Rollbar in you Speedster

How many of you have installed a roll bar. Is it a single bar or double bar. And why, looks? safety? just cause? I am thinking about it as my car leans to the racing look, but I am not sure I want to sacrifice the space it would take up. Any thoughts?

Check out the Miata double chrome bar that Alan (DRCLOCK) installed in his white/red Speedster. It looked really sharp.

https://www.speedsterowners.com/files/view.asp?sf=alanmerklin&f=100%5F7243%2Ejpg

I have the standard CMC supplied one in my car. Looks "racy" but limits the rear-ward travel of my seats. (remember, though, that I have built-in headrests in my 914 seats).

gn

CHECK OUT SAFETY ISSUES FOR HITTING YOUR HEAD

Gerd, safety for the concrete or metal? just wear a helmet! leather or plastic?

I didn't install mine, but it appears to be attached to the frame and done right. I always thought in my other speedster, that, if for any reason the speedster rolled, I would be toast, but in this one, I at least have a chance....So although I don't perticularly like the look, I like the safety.....
Perhaps I'm fooling myself...

I had one initially installed on mine and removed it after much discussion on safety considerations.

I had one 'cuz it looked cool. There are replica versions (not structurally sound) so you can enjoy the look without all the flap about safety.

http://www.356registry.org/Tech/roll-bars-in-street-cars.html

I was thinking about one, then read this article. I am pretty sure there are removable options if you do in fact want to take the speedster on the track. My advice, run with a roll bar when you are wearing a helmet.

The following is my favorite excerpt from the article:

I asked Denver Cornett, the aging driver, what he would do if it rolled. He replied that he had rolled the same car there in Milliken's Corner in the first or second race on the streets and roads surrounding the Glen in '48 or '49 and all he did was "duck under the cowl." I laughingly asked him to demonstrate that feat 50 years later and he replied "Can't! Gotta wear this seat belt now."

Irony at it's best


Paul

Oh the irony!!

Paul - WOW Milliken's corner. I was there when it got it's name! Sitting on a haybale with my feet on the inside of the track. The track being Main street in Watkins Glen, New York. Wild Bill comes down the hill and completely misses the 90 degree corner with a Savings Bank occupying the runoff area and . . OOOPs! But I think he was in an Allard maybe? He didn't roll the car, but I believe he did "punt" a hay bale right through the bank's window when he slid out.

As for roll bars, I use my "cosmetic" replica roll bar for a wind blocker (hey, Lexus got nuthin on me) - it works just fine at all speeds.

David - is that wind screen basically a window screen with a radius'd frame? Looks like it would do the trick with blocking the wind but not your rear-view.

Jim - The two right angle fitings, the basic frame and the high density screen material is right out of Home Depot. Glued some old universal weather-stripping onto the frame. Cuts at least half the wind off your neck.

Also made a matching wind blocker out of clear Lexan, but I have never installed it. Concluded that you don't need that in San Diego, maybe more for colder climates.

Thanks for all the input on rollbars. I think I will put the idea on the back burner for now. The head against the metal thing bothers me, even though I love the look.