1999 Miata roll bar install - Blackbird Fabworx

I'm close to wrapping up my roll bar install. The fit and finish is great and I'm looking forward to getting out on track with my 16 year old daughter very soon!

Oooo... i like that.

Are you putting the soft top back on? If so can you take some pictures of the interior clearance?

That is sexy. I love the color but make sure you pad it.

NordicSaab wrote: Oooo... i like that. Are you putting the soft top back on? If so can you take some pictures of the interior clearance?

The car came with a hard top and the original soft top (so 18 years old) uninstalled. I want to use the car on the street and as a convertible as much as possible, so my plan is to order a new soft top and install that. I'll most likely go with a zipper glass window - debating vinyl or cloth. Once I do, I will certainly take lots of pictures.

Stampie wrote: That is sexy. I love the color but make sure you pad it.

I plan to, but don't know where to source actual roll bar padding. Any suggestions?

I also need to figure out some different rear latches (I guess it would be considered the B pillar?) for the hard top. The factory pieces don't clear the bar. Anyone have any suggestions on a latching system that works with roll bars but doesn't necessitate bolting the top on? I want it to be secure but removable with relative ease.

In reply to dyintorace:

Last padding I got was from a local speed shop a couple of blocks away. Summit/Jegs should be cheaper. Get SFI padding since you're racing.

Also for ease of use of you don't get a zipped window. I get PO'ed every time I latch the top up, get out, and realize I forgot to zip up the rear window.

I ended up driving a previous Miata around quite a bit with the top up but window unzipped. It's so hot so much of the year here that the shade and airflow is nice.

For the SFI padding, go to Hard Dog. He's got padding that's shaped to a Miata roll bar main hoop and is only thick where it needs to be thick. Should be awfully close to the Blackbird shape.

I have the top on the Targa Miata bolted down. It's really quick to remove the side latches with a Gearwrench. That would be my preferred option for your dilemma. Alternately, look at the old modified latches that people used to use with the Hard Core Hard Top.

Keith Tanner wrote: For the SFI padding, go to Hard Dog. He's got padding that's shaped to a Miata roll bar main hoop and is only thick where it needs to be thick. Should be awfully close to the Blackbird shape. I have the top on the Targa Miata bolted down. It's really quick to remove the side latches with a Gearwrench. That would be my preferred option for your dilemma. Alternately, look at the old modified latches that people used to use with the Hard Core Hard Top.

Thanks Keith. Do you guys sell the hardware to bolt down the hard top? I checked your site, but couldn't find them. If you don't sell them, would you share a link to what you're describing?

In reply to dyintorace:

Garage Star Hardtop Brackets
Good-win Racing brackets
Ran the GS version on my miata, not much slower than the OEM latches, slightly less convenient for a thief.
Bonus points: less hardtop wiggle than the latches, no interference between latches and rollbar

The Beatrush hard top latches are popular for a side latch replacement once you put in a roll bar. They're expensive though.

dyintorace wrote:

Keith Tanner wrote: For the SFI padding, go to Hard Dog. He's got padding that's shaped to a Miata roll bar main hoop and is only thick where it needs to be thick. Should be awfully close to the Blackbird shape. I have the top on the Targa Miata bolted down. It's really quick to remove the side latches with a Gearwrench. That would be my preferred option for your dilemma. Alternately, look at the old modified latches that people used to use with the Hard Core Hard Top.

Thanks Keith. Do you guys sell the hardware to bolt down the hard top? I checked your site, but couldn't find them. If you don't sell them, would you share a link to what you're describing?

Any Spec Miata shop for the bolt-in plates. I usually go to Safe Racer.

Looks fantastic. We're wrapping up installation of the exact same bar for a new shop car. Moti at Blackbird does very nice work and is a really great guy too.

SnowMongoose wrote: In reply to dyintorace: Garage Star Hardtop Brackets Good-win Racing brackets Ran the GS version on my miata, not much slower than the OEM latches, slightly less convenient for a thief. Bonus points: less hardtop wiggle than the latches, no interference between latches and rollbar

Perfect. I've ordered a few things from Goodwin, so I'll go back to them for these too.

KMiata wrote: Looks fantastic. We're wrapping up installation of the exact same bar for a new shop car. Moti at Blackbird does very nice work and is a really great guy too.

The fit and finish of his bar is top notch. Very happy with it. And excited to get the rest of the car buttoned up and then out on track!

More progress on the Miata. A pair of Sparco seats and harnesses. No hardtop latches yet...still need to order some of those. And a soft top. Debating vinyl or cloth, either with a zip out glass window. Damn they're expensive.

(Harnesses are not fully wrapped yet)

I like how tall the seat backs come up. Keeps me away from the bar.

Just ordered my own Blackbird GT3 rollbar. Funny thing is, I considered a crazy color, then wimped out and was going to go with black. I call and Moti tells me they had a bar fresh back from 2-stage custom coating and the customer backed out, and if I was brave enough, he would sell it to me and halve the powdercoating cost. I ask and it turns out it was the same color I had been considering. He says it's the best looking bar he's ever seen, and wants pics when I install it to put on the website. Plus, because it's already bent, welded and powdercoated, it shipped immediately. Great guy, great service.

I look at pictures like those last few and it just blows my mind that people drive a Miata with a roll bar not wearing a helmet

NickD wrote: Just ordered my own Blackbird GT3 rollbar. Funny thing is, I considered a crazy color, then wimped out and was going to go with black. I call and Moti tells me they had a bar fresh back from 2-stage custom coating and the customer backed out, and if I was brave enough, he would sell it to me and halve the powdercoating cost. I ask and it turns out it was the same color I had been considering. He says it's the best looking bar he's ever seen, and wants pics when I install it to put on the website. Plus, because it's already bent, welded and powdercoated, it shipped immediately. Great guy, great service.

What color is it?!?

In reply to dyintorace:

Hehehehe, metallic purple.

Just showed up on Moti's Facebook page. That's bold.

Toebra wrote: I look at pictures like those last few and it just blows my mind that people drive a Miata with a roll bar not wearing a helmet

I hear this fairly frequently (and I plan on adding SFI padding to mine) but I'm curious to know how many folks have direct knowledge of someone who was driving a car equipped with a roll bar on the street, that suffered a crash and then came into contact with the roll bar as a result. I would imagine that it's happened, but I've never actually heard of it happening. Just an oft repeated admonition that you shouldn't drive a roll bar-equipped car on the street.

Regardless, as I mentioned, I plan on padding mine. Furthermore, with the current seats, the top of my head is well below the top of the seat, which is then between me and the bar. The harnesses do a great job of keeping me in place too.

In reply to dyintorace:

I have read first hand accounts of it happening and concussions resulting. People move around a lot in accidents.

dculberson wrote: In reply to dyintorace: I have read first hand accounts of it happening and concussions resulting. People move around a lot in accidents.

Duly noted.

One of the guys at FM rang his bell on a roll bar in a crash. It happens. But it's usually less severe than trying to hold a car up with your head, so it's the lesser evil.

That's why I usually recommend the Hard Dog Sport for street use. It's a little lower but it's also further back. It's a good compromise.