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Most here are:
- Safety-conscious
- Concerned with OEM Porsche appearance.
By 1998, many affordable convertibles had good-looking rollbars pre-installed. IMHO, there's a surprising lack of photos & discussion regarding OEM rollbar options to protect owners, families, & friends in 993 cabriolets. For the extra ~$100k per 993 that well-funded enthusiasts spent at the Werks1 / Exclusiv department - where the factory would engineer & install most anything - are there pix of a single example from Porsche?
Of all the great threads & products here, is there 1 that specifically addresses &/or comes close to solving convertible rollover problems while complimenting the 993's beautiful curves? Apologies if I'm an oblivious butthead (likely) please post link(s).
Threads addressing cab rollbars often [1] are motivated because it's required for track use, but don't stress aesthetics; & [2] emphasize removability ...see #1
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, so opinions WILL vary - nothing pleases everyone. Suggestions may sacrifice some rigidity for looks, but that's still safer than the vast majority of cab owner's current rollover 'mod' -- no rollbar. The priority's engineering that addresses appearance: If it's not an artistic OEM option on a car you admire for its looks, it may not belong here.
What's a safety solution Harm Lagaay & his artful 993 designers might appreciate? Including something introduced since 1998's fine, if it's applicable.
I've researched, but only found two options I'd even consider; neither of which have I ever seen on a RLer's car. One's no longer made, the other didn't please the eye of a trusted RLer. I may use it anyway, but relish your help in exhausting options first.
Please take the time to post photos, or a direct link to them.
My druthers: may preclude rear seat use; doesn't have to be club pre-approved. Bonus if incorporates wind stop (IMO, not yet smitten by DAS', which fits wind screen). Added weight's acceptable for safety & added strength.
However, even if nothing's offered that fits my desires, this thread will be well worth it if some ideas help another RLer's safety
Last edited by curve lover; 01-18-2010 at 11:25 PM.
Your car looks like it came from the factory and that is the biggest compliment I can possibly pay you as nothing looks "aftermarket'. Congrats again....
If price is no object look into the leather or vinyl covered, padded rollbar by Techart. I understand this rollbar was avaliable factory installed by special order. It is approved by both European and U.S safety agencies (TUV and ???).
It is very pricey, listing at between $1,700 and $2300 depending on the pading and covering material. I have one in my Cab and can testify to it's quality. The rear seat is still useable for children under 10yrs, but the comfort level is reduced. The wind shield is not useable.
Most members of this board will recommend the DAS rollbar. It is also a very good unit and sells for less than half the Techart unit's price, but you will have to take care of the cosmetics yourself.
I realize I may eventually have to call upon a custom-welding shop, but appreciate your inputs for possible OEM-like options prior to that decision.
The following's discontinued by Gemballa. FWIW, notice transition from black to red - approaching a full cage enclosure (not necessary for my pursuits).
Talking to oneself can be an early warning of dementia...
Just kidding. Wish I could help, good luck...
Matt
Matt, I think you may one speedster too late !
CL, would love to see the techart rollbar for a cab....
another source of rollbars for our porsches is Heigo ...i dont think they have a 993 cab application... but these guys can do anything - for them it should be plug and play.
What about trying to adapt the Boxster system? Factory parts, built-in removable glass wind screen, probably lots available at local dismantlers. I think that's where I would start ...
Talking to oneself can be an early warning of dementia...
Matt-- ^^ I had to have somebody intelligent to talk to in case YOU showed up
(If we have to beat each other up to save a life, I'll jump in. Whatever it takes to get more thinking about safety)
Thanks for getting some discussion going. Of all the topics discussed here, this seems VERY important - literally life or death, but rarely talked about - kinda the elephant in the room ... unless cab owners without rollbars are just more reckless?
Maybe I'm wrong thinking more cab drivers are safety-conscious, as I wrote above?
Would 993 cab owners rather risk a rollover than lose the use of the their back seats, or is it something else?
...or that they haven't found a good-looking alternative to the mass-produced aftermarket rollbars?
Obviously takes some time & money, but ... is it worth it?
I don't think the top being up would have helped at all and since we don't have roll bars
I've always wondered how I would fare in an accident.
Originally Posted by Arena993
I was driving my car the way I shouldn't have been and paid the price for my stupidity.
RLers drive good-looking, well-built German engineering. Aren't there more 993 rollbars to match?
I speak for all to say we're thrilled that Mike's cranium only needed minor repairs after the above.
That shot's a reminder that we can't always trust ourselves, much less road conditions, & especially other drivers.
If rollovers could be predicted, they wouldn't be called accidents. Likewise, we can't predict when we'll have to pay the ultimate price ... even when it's someone else's fault.
CL, would love to see the techart rollbar for a cab....
+993!!! I'll be glad to share when/ if I hear from the above RLer D.G. whom I PMed & e-m'ed
In the meantime: Anyone seen photos, or familiar with it?
Originally Posted by alpinadvl
another source of rollbars for our porsches is Heigo ...i dont think they have a 993 cab application... but these guys can do anything - for them it should be plug and play.
__________________ Alf
Currently looking for : hard shell sportback seats (recaro A8's or Porsche) / 993 speedster (the red one) / and $$$
Alf-- Thanks to Boris (FlyYellow)'s thread advertising his for sale, I've seen Heigo's 993 cab version that FVD.de sells [below]. IMHO, for daily use (as opposed to track) the straight bar across the top may not "light anyone's candle" if they stress appearance as much as safety. Hopefully I'm wrong & more will pick this up to make their cabs safer.
Looks like this one has the cross-tunnel support, which seems cool. I've read some RLers' compliments of Heigo's artful welds. Boris writes that he prefers his Heigo over the DAS cab rollbar that's more common (since the latter's club-approved for track use).
You have a GREAT point, that they may do custom work! Could lead to a new RL favorite - & we seem short on cool cab rollbar options
What about trying to adapt the Boxster system? Factory parts, built-in removable glass wind screen, probably lots available at local dismantlers. I think that's where I would start ...
Jon Paul-- As usual, I really like what you're thinking ... that IS where I started
Here are photos of my trip to Bruce Canepa's to research this. Curious for everyone's thoughts. I hope to find something that appeals to others enough they use it in their cabs. Do y'all think this is the solution for looks & safety?
FWIW, probably $.02 or so,,, I like the looks of the Speedster roll-bar in these recent posts. I think one crucial point is providing enough height for structural protection in the case of a roll-over, yet to keep the hoops far enough away from the head/body as to never be an issue in any accident, particularly with standard lap belts.
I know the latter part of the equation is an issue with the roll-bar solutions for the S2000, as an example.
01-09-2010, 06:29 PM
Why don't more cab owners install ROLLBARS? ...not eye-pleasing? ...not OEM?
please post link(s).
)
trust the windshield....
Alf
