What is a "roller"?

[Shep]

Hi folks,

Probably a stupid question with an obvious answer, but here goes anyway...

Is there a common perception of what constitutes a formula car "roller"?

Okay, it's generally a rolling chassis (wheels, suspension ARB's, dampers, springs, etc) that comes without an "engine", but with the transaxle. But what about all of the other parts needed to make a complete car? Is it determined on a case-by-case basis between buyer and seller?

Maybe it's easier to ask what an "engine" comprises?

I would assume the following components are a given to be included with a roller: chassis, suspension arms, wheels, shocks, steering rack, brake system, electrical harness, links, radiator(s), body panels, seat, steeering wheel, shifter, pedals, ARB's and linkage, fuel cell and vent line, sump tank, oil pan if it's specific to the car, etc.

I'm more curious about the following: instruments/gauges, starter, starter shaft/mechanism (if applicable), clutch, clutch linkage (if applicable), fire bottle system, (harness) belts, battery, water/oil hoses and lines, coil.

Am I about 50/50 in the second group?

For my CF, the engine/motor was in the car when I bought it and has been rebuilt by a local race shop. Therefore I'm not familiar with what one gets when one buys a "complete" motor from Ivey, Justice, etc. The motor comes carb-to-pan with prepped flywheel and distributor? And that's what slips into a "roller"?

Thanks in advance,
Erik

[formulasuper]

"Is it determined on a case-by-case basis between buyer and seller?"
Shep, I would say your question is your best answer. Seems to vary with car & seller.

[D.T. Benner]

Bought a car once that was missing everything from the roll bar back. That was a "Wheel Barrow" and a car with no suspension is a "slider"

[Ian Lenhart]

Bought a car once that was missing everything from the roll bar back. That was a "Wheel Barrow" and a car with no suspension is a "slider"

I always thought a slider was a car that was missing the engine and the gearbox but included the suspension and uprights.

I normally assume when someone suggest "roller" it usually means minus engine (bottom end, head, intake, carb, flywheel). I do however think it should include the headers, clutch, pan if a stressed pan, starter, and what every misc. stuff that might be unique to the chassis.

Ian

[Keith Carter]

Definitely a case by case basis. I would constitute a roller as a car in the state the owner wants to keep the engine and everything that goes with it when it's yanked. So the clutch, carb, starter, etc.... you'd be on your own to replace.

[Shep]

Thanks guys,

Kinda what I thought, but I wondered if there was some "standard". I like Ian's assumption as a buyer. (and thanks - I'd forgotten to list the header).

[D.T. Benner]

You mean like what you" Assume" when you read the car for sale add that sayes- "top car maintained by a pro operation" and end up with a whipped "Rent a Racer" that was jumped over every curb on every track by Johnny Go-Kart and then put up for sale? Boy do I know a bunch of people who have bought those dogs because they "assumed" to much.