49 replies to this topic

[CityEPete]

I haven't even got seat belts in my Morris 1000, at least if I need to get out quick I can, lol

[Cooperman]

I really cannot understand how anyone can decide to get into classic cars and they worry because they don't meet modern safety standards.

 

You buy a classic for the retro driving experience and the engineering standards are a part of this experience. Otherwise buy a modern car with all the built-in safety.

 

For racing or rallying it is a different matter and historic competition does demand a compromise in terms of safety equipment. But then, the likelihood of crashing is much, much higher. When I rolled my Cooper 'S' on a forest stage on a national historic rally the full FIA cage and full-harness FIA belts worked fine, although I did have to buy a new roof panel! I also have fire-proofing and a rubber lined metal battery box cover to make it safer in the event of a big shunt on a rally. 

 

I would never consider a roll cage in a road classic as I don't drive with the intention of crashing and I drive more defensively on the roads. What is great is the retro feel of classic cars (not just Minis).

[Laurie]

I've driven an oap car on the road in relatively heavy modern traffic and motorway use years ago (car was 17 at the time) and agree without safety features you DO drive more defensively and carefully than you would otherwise.
I have a modern BMW mini as well and there's no way I'd drive the two the same way!
Roll cages outside of track day use look barmy imho, and as mentioned the safety features of one in an accident don't exist, not really

Edited by Laurie, 12 September 2017 - 02:14 PM.

[Cooperman]

I've driven an oap car on the road in relatively heavy modern traffic and motorway use years ago (car was 17 at the time) and agree without safety features you DO drive more defensively and carefully than you would otherwise.
I have a modern BMW mini as well and there's no way I'd drive the two the same way!
Roll cages outside of track day use look barmy imho, and as mentioned the safety features of one in an accident don't exist, not really

Absolutely correct.

[R32Egor]

wow - seems like the votes are in -- NO ROLL Cage   - it would add weight anyway

Thanks all

[Northernpower]

wow - seems like the votes are in -- NO ROLL Cage   - it would add weight anyway

Thanks all

Don't let us influence you, you make your own decision 

[nicklouse]

I had a cage in my road Mini but it was only a two seater as the rear cage had a diagonal. and I had side bars and a front cage. seats were buckets set low and 4 point harnesses.

 

daily driver for me and the then GF.  also used for 12 car events and navigational exercises occasionally followed by the Cops and pulled by them often. once for not wearing a seat belt. they thought I had some braces on. Plod did not have a good day that day.

 

I would not consider a cage that does not have a diagonal. so that would eliminate what you plan to use it for.

[R32Egor]

Just 1 last question - How hard is it to install a bolt in cage at a later date? After restoration maybe a few years later!

[Northernpower]

Just 1 last question - How hard is it to install a bolt in cage at a later date? After restoration maybe a few years later!

It's doable but you need to make sure you weld in some floor strengthening beforehand especially the ones inside the rear bins otherwise it'll be a waste of time.

[mk3 Cooper S]

Personally I would not drive a car with a roll cage without a helmet on and a seat harness.

I have heard of roll cages causing fatal head injuries for non helmet wearers in accidents that they would have walked away from. But likewise rollcages have saved many lives in completion cars.

Edited by mk3 Cooper S, 13 September 2017 - 11:46 AM.

[Cooperman]

I have to drive mine without a helmet on road sections of rallies and if I take it out to drive it for fun or to a show. I can't really wear a crash helmet going to, say, MITP  .

However, I don't have rear seats, I do have FIA belts and the cage is fully padded. Also I don't drive in such a way as to be likely to crash on the public roads.

 

It is hard to see why people would even consider a cage in a road-only car unless they intend driving in a 'licence-losing' way. If/when I want to go fast in a modern absolute sense I go out in my wife's BMW 325i or, on a long journey, in my 730D, both of which will do over 140 mph and give 0 - 60 in around 7 seconds. I certainly wouldn't want to try to make a 60-year-old designed classic car go at modern speeds.

[minimans]

As someone who was driving a mini from the age of 15 years old, I had my fair share of accidents due to youthful exuberance! I've rolled twice in a road car one involved a multiple roll down Box hill in Surrey.........Both without roll cages and I'm still here with all limbs and digits intact! The mini is a strong little box and the roof pillars are strong enough to hold the roof up in a roll over situation. I've also rolled in a race car WITH a cage and helmet and ended up in hospital with concussion from whacking my head on the side bar....................................

[Cooperman]

As someone who was driving a mini from the age of 15 years old, I had my fair share of accidents due to youthful exuberance! I've rolled twice in a road car one involved a multiple roll down Box hill in Surrey.........Both without roll cages and I'm still here with all limbs and digits intact! The mini is a strong little box and the roof pillars are strong enough to hold the roof up in a roll over situation. I've also rolled in a race car WITH a cage and helmet and ended up in hospital with concussion from whacking my head on the side bar....................................

It's called 'driving faster than you know how to' and is quite common in younger and less experienced drivers.

It is probably best if one falls into this group that they don't drive old classic cars until they gain experience and can appreciate toe 'retro-driving experience'.

 

Crashes in competition are a different matter as the idea is to drive as close to the limit as is possible and sometimes you exceed this limit.

[minimans]

 

As someone who was driving a mini from the age of 15 years old, I had my fair share of accidents due to youthful exuberance! I've rolled twice in a road car one involved a multiple roll down Box hill in Surrey.........Both without roll cages and I'm still here with all limbs and digits intact! The mini is a strong little box and the roof pillars are strong enough to hold the roof up in a roll over situation. I've also rolled in a race car WITH a cage and helmet and ended up in hospital with concussion from whacking my head on the side bar....................................

It's called 'driving faster than you know how to' and is quite common in younger and less experienced drivers.

It is probably best if one falls into this group that they don't drive old classic cars until they gain experience and can appreciate toe 'retro-driving experience'.

 

Crashes in competition are a different matter as the idea is to drive as close to the limit as is possible and sometimes you exceed this limit.

 

Quite right! And as I'm in my 60's now I don't tend to try out drive myself so much..............................

[ings]

I have some huge sparco seats in my mini and they give you the feeling to have a little bit of protection.

But if you take a seat you can almost not move...