Need opinions on high back seats and passenger roll bar

[thumper24]

I'm struggling with these two things so looking for opinions, pros/cons, or compelling reasons to have them or not.

Regarding high back seats, it seems like the added height to hold your head in place when you punch the gas would be nice... but does it look funny? Are they really practical or not worth it?

Regarding passenger side roll bar, do you think it looks good? Does it really add more value in terms of safety should a worst case scenario roll-over happen? Any other reason to have it or to not have it?

I suppose if you take a purist standpoint on both, then it is simply a "no" to have them. Because these items aren't "original" does that affect the appeal and/or resale should I ever need to get rid of it?

Appreciate some thoughts...

.

[billjr212]

a huge aspect of both these is personal preference, so it's very tempting to respond with personal opinion. I'll throw in a couple things just to get the responses flowing.

If you go with high back seats, it looks silly (in my opinion) without the 2nd roll bar.
If you do track time, you won't be able to have a passenger without the 2nd roll bar.
High backs are nice because they prevent major head and neck injuries (or death) in the event of someone rear ending you. I decided early that I didn't want to layer on that risk when I did my build (plenty of risk involved already).

If you are going for an overall "original" look, then yes, it could hurt your resale value, but otherwise it shouldn't matter. Resale value generally seems to have much more to do with the quality of craftsmanship and components than style choice (assuming you don't do something outlandish).

Good luck with your decision making!

[Norm B]

I like the look of the 2 roll bars and decided that my passenger deserved as much protection as me. My kids would probably fair better in life with my wife around and me gone than vice versa. We plan to make removable headrests that mount on the roll bars as one of our winter projects to provide the rear end crash protection you mentioned. Will be putting a high mounted stop light in each headrest for the same reason. Making all of the decisions like this was one of the most challenging parts of the build for me.

Good Luck
Norm

[MPTech]

I built mine with both and that was my plan from the very beginning. Yes, I like the traditional look of low-backs and a single rollbar, but these cars are dangerous enough from the get-go, so anything I can do to improve that, I'm all for.
I installed the Breeze Stainless Steel roll bars, so they are between the Mk1-3.1 2" size and the MK4 1.5" diameter, they are also 2 - 3" shorter and have a slight rake and no frankenstein bolt. VERY happy with them!
I also installed Ultra-shield Rally Sport seats and also happy with this decision. They are safer and very comfortable (I've had 2 passengers fall asleep on long cruises!). Also added seat heaters and they are warm to boot! (I did add an additional piece of foam in the seat and may add lumber support later). My 80 year old dad rode 300+ miles to London this summer with me and said they were comfortable! I've ridden in low-back seats that actually hurt my back after an hour or so.

I also plan to take it to the track next summer and have an instructor ride with me. I don't think they are allowed without a passenger rollbar.
Besides, god forbid, I would never forgive myself if something did happen and a friend or loved one was injured because I didn't install it when I had the opportunity.

[AZPete]

One nice thing about the high-back seats is that they prevent the wind from pounding on the back of your head. Not as important as safety, comfort and looks, but nice.

[Todd Buttrick]

Ain't nothin better.

[Plebeian]

Definitely safer with high back seats and a passenger roll bar (or full width roll bar). I went with high backs, full width bar, and side intrusion bars. Will it hurt resale, IMO, no. It is very easy for me to switch it back to more period correct. Heck, some people drive these cars with just lap belts (nothing quite like a face plant into the dash or steering wheel in an accident). It's all about what's important to you. Some people will look down upon your car if it doesn't have an FE, etc. Cheers.

[Todd Buttrick]

My opinion as asked, this looks mentally underdeveloped.

[Plebeian]

[ClemsonS197]

I have high back Kirkeys as I've been rear ended in other vehicles twice and suffered a sprained neck both times. Can't imagine what would happen without it. I'm also adding a second rollbar as it was the requirements of the wife to buy the kit. Not too tall an order. Plus with a Coyote motor, PS, PB, 17" wheels and projection headlights i've already pissed off the traditionalists.

[Garry Bopp]

Todd,

That's my old Mk3. I bought the car "turn key" and ended up changing to low back sube sport seats ... and had the roll bars chromed.

GArry

[lazrcng]

IMO............Low back and single driver's side roll bar.

