Anyone rolled a convertible?

[Dog Star]

I've driven convertibles for the last 17 years or so, and I have often wondered just how serious it would be if I somehow turned it over.

My Mercs have had hoops (or a rapidly deployed hoop in the case of my SL) but nothing on my MR2 or Spider.

Has anyone got away with rolling one? I suspect much pain.

[Quattromaster]

Passenger in a M3 that left the M11 approx 80mph, down the embankment , rolled once, coming to rest right way up.

Both walked away.

[Steffan]

Rolled several over the years. Are you looking for what it feels like. Terrifying!!

[Dog Star]

"Several"

I'm more thinking about the top of my head being scraped off!

[eldar]

Steffan said:

Rolled several over the years. Are you looking for what it feels like. Terrifying!!

Rolled several? Strange hobby

[anonymous-user]

Yep. It was bloody horrible. Both bloody and horrible. The rest of the time when it's not rolling makes up for it though.

[deltashad]

I wouldn't fancy any type of accident in my MGF....

[poing]

Just keep your arms inside if you can, otherwise you might need a new watch

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_lE88-6TmEA

[Steffan]

I rolled a Lotus Super Seven Big Valve Twin Cam I built as a kit car in 1863. An MGA Twin Cam in 1964 and several Sprites and Midgets in the next few years. When racing I rolled a number of cars primarily Minis. I have fractured my skull three times and broken my back twice. I am, as all my friends will testify, quite mad and I would not do it again. The consequences of the injuries have affected the rest of my life and I am very very lucky to be alive. I was unseasonably lucky in generally rolling in soft ground. You could easily kill yourself in one roll indeed friends of mine have tragically done so. But you did ask.

[surveyor]

poing said:

Just keep your arms inside if you can, otherwise you might need a new watch

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_lE88-6TmEA

I'm not keen on my head being used as a roll bar to be honest.

Sod that.

[HaloGen8]

Steffan said:

I rolled a Lotus Super Seven Big Valve Twin Cam I built as a kit car in 1863. An MGA Twin Cam in 1964 and several Sprites and Midgets in the next few years. When racing I rolled a number of cars primarily Minis. I have fractured my skull three times and broken my back twice. I am, as all my friends will testify, quite mad and I would not do it again. The consequences of the injuries have affected the rest of my life and I am very very lucky to be alive. I was unseasonably lucky in generally rolling in soft ground. You could easily kill yourself in one roll indeed friends of mine have tragically done so. But you did ask.

Built as a kit car in 1863?

[Petrolhead_Rich]

Steffan said:

Rolled several over the years. Are you looking for what it feels like. Terrifying!!

I'd be buying hard tops and fitting roll cages if i'd rolled "several"

[Cupramax]

Steffan said:

I rolled a Lotus Super Seven Big Valve Twin Cam I built as a kit car in 1863.

[deltashad]

poing said:

Just keep your arms inside if you can, otherwise you might need a new watch

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_lE88-6TmEA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MHxgt0-o2Ws

[zebra]

Haven't rolled one personally but a mate at university rolled one and died; protection failed and his head was crushed.

My neighbour rolled his cobra and is damned lucky to be alive; roll over protection stood up just fine but a fence post went through the door and skewered the seat just missing him.

[Fantuzzi]

Dog Star said:

I've driven convertibles for the last 17 years or so, and I have often wondered just how serious it would be if I somehow turned it over.

My Mercs have had hoops (or a rapidly deployed hoop in the case of my SL) but nothing on my MR2 or Spider.

Has anyone got away with rolling one? I suspect much pain.

I think the MR2 spyder has those pop up things to act as roll bars.

[Vince70]

A couple of old work colleges rolled a mk1 golf gti cabriolet after a night out at speed with the roof down.
Both walked away ok but the passenger lost his finger nails because as the car rolled he had his hands on the roll bar.
I imagine it wouldn't be too safe in my 21 year old audi cabriolet as there is only glass and a screen to protect you and also it's got some weight behind it.

[Steffan]

Fantuzzi said:

Dog Star said:

I've driven convertibles for the last 17 years or so, and I have often wondered just how serious it would be if I somehow turned it over.

My Mercs have had hoops (or a rapidly deployed hoop in the case of my SL) but nothing on my MR2 or Spider.

Has anyone got away with rolling one? I suspect much pain.

I think the MR2 spyder has those pop up things to act as roll bars.

Modern production softop cars have massive strength in the Windscreen + A Pillar assembly to resist collapse in rolling. The Mercs will certainly do this. Whether that would save you would depend on the actual roll and actual conditions. I would avoid the test personally. It hurts. A roll bar at the back would certainly improve the chances. A T top might also fare better. Never rolled one of those.

[Squiggs]

I could be mistaken .... but ..... don't the seats of most 'modern day' convertibles include a roll bar?
That's what I convinced myself when I had an Z3 (... before it aqua planned on lane 3 of a m-way, did a 540, up an embankment backwards and got written off. Luckily it never flipped!)

[Jasandjules]

Steffan said:

Never rolled one of those.

Don't feel too bad about it, your contribution to road safety thus far is appreciated