Roll Bars
Author
Discussion

Ford Prefect

Original Poster:

159 posts

285 months

Monday 15th April 2002
quotequote all
I am thinking about fitting a roll bar to my Chim 450 mainly from a safety point of view although I think it looks quite good as well.

Is this worth considering for a mainly public road usage car and does anyone have a view on the strength of the front windscreen surround and the hinged rear roof section supported by the two stays? Would these provide any protection in the event of a roll?

shpub

8,507 posts

288 months

Monday 15th April 2002
quotequote all
Might I suggest you look at the roll bar section at www.t-v-r-services.co.uk as there is a picture that will answer you question perfectly. You might want a sick bag with you though....

Steve

JonRB

78,200 posts

288 months

Monday 15th April 2002
quotequote all
Its funny how this topic comes up again and again. I was posting almost exactly the same question when I bought my Chimaera last year.

Do visit the link that Steve has provided. The Tower View roll bar (which is designed by Martin Short of Rollcentre) is probably the best on the market as it is built to competition standards.

The rear hoop and stays will provide precisely zero protection if you roll, and I believe the front winscreen might possibly support the weight of the car if you were to gently lower it to the ground with a crane (ie. very little protection).

I'm having the Tower View bar fitted as soon as I can afford it, incidentally.

JonRB

78,200 posts

288 months

Monday 15th April 2002
quotequote all

Ford Prefect

Original Poster:

159 posts

285 months

Monday 15th April 2002
quotequote all
Guys, many thanks for the info, I should have run a search before posting this new thread.....sorry!

JonRB

78,200 posts

288 months

Tuesday 16th April 2002
quotequote all
Not a problem - don't worry about it.

Regards
Jon

jellison

12,803 posts

293 months

Tuesday 16th April 2002
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I've got the Tower / Rollcentre bar - very nice FIA approved as well JonRB has seen it so knows about it.
Also now a bit Red Fire Extinguisher attahed to it.
Ha they are made of plastic - I had a 3000M with a bonnet fire and put it out very quickly with the on in that - worth considering - otherwise you could end up with a big bob of twisted metal and plastic - don't want to be a kill joy though. Cheers JonE

JonRB

78,200 posts

288 months

Tuesday 16th April 2002
quotequote all
I've thought of securely attaching a fire extinguisher to one of the uprights of a roll bar.

My only concern though is could it get ripped off in a crash and do either the driver or passenger an injury?

GreenV8s

30,926 posts

300 months

Tuesday 16th April 2002
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quote:

My only concern though is could it get ripped off in a crash and do either the driver or passenger an injury?



Possibly, also would it be accessible with the roof on? Mine is fitted sideways under the driver's knees where I can get at it from outside the car, after I've bailed.

Cheers,
Peter Humphries (and a green V8S)

Ford Prefect

Original Poster:

159 posts

285 months

Wednesday 17th April 2002
quotequote all
I have the chance of buying a secondhand (sorry I mean pre-owned) roll bar currently in a Griff.....Does anyone know if it will fit into a Chim?

ATG

22,262 posts

288 months

Wednesday 17th April 2002
quotequote all
same chassis, so i guess it'll mount okay, but i wonder about the roof clearance?

Nacnud

2,190 posts

285 months

Wednesday 17th April 2002
quotequote all
Just checked out the Tower View piccy - OUCH !!!!

I got my roll-bar because when driving with the roof on and both windows down the flex at the top of the windscreen is very alarming. Doesn't look like it would even hold my weight, never mind the weight of an inverted TVR.

Feel much happier now......
quote:

Might I suggest you look at the roll bar section at www.t-v-r-services.co.uk as there is a picture that will answer you question perfectly. You might want a sick bag with you though....

shpub

8,507 posts

288 months

Thursday 18th April 2002
quotequote all
quote:

Just checked out the Tower View piccy - OUCH !!!!



The guy survived with just a few stitches on a head wound.

I also have a picture somewhere (but can't find it) of a AC Cobra whose nice heavy duty roll bar collapsed when he rolled the car because the mounts were insufficient to hold the weight of the car. His passenger ended up as an inpromtu roll bar....

Steve
www.tvrbooks.co.uk