[thumper24]

All great info, guys, and I appreciate the opinions... you've given lot's of things to think about! I will most likely have a passenger (wife or daughter) more often than not so I'm thinking the passenger roll bar will be a likely addition. Looks like there's several options for the high backs so I'll do some searching... also like the idea of swapping back to low-back if had to sell.

Great stuff, thanks!

[edwardb]

I know not everyone will agree with this position. But for street driving I don't consider a single driver's side roll bar to a safety risk for the passenger. These cars are very difficult to get wrong side up. Basically it needs to be tripped. e.g. curb, shoulder, etc. I use my car strictly for street cruising, and I know there is certainly some risk, but a roll-over accident in my opinion is quite unlikely. My wife is in the seat next to me probably 80-90% of the time the car is out. I don't think I'm putting her at undo risk without a passenger side roll bar. I understand rules for track events, having a passenger or instructor, and if that's how you're going to use the car, then a second roll bar or a full roll bar is obviously needed.

I would never use it to rationalize my decisions, but quite a few guys in our local Cobra club either have no rollbar(s) or just a little shorty one that's not going to be any help in a rollover.

[Plebeian]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sYRN70r7Zrc

[dallas_]

I did high back seats and a full width roll bar.

No, it's not original, but it's my neck on the line so I'm good with it.

I used the Kirkey Drag Pro seats and they are the exact seat as the Kirkey Vintage Buckets only with the head protection. I also have a set of the Vintage Buckets so I can easily put in the low backs if wanted.

[CraigS]

Since it seems you like the two roll bars (I agree) another option is headrests that attach to the roll bars.

[Jeff Kleiner]

My question goes beyond aesthetics because that can be debated endlessly without resolution. How do you intend to use the car? If you plan to do any track time or autocross you will find that the typical roadster lowback seats won't keep you in place very well. The highbacks like the Kirkey intermeidiates that FFR offers as an option, Sube Clubmans, etc. will do a much better job in that regard. You can also go to a lowback roadrace seat like a Kirkey 41V series which will keep you better planted but still have more of a vintage look by not extending above the body.



FFR offers these as a Coupe option so if you chose to go this route perhaps you could work out a swap deal when ordering. If not they are available from a number of other sources.

As mentioned earlier if you plan to do any track time you'll be required to have a bar for passengers or instructors.

Jeff

[rich grsc]

My opinion as asked, this looks retarded.

I think thats a retarded response..

[chopthebass]

I prefer the classic low seat and single roll bar. I am sure high back seats are going to be safer, but I think retarded is the wrong use of the word.

[McObra]

I chose the high backed seats and dual roll bars. The high back seats for head restraint, and the duel roll bars because the passenger deserves the same protection I have.

[BobS]

I always thought that the high back seats look too big for the car.

[NukeMMC]

My preference, and build route is low back seats, dual rollbars, but the passenger bar can be removed and holes covered with body color plates. Removable headrest made from sissy bar pads from my Harley days looks about right also.

[Mike N]

How do you intend to use the car?

This ^^^^^

When I built my car I had the low back sets and a single roll bar. It was the exact look I wanted and I was very happy until I started auto crossing then it became very apparent that the look did not offer the 'function' that I wanted for aggressive driving. So I added a full width roll bar and a pair of high back Kirkeys. I can still swap the single hoop and original seats back in in a couple of hours if I want but truthfully I enjoy driving the car a lot more with more supportive seats.

[Todd Buttrick]

I think thats a retarded response..

Sorry if I offended you. I went back and edited my post.

[Avalanche325]

My wife pretty much laid it out. "Go ahead and order your kit, but I get a roll bar."

I did do low back seats. In autocrossing, even with the belts Apollo rocket tight, I find that I wedge my knee against the door to keep in place. I really don't like the look of the Cobra high-backs. But I think the Kirkeys or similar, without the big wings don't look too offensive.

Of course, the car looks best with a single roll bar and low backs. But, there were a lot fewer idiots on the road in 1965.

[Gale K]

I've had three sets of seats. Finally settled on the Kirkey intermediate road race seats. No, they don't look original, but I feel very secure in them. Not confiningly so, but very well planted. I wanted the head and neck protection. The comfort is amazing.

Seat heaters added (very nice on cooler days).

Also went dual roll bar for the wife/kids. If I did it again, I would go full width single roll bar. I like the look better than the duals.