Superformance Passenger Side Chrome Roll Bar

[zzmac]

Does anyone have one of these (preferably new) lying around? If so, please PM me with a price.

Also, have these roll bars all been the same since day one? Or does it matter what serial# my car is?

Cheers.

[Cobra #42]

ZZ Someone recently posted about wanting to remove their SPF passenger roll bar, I think it was on SCOF board. Check there.

[Buzz]

The OP in this thread is wisely (IMO) considering the deletion of his Superformance passenger side roll bar. It may be available if you contact him.
Passenger roll bar delete, anyone done this?

[zzmac]

If I read many more of these safety issue threads, I'm going to be afraid to roll out of the driveway.

My plan (hopefully) is to also add headrests to the rollbars and then attach the seatbelts to the rollbars as well. I'm more concerned that in case of an accident, that "I" look original. I don't care if the car looks original but I think this can be done and still look pretty good. Other people have done this and it can look pretty good.

Done this way, does anyone think no passenger roll bar is safer??

[Buzz]

I'm no safety nut, otherwise I wouldn't be driving a Cobra to start with. I do think nerfing out and padding up a Cobra is a bit like putting outriggers and training wheels on a superbike though, but that's just me.

The headrests do make the roll bars much safer and if you like the look, it's a good way to go. One big issue with adding a roll bar to a finished car is getting the hole in the body for the support leg just right, but I imagine by now SPF would have a template available.

There was a heated debate a few years ago involving some very knowledgeable and respected forum heavyweights about the pros and cons of different seatbelt mounting points re: spinal compression, effectiveness in a rollover and "submarining".

The "safety threads" are interesting from an awareness perspective, but they don't necessarily mean you have to run out and make a bunch of changes to your car. It's all about acceptable risk and making informed choices, that's all.

[CCX 33239]

I especially liked your last paragraph Buzz....informed consent.

[209]

Submarining? I don't like the visions I'm seeing........... with double shoulder straps you can't get "down". Maybe I'll have to try. 209

[Buzz]

Originally Posted by 209

Submarining? I don't like the visions I'm seeing........... with double shoulder straps you can't get "down". Maybe I'll have to try. 209

Unless you're a girl, I really hope you don't mean what I hope you don't mean...

Essentially, our 5 point harnesses are less than effective in a frontal collision unless the crotch strap is attached. Supposedly, one's body tends to slide right out - or "submarine" - under the belts. Still, I seldom attach it myself unless I know I will be racing or driving faster than normal. A lot of the time on casual drives I just use the lap belt. My wife hooks up the full harness every time and gently berates me for not doing the same.

[209]

?????Ok, I see your view now, I think. But mine were sliding under the back end of a semi, that's all. You know, like sliding under the rig? Guess not. 209

[Buzz]

That's a relief. I think the "Maybe I'll have to try" part is what threw me off.

EDIT TO ADD: These discussions re extra roll bars, screening and padding, etc are not so much about safety as they are about attempting to re-engineer a Cobra into something different, more modern and civilized. The extra roll bar trend "to make the Cobra safer for the wife/girlfriend" really doesn't - unless you are prepared to wear helmets or go as far as some and add heavy padding or well built head restraints.

How many people buy a motorcycle and then walk around it scratching their chins and contemplating how they can modify it to make it shadier, drier, less breezy and safer in the event of an accident? Buffeting wind, sunburn, raindrops and collision vulnerability are part and parcel of owning and driving a spartan, lightweight, elemental performance machine.

If the inherent characteristics are intolerable, many other vehicles deliver the goods without the indiscretion, antisocial behavior, bad manners and lack of couth. Unfortunately, by nature they also cannot match the raw, visceral appeal and unapologetic magnificence of a Cobra.

[RedBarchetta]

Originally Posted by Buzz

That's a relief. I think the "Maybe I'll have to try" part is what threw me off.

EDIT TO ADD: These discussions re extra roll bars, screening and padding, etc are not so much about safety as they are about attempting to re-engineer a Cobra into something different, more modern and civilized. The extra roll bar trend "to make the Cobra safer for the wife/girlfriend" really doesn't - unless you are prepared to wear helmets or go as far as some and add heavy padding or well built head restraints.

