permalink**) 09-19-2002, 01:33 PM

Tony, This is a great forum. I began my learning here, bought my car here, met lots of friendly, helpful people here.

Keith, good shots. Car is looking great. I am sure you will be on the road soon. Mine is chassis 9007 built probably late 80's, early 90's. I noticed a few changes to the way the current model is layed out that I had not noticed before.

Specifically the way the rear suspension is located. In mine the links to the lower hub carrier are in the front as in the stock jaguar just done with spherical rod ends. On yours the links run to the rear center. Plus the plate that ties the rear of the lower 'control arms' is also tied back to the rear for support. Other items, I don't have a drive shaft loop, pretty easy to install though. Also, do they have some sort of safety strap on the IRS in case of broken U-joints like the stock jags had?

I also noticed that rear calipers are still the girlings. The four piston girling calipers on the the front of my car wiegh enough to anchor a small boat. But they are doing the job.

Better get back to work before I start asking you a couple of hundred questions! (I see a body off full blown go through in the future, maybe I will just wait and build the next one)

Thanks

Tony Ripepi · #10 (**permalink**) 09-19-2002, 02:46 PM

Rick,

I agree on the forum, my Unique is a 1986 vintage so it is similar to yours. The RR of the body to add the roll bar is a significant project and should not be entered into lightly.

. Take note from the oath of Hypocrates.....The first responsibility is to do no harm !!!!!!

Spoke to DV yesterday and the coupe is inventoried, the frame is in the shop, the body is still under going the sit in the hot Ohio sun FFR /get the air pockets out/curing process. There are significant changes happening with DV and his business for the positive. The coupe project will be the recipient of very positive impact from the changes. I will not steal thunder from the announcements coming out off London but, keep your Web based eyes open.

Needless to say I am pleased with the changes.

Tony R.

rdorman · #11 (**permalink**) 09-20-2002, 06:55 AM

Do you still have the MG front end? What suspension modifications have you done? What brake modification have you done?

DV hinted around about some deal with, I am not going to say the name! I don't think he would mind me giving up the fact that he is going to expand his oporations. He does a great job on his cars and is just one he!! of a guy. The Spring Fling definiatly helps his cause. His shop is only about an half an hour from my house.

Wouldn't it be great to fly out to the Fling next year to pick up your newly completed coupe????

Tony Ripepi · #12 (**permalink**) 09-20-2002, 09:46 AM

Hello Rick,

The front end on my Unique was the MG and I swapped it for a new A arm set up from the Weavers. It was further modified with NASCAR style A-arms to replce the upper arms. The new A-arms are fully adjustable and really improved the handling/turning radius/driveability. The brakes are the Wilwoods on the front and inboard Jag on the rear end.

As for the Coupe, it will be the first product of the new organization and I would like to have the car before next June. I have committed that the "Team Jenny" Coupe will at a minimum be at DVSFIII. We are just now putting the final touches on a contract that details the entire car and the components that will be used in the build. The most important detail is the quality of the work Ed and his team bring to the equation. The new organization allows Ed to focus his talents where they are best applied and sets up a viable business environment for growth and profitability for everybody at Elite. I feel I am the first beneficiary of the positive direction they have taken.

BTW I sold SPF#343 and kept my Unique, it is a better car.....

Tony R.