removable roll bar - any ideas?

[350zwelgje]

Planning to install a roll bar in the wedge, but don't want it installed all the time as I hate the look of it.

It is a requirement for some track days I am planning to do in the future: convertibles are not allowed without it.
Only seen fixed installations until now.

Will do the installation myself and not to worried about the interior and hacking some polyester...., as have made a few changes such as holes in the boot to access the top of the shockabsorbers. Perhaps those come in handy for the roll bar as well
Thinking of making it a bolt in, no-welding installation. It is not for racing, no plans to go upside down, so should be ok.
Maximum an hour to put it in or take it out.

Any ideas or pointers?

Rob

[mk1fan]

I have a Rollcentre one on order at the moment for my S. As I understand it, the feet are welded in, the body made good and the bar then clamped onto the feet.

[350zwelgje]

Thank you for the tip.
Now considering to put fixed elements in and have the majority removable.
Sounds like that after installation it won't take a lot of time to remove and re-install.
Getting more positive about it by the hour, only to sort to either fabricate myself or get a rollcentre one to Belgium.

Rob

[adam quantrill]

The difficulty with doing it yourself might be convincing the track(s) that it's up to standard, whereas one would hope a commercial one would come with some paperwork.

On the other hand a tube is a tube, and if you have the right engineering skills I'm sure you can fabricate something strong, good looking, and easily removable.

[TVRleigh_BBWR]

if you have a tube that goes the area behind the seats that then goes down to the chassis in the 4 corners. you could then bolt an A-Frame area to this when you need the roll cage, so when not in use you would just have the tubing round the shelf you could always make a cover or re-carpet, also would stop your bottles of beer rolling off the shelf

[lancia4wd]

I would also question the strength of a roll bar that is removable and as someone else suugested the regulations around a removeable bar.

Regards

[adam quantrill]

Just because it's removable, it doesn't have to be weak. After all, the suspension is removable.

[mk1fan]

Indeed.

[350zwelgje]

Thanks for the input. Food for thought.

Agree, better to have a certificate to go with it to limit hassle etc to a minimum.
Perhaps I can make the fixing to the chassis a bolt on version, probably more 'allowed' as many roll cages can be bolted/not welded in conventional cars.
Probably would take longer to bolt in and take out, but 3-5 times per year, that wouldn't be too bad.

As mentioned before it is not for racing, merely to be allowed to 'potter' around during track days.
Example Spa: full metal roof (standard road going car, standard road tyres - no slicks etc allowed, must be road legal and have MOT..) is ok.
So it just needs to be as 'strong' as a metal car without a roll bar. Wouldn't want to roll in that either as the support of it depends on how it is rolled!

Think in general to have a decent working roll bar in a wedge is not simple, as it also uses the outriggers for support, which are not strong at all. perhaps I need a certificate the wedge chassis is up to its task


Rob