Dennis:
As Eric from Adelaide said, "...ask about whether you are looking to save
money, look good - or save your skull."
Race regs in US vintage groups call for roll bar to be 2" over driver's helmet.
And, they require fore &/or aft bracing. So, a "cute" little pair of loops
wouldn't meet the requirements, nor would they stand up to a roll-over.
(Thankfully, chances of rolling an MG are FAR less than many other vehicles.)
The company that makes roll bars for Miata's makes a number of different
styles, including one that meets SCCA Solo I (or is it Solo II?) specs.
BUT,... this bar is the "Old-style" hoop with braces.
If you decide you really want a roll bar for safety, you need to get one made
for your car. That's what I did. It wasn't cheap, but it meets vintage racing
specs, fits under the factory hardtop & even fits with the soft top in place.
HOWEVER, that requires the original 2-piece top frame. The roll bar hoop goes
between the two rear bars of the top frame. It causes a slight bulge in the
top at both sides. But, I only have one head, & I wnat to keep it in one piece.
A number of years ago I came across an MGB on a country road that had flipped &
was totally upside down. The windshield did NOT support the car. The driver
was unconscious & I don't know if he survived, as I left when the ambulance
arrived. That convinced me to install roll bars that really work. Getting
involved in vintage racing with my MGB only gave me an opportunity to have one
made that is reinforced & braced.
The rear brace goes diagonally from a bracket on the top corner of hoop behind
driver's head to the far rear corner of the "shelf." It bolts into a 3-sided
steel box that is welded to the body in that corner. I could remove that brace
for daily driving. But, why? It is safer with it, & my tonneau has a bound
hole for it as well as for the hoop & the rear-angled braces.
The front brace bolts to a bracket in the middle of the hoop, and goes to
another 3-sided steel box in the far outboard corner of the passenger
compartment. The result is: good fore & aft bracing; reasonable safety on a
daily basis & better safety when racing.
Make your decision on what you really want. If it's safety, invest in it. If
it's appearance,... Well you decide.
Norm Sippel
'66 MGB daily driver, occasional vintage racer
Better safe than sorry.
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