miata style roll bar?

[jbills]

Just wondering if anyone has ever seen or had success with installing what I'll call a "miata style" roll bar for lack of a better description. I don't think the miata one would work, but I just mean the double headrest pattern style roll bar. the Mini Cooper has one similar.

I'm taking a hard look at the porsche 986 boxster roll bars on ebay and wondering if they could be custom cut and mounted.

I don't care much for the straight across fiat roll bars from int'l or autopower. I've also seen the angled one that was on the abarth, I think - didn't do much for me either.

that double boxster one measures 48.5"w x 31"h x 20"d - anyone have measurements for the fiat autopower roll bar? my guess is the legs are going to be much longer on the ap fiat bar, and I'd have to get the boxter one extended or something, which would require some fabrication and probably compromise the strength of it. plus, we're talking welding vs. bolt on.

hmmm... any other ideas?

[MNspiderman]

I just happen to have that double bump style miata roll bar. You only get a top half, you must fabricate the lower half. the only issue is that it's about 2 inches too wide. It's stainless steel. you would need to chop 2 inches out of the middle and have it welded back up. Thank god its not chrome. The 2" width problem is only an issue if you put your top down. It hits the outter edges and won't let your top go down all the way. I haven't installed it yet but i had it held in place and stepped back and it looked pretty nice.

[jbills]

way cool! that's good to know. I'd love to see a photo, even if the roll bar is just slapped in there temp placed for the photo as a mock up. I have a suspicion that it will look really nice.

there's a model of that boxster roll bar that has a tan cover. I really think that would fit well with the fiat, but I'm just wondering if it's worth the extra effort.

i'll email AP for the roll bar measurements and think about it some more. Would def love to see a pic.

[Ken]

Here is a picture of a Miata bar in my car, its not finished yet and I have made modifacations to the body, your back windows would be in the way.



Ken

[brunorahl]

For strength and safety, you may want to look at getting a local place that bends roll cage tubing to make you something. Maybe have 2 full hoops made. Mount them to the rear cross brace. Then from the outside leg of each bar, brace to the wheel well, and have the inner 2 legs, form an X brace between the wheel wells. I know that's a lot more tubing, but it would result in twin humps and be somewhat safe.