Posted By : John Davies, 26-Jun-2007, 00:34am

All,
A little while ago, I said that all our convertible cars were "unsafe" and had to explain myself.
I meant that the windscreen on a Spitfire, or a convertible Herald/Vitesse, was not built to anything like the strength of that in a modern convertible.
The wind screen would collapse in a roll-over and crush the inhabitants.
Anyone who doesn't belive me, please go the PRI site in the USA - http://www.prirace.com/ - and click on the "PRI saves lives" button picture.
I have the gravest doubt about the strength, or lack of support, of those twin hoop roll bars, but something is better than nothing and this guy lived!
But see that windscreen, and think on't.

John

Followups :

Spitfire roll-overs DO happen!

Posted By : Philip Brammer, 26-Jun-2007, 09:59am

I recall many years ago assisting in righting an upside down midget in a field between Boston and Sibsey. The driver had not been wearing his seat belt and was thrown out with serious injuries. As you say the windsgreen was flat. A very rare case of a driver being better off without a restaint, otherwise he would have been very messy indeed.
TRGB ltd are selling unpadded roll bars for spits at &163;99.81 inc vat or &194;&163;140.94 padded. You've got me thinking now!

Spitfire roll-overs DO happen!

Posted By : Nigel Gibbins, 26-Jun-2007, 11:48am

I had a brief concern it was going to happen to me on Sunday as I was nerfed by a Clio onto the grass, sideways skidding across an access road heading for a gravel trap at 90mph!!! Thankfully, I have a full six point rollcage in that I didn't need...

Much less likely to happen on the road, but if you are a 'spirited' driver I would say a rollbar was essential...

Section : General

Spitfire roll-overs DO happen!

Followups :

Spitfire roll-overs DO happen!

Spitfire roll-overs DO happen!