Miata Mailing List: February 1996, Message #151
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   From: Kerim@aol.com
Subject: Re: Rollbar? or not.
   Date: Sat, 3 Feb 1996 09:25:43 -0500

In a message dated 96-02-01 18:37:59 EST, you jcurtis says:

>>>I've been thinking about getting a rollbar put into my car, but I'm not
>sure
>about the cost, advantages vs. disadvantages, style?<<
>
>IMHO if you are going to put a bar in at all then spend the extra MSUs and
>get 
>a roll bar instead of a style bar.  A style bar has all of the drawbacks of 
>putting in a bar (modify carpet, parcel shelf, boot, tonneau, harder to 
>operate the top, may block rearward view) without any of the benefits (roll 
>over protection, approved for competition driving) except looks.
>
>
Well, I would disagree to some level. Your comments re: roll bars for
competition are very valid. However, the thing to remember is that *most*
people will not be competing with their Miatas. I have installed the Racing
Beat style bar II and it looks great -- significantly better than a real roll
bar. 

I am puzzled about your statement regarding modifying the carpet, boot, rear
shelf, etc. My style bar simply replaced the brace bar behind the seats (I
have a '94; a pre-'94 would  have the same installation as if adding an
after-market brace). No modification was needed to the boot, shelf,
carpeting, or anything. Raising and lowering the rear window is marginally
more difficult now, since the hoops (there are 2: one behind each seat,
connected in the middle to maintain the original bracing) do get in the way.
But, after living with the style bar for over a year, I can say that the
added "hassle" is so minor...just zipping/unzipping the window (with or
without a style bar) is about 150% more of a hassle than the amount of
"additional" hassle the bar has added.

Plus, a style bar will serve the visual purpose of making passengers feel
safer, so if that is the motivating reason to get a bar, then looks and price
should be the determining factor. Roll bars stick up MUCH higher than style
bars, and I would imaging that they make raising/lowering the top more
difficult than the lower style bar (although I will freely admit I could be
wrong here)..

Just some food for thought...

Kerim@aol.com
'94 red A, "Son of Sheba"
(I need a better name...)