The problem with the VX is that it does not have the harness bar bushes in the roll bar that the S2 Elise has. Therefore, S2 harness bars will not fit. Ricky has developed a solution using the existing belt mounts and this suits his needs for a lightweight solution for his track toy.
However, I wanted a solution that need not require the rear trim to be removed and also allowed the standard belts to be retained for road use. Safety Devices produced one such bar about 2 years ago but were unable to use the pattern again as they couldn't find it. I was lucky enough to see that bar and it set me thinking.
I have been able to find another roll cage design and manufacture specialist in Cambridgeshire and have been working closely with them for the last 6 weeks. They have developed a bar which is removeable when not required. As there are no mounting bushes in the roll bar, it does require a threaded block to be welded to the rollbar. This can be done in the car, with just the removal of seats and rear trim.
The guys developing this were not comfortable with relying on the current top seat belt mount, although this was considered.
The block is shown below:
As you can see, a small amount of the rear trim has to be cut away.
The bar has been bent to allow it to go as close as possible to the speakers. This allows the driver's seat to go back to the penultimate notch, if required. It is held in with four bolts.
The bar is powder coated to give it a high strength, high quality finish. It has a slight satin finish to be as close as possible to the rollbar.
I managed to install mine this afternoon and it can be taken out or put in in under 10 minutes.
There was some interest in a group buy previously. If people would like to have a harness bar there are two solutions:
1. Kit of parts - 1 bar (powder coated), 2 blocks for welding onto rollbar (bare steel), 4 bolts, 4 washers, 4 crimp washers
2. Fitted solution - blocks welded to your car in Cambridgeshire and complete unit installed by professionals. Blocks will be brush painted black.
The cost of option 1 is £140 and option 2 is £290. It sounds like a lot for fitting, but with all the trim removal and refitting, it is over half a days work. The welding is quite slow as it is important to not overheat the bodywork.
The plan is to offer the bar through the owner's club as an ongoing product line (like the clothing), but there is a minimum order quantity with the powder coaters so to get this price, a few orders up front would greatly help.
cheers
Paul
Edited by paulb, 11 June 2003 - 08:30 PM.
)
Even though I do not leave in UK but in Paris - France... I would definitively be interested in this bar (I may be able to do a trip to UK for this... my brother in law is english (from London) 
)...
Be seeing you
