Roll Bars

[Frog2Spider]

So I got thinking ... I see fewer Spiders with roll bars, than with.

Has anyone ever flipped one, or ever been in an accident where their roll bar actually saved you, or prevented a more serious injury?
I’m thinking that ‘street machinines’ with roll bars, are generally installed more for the look, than for a practical application.

Any thoughts?

Dave.

[Frog2Spider]

48 ‘views’ and no replies!

My thought and assumion must be right.
Dave

[courtenay]

Or it may be that 49 people (counting me) haven't flipped their roll bar equipped Spiders so are unable to answer your question.

[wetminkey]

Damn low center of gravity,...
Your roll bar post made me laugh, though,...and think of 1966 (I think) and my father shopping/test driving.
Brand new red Spider, top down. Dad says "hang on", and pulls the Spider around a 90 degree turn at an intersection on the suburban street at a solid 40 mph! It didn't even seem like the car leaned as it perfectly executed that tight turn at speed!
You'd have to work at it to turn one of these over,...
Other drivers on the road, however,...

[lglade]

I was (briefly) in a ride and handling group at Ford, and they were fond of saying, "Keep the shiny side up and the greasy side down", whenever someone new took off in a car for some testing. It's a motto I try to live by. As to the safety contributions of a roll bar in a Spider, any structure protecting your head would have to be good, but I won't put one in my car. With barely 120hp under the hood, my Spider is for fair-weather touring at 'gentlemanly' speeds (rarely more than 50% over the posted speed limit). If I was going to drive it on the track, or really hard on the street, then I'd put one in it for sure. But there are other cars much better suited for those purposes.

[BEEK]

I worked in and owned a fiat salvage yard for over 20 years. Having salvaged 1000's of fiats I only came across 2 spiders that were upside down. One was a soft roll over in a ditch. The car was up-righted and drove away. The second was upside down at speed by the looks of the damage and road rash. I did not speak to the driver but i was told he waled away, The windshield frame did amazingly well in both cases. the second one it was smashed but again he waled away. No roll bars in either car.

[aj81spider]

I bought an 81 with a roll bar. I didn't like the look, so I took it out. When removing it I found that it was held in with a long 1/4" bolt. It didn't line up perfectly with the floor so the previous owner had supplemented that with a bunch of washers to level it out.

Had I rolled the car the roll bar would have snapped off and killed me.

[SP3]

Most 'roll bars' you see in street cars are cosmetic with no for/aft components. Waste of money/time/effort.

[Frog2Spider]

Thanks guys!
Just a observation that I was curious to confirm. I don’t care for ‘the look’ either, and with the Spider’s handling and cornering ability, never thought they would be a necessary.

Dave.

[wetminkey]

Now, on the other hand,...a roll bar in a '77 Toyota Landcruiser. Saved my butt (head/neck) once,...
Very different application, however.

[NJFIAT1981]

Hi Dave,
My 1976 has a roll bar installed. On the back of the roll bar facing the rear is a very bright led strip that lights up and flashes 4 times when I apply my brakes. I think Super Bright LED makes them. Had this installed when I purchased the 1976. I didn't have this set up in my 1980 Spider. The 17 year old girl that rear ended me and totaled the 1980 at a traffic light didn't see me
So since the spider has a nice low center of gravity and I drive like an old guy I'm not worried about a roll over. Getting rear ended really hurt. I like the LED brake light on the roll bar