This debate about roll bars and safety brings to mind an anecdote ...
I was driving down Interstate 476 towards Philadelphia about 2 months ago when
traffic came to a standstill - well, as it turns out, a dump truck fell over
on a car and crushed the car (pancake like and how it happened I cant' say) -
the traffic hold up was to clean up the mess. Truly an unfortunate day for
the driver of that car - Hmmm <yup that's sarcasm dripping from that Hmmm>- I
wonder if a roll bar would have helped.
My advise - don't decide on a roll bar for safety reasons - wear your seat
belt and drive within your envelope instead (with the top down when possible
of course). If a dump truck is going to fall over on you - well - I guess
that means your just going to have a bad day (with or without the roll
bar!!!!).
Safety Fast
Dr. Doug
69 C Rdst
69 C GT
69 B Rdst
71 B GT
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-mgs@autox.team.net On Behalf Of Kelvin Dodd
Sent: Tuesday, March 04, 1997 2:20 PM
To: mgs@autox.team.net
Subject: Re: LBC rollbars
Politely, Robert I have to disagree. The fine print is to limit
liability. The bars made by Autopower, Hobreht, etc are heavy duty and
when installed correctly will take a tremendous beating. "Show Bars"
are the thin wall pieces of chrome junk you see on pik-em ups.
I am however torn on their usefulness. I still don't know if I
am going to reinstall the bar in my V8 project. My V6 MGBGT has a
Hobrecht bar in it and I have been very happy with that. I mounted the
retractable seat belts on the bar and they work very well. Mounting the
belts on the bar makes lots of sense and is a selling point for keeping
the bar. For looks, I prefer the clean lines without the bar. As for
safety, MGB s do not tend to fall over, structurally they are pretty
damn tough too. If you see a deep ditch or a pik-em up landing on you
in your future by all means keep the bar. If not, keep it greasy side
down and be happy that you can recline your seat and not bonk your head.
Kelvin.
Robert Allen wrote:
>
> Too much of a generality. The bolt-on "roll bars" from the normal
> vendors are 70% looks and 30% protection and provide nil structural
> strength. The race car boys weld in mutli-point bars and then you get
> both protection and incresed structural integrity.
>
> If you read the fine print on the "roll bars" from the normal vendors,
> it state they aren't meant for protection.
>
> Bob Allen
>
> pbailey wrote:
> >
> > does putting in a roll bar add any structural stiffness to the car
> > possibly torsional stiffness?.....Pat
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