[DeTomaso] Rollbar Options (long)

[JDeRyke at aol.com]

In a message dated 9/29/08 5:20:10 PM, scottcouchman at yahoo.com writes:

> Any suggestions/recommendations for sourcing a rollbar that mounts behind 
> the stock seatbelt locations?
> Any recommendations for harness mounting locations? Thanks again for your 
> help!!
> 
I applaud your concern and I assume this is not just for Donut shop runs. Go 
to any of the usual Pantera shops/vendors; I wouldn't go to a shop that didn't 
work with Panteras every day for such a thing. Any source you select should 
be able to build a roll bar that meets the requirements of SCCA and/or other 
race sanctioning organizations. This includes a 0.120" mimimum wall thickness 
and at least one drill hole so the wall thickness can be verified by an 
inspector. 
That said, I believe the stock DeTomaso Pantera has one of the safest 
constructions ever designed in a high-speed sportscar, based on numerous rollovers in 
which the driver survived. So I'm saddened by your not wanting to put in a 
cage; IMHO the weakest part of the Pantera structure in a roll-over is the 
windshield posts which are basically attached to nothing at all. In some rollovers 
the roof came down so far in front, the DASHBOARD was destroyed. I believe the 
massive hoop weldment over the rear window and down both sides of the 
body/frame is the reason many drivers survived so adding a second loop behind you 
really doesn't address the problem. A carefully constructed 5, 6 or 7-point cage 
welded to the monococque, which ties the strong rear section to a highly 
strengthened windshield section, is most desirable. Unfortunately, unless the 
interior of the car is gutted and the cage fabricated as close as possible to the 
roof, headroom for drivers over about 5'10" is restricted- mostly due the tube 
along & above the drivers door. Some shops cut the roof off, complete the cage 
and reattach the roof panel. I'm 6'2" and I cannot vigorously drive a Pantera 
with a bolt-in cage without risking a concussion from that bar. 
Re-upholstering the interior with a welded-in cage will be difficult unless you take it to 
a Pantera-specialist shop. Shifting the seat toward the console helps with 
side-bar clearance. A new, narrower seat will shift sideways further than a stock 
one. Dropping the floorpan may help some drivers clear that bar with 
bolt-ins. Figure on adding about 60-70 lbs to the car with an approved cage. The 
chassis will be so stiffened by a welded cage that your car's handling will improve 
noticably just from this. And once the bars are done, don't forget to add a 
$35 anti-rollover valve to your gas tank....rollovers usually have fires 
involved. Good luck- J Deryke


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