Rolled Avanti!

[mfg]

What's the actual reason Raymond Loewy wanted 'his' new Avanti to be equipped with a roll bar?

 

[r1lark]

Publicity? Designing the first production car with a roll bar would be good press............and we know Raymond really liked good press. 

[mfg]

17 hours ago, r1lark said:

Publicity? Designing the first production car with a roll bar would be good press............and we know Raymond really liked good press. 

Makes sense, but no...there was a more 'engineering related' reason!

 

 

 

 

 

(?)

[Peddler]

The roll bar stiffened the fiberglass top and sides of the body.

[mfg]

28 minutes ago, Peddler said:

The roll bar stiffened the fiberglass top and sides of the body.

It certainly did.....but apparently there was another reason!....HINT....this 'reason' was eliminated from final design!!

[grobb284]

Removable center section of top, shown in some early sketches.

[mfg]

3 hours ago, grobb284 said:

Removable center section of top, shown in some early sketches.

Exactly!....Loewy initially wanted a removable forward roof panel(s), and thought a roll-type bar would be necessary for overall roof rigidity.

[studegary]

I believe that Gene Hardig felt it was necessary for both roll over protection and body integrity.  

[mfg]

19 hours ago, studegary said:

I believe that Gene Hardig felt it was necessary for both roll over protection and body integrity.  

No doubt!