Roll Bar

By David R. Meyers

The roll bar was made by "Auto Europe" in Birmingham, Michigan. Apparently someone associated with the company had an Elan, wanted a bar for track purposes, and produced a jig for it.  Now, a number of Elans in the Detroit area have the bar, along with others around the country (I met one gentleman from VA and one from MA at LOG 18 who both had one installed).

The installation is not very complicated but does require minimal drilling.  The roll bar attaches in five spots. It uses the existing outside seat belt mounting points on the driver and passenger sides of the car for the lower outside mounts.  The lower inner mounts are behind the cover that houses the rear speakers--These require some drilling.  The fifth mount is between/behind the seats in the top storage area (near the battery)--This also requires drilling.

The roll bar does not affect the use of the convertible top at all.  You may need to guide the two metal form
bars in the convertible top over the roll bar when opening and closing to help them clear.  However putting the top up and down is still only a one person job.

Auto Europe also has two other modifications I would highly recommend.  First is a short-shift kit.  The stock gear selector is long, and center position is slightly canted to the right (I assume due to most models produced being RHD).  The Auto Europe kit shortens the shifter and the throw and relocates center toward the driver.  No extra effort is required for throws, however "feel" is greatly improved.  

The second modification is a less-restrictive exhaust system.  It includes a new downpipe and a free-flowing stainless steel muffler.  I believe your choice of tips can be added.  I used a basic 3" round chrome tip that doesn't look a whole lot different than stock.  The difference this made in performance was definitely seat-of-the-pants.  Turbo lag is nearly gone and mid-range response is much better.  As for the sound: awesome!  Very throaty with a lot of "brap".  I have a video of a track day I did at Watkins Glen of the Elan on the back straight and couldn't believe how great it sounds.  It's more different outside the car than in.

If you have further questions, the person I dealt with was Paul Raley.  If he is not available, contact Eric Schick.  Eric is in car sales, but is a Seven nut and should point you in the right direction.  Last I knew, contact info was:

Auto Europe (Paul)
667 S Eton
Birmingham, MI 48009
248-645-6300

or

Auto Europe (Eric)
33828 Woodward Ave.
Birmingham, MI  48009
248-645-6300

I had my modifications done about two years ago, so you'll have to call for current prices and to see if they still produce these items any longer.  I can't find my invoice anywhere but think the roll bar was around $700, the shift kit $250 and the exhaust $350, but don't quote me on it.

I would also recommend NOT having Auto Europe paint the bar if they install it (it comes in primer).  They or whoever they had do the work painted it IN my car! I now play "find the overspray" all over my interior and my backlight every time I detail the car.  On the other hand, the gear shift and exhaust installs were top quality.  The welds on the exhaust are beautiful and I have had no rattles in over 4,000 miles.

Please contact me for any other information at David R. Meyers.

See also more pictures and info on the same Roll Bar write-up by Jim Manson

This picture shows one of 
the mounting points where the
seatbelt attaches to the body.