12 replies to this topic

[Mapleleafrag]

I have an 86 mini Mayfair, I bought it a few years ago as a project and I have now got the time to get on with it. When I bought it, it had a roll cage fitted and bucket seats. what I want to know is would I be better off removing the cage or to just leave it as it is? I am not planning to race it it is just a rebuild hobby. The seats are Cobra bucket seats and are in quite good condition. There is no back seat in it at the moment. Again not sure if I should keep the seats or put a new full set in it.

[Alex_B]

Roll cages generally are only useful in a situation where you are properly strapped into a bucket seat with a helmet. They become more dangerous when you are using a standard 3 point belt and/or a standard seat and run the risk of making contact between your head and the cage in an accident. That being said lots of people do run cages in road cars and have had no issue, but you need to weigh up the risks and whether is is worth it for you. I am planning to fit a half cage in my Mazda Mx5 because of the lack of roof and will likely run that with a standard seat and belt, and in my fiberglass bodied mini I ran a full cage with full halo bucket seat and 6 point belts on the road.

[mab01uk]

Notify your insurance company as some won't insure a road car with a roll cage fitted as they usually suspect you may use the car in competition events. Some insurance companies will just charge more when informed a cage is fitted but you must declare it as with all non-standard modifications to be legally covered.

As a minimum fit the proper roll cage foam protection (not standard foam pipe insulation !!) on any parts of the cage that a persons head or crash helmet could make contact with, available from most good race/competition suppliers:-

https://www.merlinmo...comparisons-301

 

If you decide to remove the cage do it before carrying out any paintwork or interior trimming as fitting and removing cages can prove a difficult task without causing accidental damage in the confined space of a Minis interior !

eg. The rear cage angled legs normally need strapping together tightly with strong ratchet straps to aid removal through the door opening.

Edited by mab01uk, 03 April 2022 - 03:57 PM.

[stuart bowes]

I suppose firstly if you do take it out, there's the bonus that you could sell it on and make a few quid to spend on something else instead

 

but personally if it was me (depending if you ever plan to use the back seats I guess) i would lean towards leaving it in, keep the buckets, stick in some proper harnesses. not only does it make the car safer pending padding and well fitted belts, it looks cooler anyway (totally subjective of course) it also stiffens the car up which improves handling and improves the efficiency of the suspension setup

 

each to their own opinions though obviously,  everything you could ever think of and more has been done already to minis over the years, your choices are pretty much endless

Edited by stuart bowes, 03 April 2022 - 05:07 PM.

[PoolGuy]

 it also stiffens the car up which improves handling and improves the efficiency of the suspension setup

This is the biggest benefit of a roll cage, most of the tubing in modern race cars isn't there in case it's crashed, it's there for performance benefits. 

[beardylondon]

I second that on the stiffness, I've had a 6 point Safety Devices roll cage in my Mk1 for 22 years, with 3 point regular seat belts, never had a problem and the insurance co have never has an issue either.  You just need a decent broker like Adrian Flux who will use an underwriter who doesn't have an issue with modified cars. If I were restoring again, I may not put it in, as it does mess up the originality.  But each to their own I guess, pros and cons as above...

 

 

 

 it also stiffens the car up which improves handling and improves the efficiency of the suspension setup

This is the biggest benefit of a roll cage, most of the tubing in modern race cars isn't there in case it's crashed, it's there for performance benefits. 

 

Edited by beardylondon, 04 April 2022 - 09:17 AM.

[bpirie1000]

Suppose it depends what you are using the car for.....

Also how many people you take about in the car...

Also depends how tall you are...

Eitherway.. enjoying the mini family is the fun bit.. regardless what the car looks like sounds like or performs like...

[Cooperman]

Roll cages are for serious competition where the risk of rolling the car is a distinct possibility.

Unless you drive in a manner where rolling is a real consideration, a roll cage is not only unnecessary, it is unwise.

With a roll cage a crash helmet is advised, or at least a set of proper 4-point full-harness seat belts. Those belts, if correctly installed, render the car a 2-seater. Of course, for competition the seats must be bolted in position and not swivel forward for rear access. If you do have an accident and hit your head on the roll cage you will get a very nasty sick headache.

[Icey]

If you’ve had a road car with a cage in then you’ll know bashing your head while getting in and out really bloody hurts. Now do that at 30/40/50 mph.

If you’ve had a road car with harnesses in you’ll know it’s a bloody pain getting in and out. They’re hot in summer and to be effective need to be very tight, making long journeys more uncomfortable.

I see neither as suitable for a pure road car. If you’re worried about safety, drive a modern car.

[stuart bowes]

Are we talking about a full on 6 point cage, or just a rear roll hoop?

 

as to comfort and practicality of harnesses, you don't have to have them fully tight tight just for casual driving, you can give yourself a little slack..  Just pull them tight when things are more exciting.. you will quickly learn to pull the door shut before clicking yourself in though, and not leaving anything out of arms reach

 

what it really boils down to is, are you planning on driving it often (probably better to get rid) or is it your fun car which you'll give a bit of a pasting around country lanes every few weeks or so (keep the cage and buckets)

 

regardless of cages and harnesses I wouldn't want to do a long journey in ANY small car let alone a mini, I'd get all cramps and pains let alone the motorway being a bit naughty.  that's what the volvo's for

Edited by stuart bowes, 04 April 2022 - 05:03 PM.

[beardylondon]

Roll cage foam is easy to get and very cheap (for non FIA stuff), and will give some protection

Edited by beardylondon, 04 April 2022 - 08:02 PM.

[sonscar]

Slightly slack harness,front impact,forehead to front cage hoop.Outcome may be less than ideal.Your choice,Steve..

[stuart bowes]

well this is why im asking, is it a 6 point cage, or just a rear roll hoop

 

if it's just the rear bit which is probably more common anyway, you're never gonna bang anything on it.. if it's not, bung some padding on it

 

lets be honest though, frontal impact in a mini, banging your head is just one of a long list of concerns

 

was it cooper that said 'it's so agile if you crash it it's your own fault' ?

Edited by stuart bowes, 04 April 2022 - 08:07 PM.