How many people buy a motorcycle and then walk around it scratching their chins and contemplating how they can modify it to make it shadier, drier, less breezy and safer in the event of an accident? Buffeting wind, sunburn, raindrops and collision vulnerability are part and parcel of owning and driving a spartan, lightweight, elemental performance machine.

If the inherent characteristics are intolerable, many other vehicles deliver the goods without the indiscretion, antisocial behavior, bad manners and lack of couth. Unfortunately, by nature they also cannot match the raw, visceral appeal and unapologetic magnificence of a Cobra.

Well stated. I agree...If you have to modify it that much to satisfy certain conditions, you might as well go buy a Z06 or something else in the same classification. It's the stark rawness of a basic Cobra that makes it so attractive. Why pacify the beast?

-Dean

[zzmac]

You're sitting at a light, minding your own business, glowing in the raw starkness of your ride. A twit texting on their cellphone doesn't notice the light that just turned red and caves in the back of your beast sending your wife's head backwards at 50 miles an hour snapping her neck or crushing it into your rollbar. She never wakes up.

I'll vote for a removable, unobtrusive little headrest.

Originally Posted by RedBarchetta

Well stated. I agree...If you have to modify it that much to satisfy certain conditions, you might as well go buy a Z06 or something else in the same classification. It's the stark rawness of a basic Cobra that makes it so attractive. Why pacify the beast?

-Dean

[Buzz]

When you put it that way, it sure seems difficult to argue against. Consider though, that if the twit runs a light while twittering and T-bones you, the outcome would be equally grim. Not sure what could be tacked on to a Cobra to fix that issue. Some things just come with inherent risks that a person chooses to accept - or not.

Imagine what would happen if the twit runs into a couple on a motorcycle. Or walking on the sidewalk... You could make walking safer by going in your SUV instead...but then...it wouldn't be walking any more...

[RedBarchetta]

Originally Posted by zzmac

You're sitting at a light, minding your own business, glowing in the raw starkness of your ride. A twit texting on their cellphone doesn't notice the light that just turned red and caves in the back of your beast sending your wife's head backwards at 50 miles an hour snapping her neck or crushing it into your rollbar. She never wakes up.

Would never happen...she hates the car.

Hey, do what YOU have to do to feel good about the ride. It's your money.

[Got the Bug]

Originally Posted by RedBarchetta

Would never happen...she hates the car.

Hey, do what YOU have to do to feel good about the ride. It's your money.

Ditto Dean. My wife isn't crazy about the car either.

I agree, make the safety mods that you want and will give you confidence. The bottom line (in my view) is that with these cars, many of the mods that can be made give people a false sense of security. Hell, there's no guarantee that you're going to survive a wreck in a Lexus that has a dozen airbags.

God forbid an accident occurs, the point of impact and circumstances can never be anticipated.

[boblyon1]

I recently added a passenger side roll bar. The co-pilot insisted on it or would not accompany me on our curises and breakfasts. I shopped around and found three different prices for the same (SPF official) roll bar. I went with the Olthoffs as they were the least expensive, even though I think they purchased it direct from Hillbanks.. All totaled it cost about $1300 for the hardware and install.

One thing to watch for. The "color" of the chrome doesn't match the driver's roll bar. The newer one has a yellowish cast and the original more of a bluish cast. Most people can't see the difference until its pointed out.

[RalphSchmalph]

IMHO, roll bars are simply cosmetic. If you draw a straight line from the front of the hood back to the top of the roll bar you'll see that in a rollover you get zero protection. Only a full cage and a helmet will give you the safety I think you're looking for.

[Gunner]

David E. Davis Jr would likely disagree with you.

[WardL]

I'm a newbie and looking for a SPF. I wanted a passenger roll bar, not for safety or looks, but for a wind block for the wifey. Pretty silly! Anyway, my question is that if I install a passenger roll bar, will it depreciate the value of the car since it is not stock? What kinds of things do you NOT want to do to your SPF to cause the value to drop? Any thoughts on this matter would be appreciated.

[Cobra #42]

Second roll bar is stock if you order your SPF that way. Just my opinion, will not effect the value what so ever. In certain parts of the country you see a lot of Cobras with two hoops and other places one or none. It's your Cobra, please yourself not some other ahole. Thx, db 2723