Roll Bars

You should anticipate needing a roll bar for a high speed event. Drag strips require them also if you run faster then a certain time.
There are only two that I know of for the Pantera.
One is a "three point" which bolts in the interior rocker panels.
Access is gained into the rockers through the seat belt retractor mechanisms.
Last Push Button bought my bar and had issues with the mounting because he doesn't have the rocker mounted seat belts because it is an early car.
He wound up welding it in place.
In a stock car the roll bar must be removed to remove the engine/bulkhead cover. This is something to think about in advance.
There is also a bolt in roll cage available.
Both are available from Hall. I'm sure other vendors have them also.
There was (past tense) a rollbar that was installed in the engine compartment.
It also had forward running tubes that ran through the rocker to the front wheelwell.
The engine and fuel tank needed to be removed in order to install it.
I thought it was a better system then the other two because of the side impact reinforcement and it tied the chassis together.
I thought that the source was Pantera Performance but Dennis said it wasn't his and offered no alternative sources.

I would also like to hear what others have done about roll bars. Some specific track requirments, what qualifies, what does not, how removable they are, etc. I am started getting 1905 ready to pull the engine last night. I am contemplating doing more then pull the engine. I am fighting the "MayAsWell's" right now. If I am going to do this, I may as well do that....

Gary

I welded in the bar from doug. However the third bar I just installed yesterday and it bolts to the floor and the top of the bar so that part will come out. I belive my bulkhead cover will come out with the bar in. I mounted it quite a bit forward of the rear glass, like 6 inches.

I would also like to get into a discussion of
-type of steel, for instance chrome molley is stonger but it breaks instead of bends. I remember the discussion but I don't remember the details.
-Tubing size/thickness
-number and location of attatchment points?
-what is required by whome to race where?
-can parts be removable and still comply for certain requirements?


gary

Passenger floor mount.

LPB, I never mounted the forward brace. I thought that it took up too much room.

None of the numerous track events that I've participated in have ever required a roll bar unless you are running a convertible and even then the factory rollbar such as comes on the Porsche Boxter will meet their requirement. All of my track time has involved "Drivers Schools" with no actual bumper to bumper racing. I know that most racing organizations such as SCCA,NHRA,etc. have strict rules regarding rollbars for true competition but I'm staying away from any "fun" that requires one.FWIW

UFO, Your pretty much right.. There was a high speet timed event in Maxton NC. They run a timed mile at an airport. They told me the more safty equipment I had,, the faster they would let me go. Hence the roll bar, I had permission to run up to 150...Too bad I did not show up....maybe next spring.

Some of the drag strips require them too. My Brother had to stop racing his Cobra at the drag strip when he got in the 10's.

Yes exactly 10:99 and faster on a drag strip and you need a Certified Roll cage at least 4 point cage.

My exp also has been if its a street car at a fun event no pipes are needed. I was pushing 130 at Pocono and no cage. The thought did cross my mind.

I have a HALL 4 point cage in my 79 but it did not fit the rockers correctly so I took it out. Taking it out and it was bolt in was not easy. I needed to take off the bulk head cover .. I had to cut one of the top innner connector pipes to do it .. I think they took out the dash to get it in.

My opinion is the cage for the Pantera is a very very hard one to fabricate ... due to the amount of obsticles, the things I would liek to be functional ..

example : the bulkhead removing, getting in with a swing away side bar, rear bars going back to tail on frame ( having a back window), the cross brace to the top of the rear suspension ( without it becoming a major obstruction to the engine, it would have to be removeable), and the bars going foward to the front sub frame, all the welds on the car need rewelding ( some I see on 6476 are just tacked, its very easy to pull off a spot welded or tack welded part).

My opionion a cage would be a job but can be done.

Ron

On my last Pantera, I had a Hall 4-point roll bar along with a rigidity kit from Precision ProFormance, and a Bulkhead reduction kit from Kirk Evans at Amerisport (so I could pull the bulk head without pulling the roll bar, which is a real pain). This set up works good. Now I have the same set up, but the car came with a removable bulkhead so I did not need the reduction kit. As far as what you need to participate in track events. I know in Vegas in groups a, b, or c with street tires you do not need a roll bar for a Pantera.If you are running DOT tires with a tread rating of 100 or less you need a 3-point roll bar,or non DOT tires (slicks)require a 4-point roll bar.For road racing many club racing groups, have street classes that do not require roll bars, but usually have restrictions as far as where you can pass, etc.