Rollbar Recommendations

1475 Views 13 Replies 8 Participants Last post by ddouglas77, Nov 4, 2007

floydg

Discussion Starter · Oct 31, 2007

03/1982 Series 3

I would like to get a roll bar that would save my head! And also fit under the soft top. Does anyone make one?

Does any one make one where you can quickly add/remove an extension for the roll bar metal top bar, so when the soft top is on the metal extension is off, and when the soft top is off, you add the metal extension?

Thanks in Advance!

Save

1 - 14 of 14 Posts

Tifosi

· #2 · Oct 31, 2007

You mean something like this or more complex?

Save

Art Vandelay

· #3 · Oct 31, 2007

If you're not wearing a helmet a rollbar isn't going to save your head, in fact, it's more likely to crack your head. How many Spider rollovers have you seen/heard about? Also, the rear deck in your '82 is pretty thin, and that's all the rollbar bolts to.

Save

Tifosi

· #4 · Oct 31, 2007

Actually it bolts to the chassis proper near the suspension pickup points under the rear deck after cutting a hole through it.

Save

Art Vandelay

· #5 · Oct 31, 2007

Hmm . . . the Autopower street rollbar I pulled from my '74 bolted thru the floor - no holes cut, except the ones drilled for the bolts. Either way, in a collision involving your skull against the rollbar, the rollbar always wins.

Save

Zunige

· #6 · Oct 31, 2007

floydg said:
03/1982 Series 3

I would like to get a roll bar that would save my head! And also fit under the soft top. Does anyone make one?

Does any one make one where you can quickly add/remove an extension for the roll bar metal top bar, so when the soft top is on the metal extension is off, and when the soft top is off, you add the metal extension?

Thanks in Advance!

If you plan to use the bar as a show piece for the street, then yes, IAP and Autopower make them so that they will allow the top to go up, when the bar is installed. However, none of these will save your head in case of a collision, and for sure they will not hold if the car flips over - and both suppliers will be the first to tell you that they are only for show. No one makes a functional bar for the Spider that will allow the top to go up. In fact, the Autopower track bar requires that you remove the top frame altogether!

If you want a functional bar, then the only way to go is custom. The Spider rear deck, where the main hoop would be supported, has a double floor and one must cut into the deck to create sort of box to support the main hoop. Then the braces that support the main hoop typically are run to the back area, around where the rear deck lid meets the wall that separates the trunk from the cabin, and they require a backing plate for reinforcement. If you position the braces above the rear deck lid, you will have to cut into the trunk floor, close to where the wall is to be able to attach the plates. If you position the braces a little lower, you can install the plates from underneath the car, but you will have to cut into the rear deck lid a bit. Finally, to ensure that the bar won't collapse, you will need a diagonal (single or double) reinforcement. Provided you use the proper tubing (DOM mild steel 1.75 OD X 0.120 wall), this bar would be functional in case the car flips over, but it will not be legal to use on a track. For that, at a minimum, it must clear your head when wearing a helmet (today's helmets are fairly large, and they keep getting bigger), and most tracks require that the clearance be at least 2 inches. This means that you won't be able to raise the top over the bar.

Fabricating a functional bar requires a little research. I would suggest that you review the AROC Competition Code at Alfa Romeo Owners Club USA | Home and also the SCCA website.

Best regards,

See less See more

Save

johnalfa1976

· #7 · Oct 31, 2007

My Alfa Mechanic tells me years ago when he worked for a Alfa Dealer in Oklahoma City, one of the salesmen rolled a Spider with the top up and the top frame held and did not collapse. Interesting!!!!!

Save

msiert

· #8 · Nov 1, 2007 (Edited)

I did a custom bolt in roll bar for my S-4 Spider for the track events I go too. I don't use it for the normal street driving.

Your chance of a bad rear end collision or other non roll over collision is much higher than a roll over and in any bad collision you are tossed about big time even with a seat belt on!

In having a roll bar to slam your head into on a bad collision would be like a watermellon smashing into a steel pole. IMO I wouldn't drive with a roll bar without a helmet .

See less See more

Save

ddouglas77

· #9 · Nov 3, 2007

After looking at this pics you posted Murray, I can say, without a doubt, you are a Alfa Lunatic Behind Bars!

Save

redspiderveloce

· #10 · Nov 4, 2007

msiert: how much work is it to put on/take off the roll bar? It looks really nice. Does the carpet lay back in once it is removed?

Andy

Save

msiert

· #11 · Nov 4, 2007

ddouglas77 said:
After looking at this pics you posted Murray, I can say, without a doubt, you are a Alfa Lunatic Behind Bars!

Lets hope that those are the only bars I ever find myself behind.

redspiderveloce said:
msiert: how much work is it to put on/take off the roll bar? It looks really nice. Does the carpet lay back in once it is removed?

Andy

Hi Andy,

It takes about a day of work to put it in or should I say allow a day to put it in. You have to use guide pins and install the bolts in a certain pattern to get it in. Two people would be best to line up the holes but the last time I did it by myself.

The carpet goes back with out a problem.

Save