Roll bar for an FC RX-7 convertible?

Say I was to buy an FC RX-7 convertible. If I was interested in using it as a street/track car (auto-x, possible HPDE-type activities), how would I go about adding a roll bar? Unlike Miatas, where adding a roll bar is just a phone call away, the market for FC convertible roll bars seems pretty non-existent.

I would like a structural 4 point roll bar, with at least one diagonal and a harness bar. Given that the car would see a fair amount of street time, I want the main hoop as far back as possible. I would need the top to still close, but would be okay with having to remove the targa section when lowering the top.

Anyone here have a an FC 'vert with a roll bar? Any suggestions?

Thanks!

I just found this picture. This is definitely NOT what I have in mind. Yikes.

Try a WTB on National Clist? request photos...

Good luck....

Rog

I don't think such an animal exists. You'll probably have to go custom.

Or just take the top off completely and do this:

Buy a Miata?

In reply to neon4891:

This ones better than a Miata!

Nope. Won't fit. I used to have one. Great cruiser and fun street car. Too much flex for track use though. Miata is more fun on track. I drove a TII converted 'vert back to back with the Miata and the Miata was much more fun.

I think CLH is right

http://www.sneedspeedshop.com/RollBarsCages.html

Bolt in or weld in. Good guys, they have and may still be advertising in GRM. I think the race car mini is using their splitter.

Greg Voth wrote: http://www.sneedspeedshop.com/RollBarsCages.html Bolt in or weld in. Good guys, they have and may still be advertising in GRM. I think the race car mini is using their splitter.

Thanks Greg! That is a great lead. I will call those guys and see what the options are. At least in the pic, it doesn't look like there is a harness bar, but that may be something they can add.

You could always get a low one like this.

In reply to modernbeat:

It does keep you from having to worry about the rollbar stopping the top from functioning correctly.

Yikes! That's low.

This is what I'm trying to avoid. Hotlinked from another forum. Luckily, the driver escaped relatively uninjured.

Ouch that was "hurleysurf"s wreck? Going down the highway traffic stopped he lost control and rolled then skidded down the road for a while?

Greg Voth wrote: Ouch that was "hurleysurf"s wreck? Going down the highway traffic stopped he lost control and rolled then skidded down the road for a while?

Yep, it was him and somewhere in S. Florida. I was searching for info on convertible roll bars and came across that thread. Certainly an eye opener.

~Autopower~ has been building bars for the older coupes for years. If you don't have luck elsewhere, you might call them and ask about an application for a newer RX7 convertible

dyintorace wrote:

Greg Voth wrote: http://www.sneedspeedshop.com/RollBarsCages.html Bolt in or weld in. Good guys, they have and may still be advertising in GRM. I think the race car mini is using their splitter.

Thanks Greg! That is a great lead. I will call those guys and see what the options are. At least in the pic, it doesn't look like there is a harness bar, but that may be something they can add.

I see a crossbar that looks like a harness bar right behind the seatbelt towers, but it doesn't seem to join up with the main hoop. Is that a factory brace or do I just have a bad viewing angle on a harness bar?

MrJoshua wrote: I see a crossbar that looks like a harness bar right behind the seatbelt towers, but it doesn't seem to join up with the main hoop. Is that a factory brace or do I just have a bad viewing angle on a harness bar?

From what I can see on their site, it is a seatbelt tower brace. Included in the kit, but not part of the structure. In other words, not something I'd want to attach harnesses to.

aeronca65t wrote: ~Autopower~ has been building bars for the older coupes for years. If you don't have luck elsewhere, you might call them and ask about an application for a newer RX7 convertible

Just called them. No love for the 'verts. He said they'd be happy to do something custom, if I took them the car. Hard to do, given that they are in CA and I'm in FL. Bummer.

I may end up having to go custom with a local provider.

No fun there. Maybe call Sneed and see if they can do something. I think the guy I spoke to was named Chris. If nothing else they are closer in NC.

Tell him the GRM crowd sent you.

Greg Voth wrote: No fun there. Maybe call Sneed and see if they can do something. I think the guy I spoke to was named Chris. If nothing else they are closer in NC. Tell him the GRM crowd sent you.

I sent them a note earlier and prefaced it by saying I found them "thanks to Grassroots Motorsports magazine"!

Still, their stock bar is $700 before shipping. It might not be much more to take the car somewhere (sort of) local and have them weld in what I'm looking for.

Greg Voth wrote: http://www.sneedspeedshop.com/RollBarsCages.html Bolt in or weld in. Good guys, they have and may still be advertising in GRM. I think the race car mini is using their splitter.

Chris Sneed replied to my inquiry and sent me these photos. They still make the bar for the 'vert. What do you think? I asked him where the back braces land, as you can't tell from these photos.

Looks like a decent bar! Your head would be kind of close to the bar if you had the seat all the way back, but I don't think that's an issue.

MrJoshua wrote: Looks like a decent bar! Your head would be kind of close to the bar if you had the seat all the way back, but I don't think that's an issue.

I was thinking the same thing. It looks awfully close to the seat. I would love to find someone with this bar installed so I could try it out.

I stand corrected!

CLH wrote: I stand corrected!

Amazing right? I didn't really expect an off the shelf solution for this one either.