I am looking to have a roll bar installed into my JPS coupe. I am trying to get some ideas on the style and was hoping other SOC members might have some photos to share. Thanks in advance!
Here is my coupe so far...
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That is a great color, can't wait to see this bad boy when finished.
Do you plan on tracking your new car?
That is a great color, can't wait to see this bad boy when finished.
Thanks, me too!
Do you plan on tracking your new car?
Yes, I will do some track weekends. Mostly my coupe will be for fun, spirited drives in the canyons and such.
Did you decide against the roll bar?
Does anybody have a roll bar here in a coupe?
Can't be a bad idea..
Hi Dennis, I did go forward with having a roll bar in my coupe. Here is a quick photo. It just came back from being powder coated. It still need to be mounted fully into the car.
Looks good but is that mounted to metal? or is that on glass and will punch thru if weight is put on it? Thanks for your help.. I have an Envemo in John's shop right now also. If you've been there recently it's the ice blue 356C
Any pics of where the back supports mount to?
It hasn't been mounted yet and I don't have any other photos. I will post more when I do.
THATS MOUNTED TO FIBERGLASS
IT LOOKS GOOD BUT ITS NOT PRACTICAL AND WHEN PACKING FOR A LONG TRIP IS A PAIN IN THE ASS
Brilliant idea, the rollbar. If we were looking at a metal car that would be one thing but for fiberglass a roll bar makes sense. Smart thinking.
Crazy, but I agree with Gerd. Unless your mounted to the actual frame, that rollbar will just punch through the fiberglass base when any weight is applied. I'd much prefer no rollbar than have that break loose in any accident.
Two things:
1. A roll bar in a fiberglass coupe is a very good idea.
2. I really doubt that JPS is dumb enough to mount a roll bar to only fiberglass. I bet the roll bar, like mine, bolts to the pan or frame.
A roll bar or roll cage are both great ideas for any car whose use can create the danger of flipping. This is irrespective of the material the body is made from, either steel or fiberglass. There are entire books of rules for track cars' safety equipment, based on speed, hp, type of track, type of race, etc. A steel vert or coupe is not considered any safer than a fiberglass one for safety and rule purposes with the sanctioning bodies at various tracks.
Typically, a roll bar is 4 points of attachment or less, while a roll cage is usually 6 or more. There is a also slight difference in the size of the tubing used; 1 5/8" vs. 1 3/4".
John at JPS has been building hot rods for a long time. I don't believe that he would build a "show" bar into one of his coupes, because a show bar increases the risk of injury in a rollover, since it's not welded to the frame or pan. It not only doesn't make the driver more safe, it makes him more vulnerable to injury, since you now have a large piece of metal that WILL come loose in a serious accident, and will further harm any occupants.
If an owner plans to use his car in any auto sport that requires a roll bar or cage, be aware that the rules are very strict. Some need to be frame-welded, some can be bolt-in. Tubing size, material, type of weld, etc. are all spelled out. OTOH, many autocross events only require a helmet and 3-point seat belts, and let owners get the feel of competition without a huge investment. A great place to start!
Good post, Jim.
