ROPS - Roll Over Protection System - ROLL CAGE

[dapinky]

This has been discussed at length on a few occassions on this very forum, and there will always be stong opinions on the 'usefulness' of these things (as well as the aesthetics of them).

To the best of my knowledge, no-one has ever actually 'tested' the hoops in a real world environment - ie, flipped their car over to see if they stand up to the impact......

.... likewise, the 2 'known' sets of hoops (LGM and Kutching) were both designed and built by people who know what they are doing in this field, using appropriate materials and fixing points, to maximise the protection that they offer, whilst still allowing full use of the hood mechanism, and without ruining the looks of the car (unless you are a total purist who hates anything sticking out).

Unlike the cosmetic bits of trim which are available for the MX5 etc (which have the potential to break and cause injury in the event of a roll-over).

I think that it is harsh to call either of these hoops a bit of tin which will break, but I also accept that there are those who don't wish to trust an unknown quantity.

I have a set on my car - they were one of the first things I bought when I got my first Elan, and have then added them to my second one..... if I ever get another, I will fit a third set etc etc.

Elans are not top-heavy, and it isn't a usual experience to put one on it's roof - but it HAS been done on a few ocassions.

Just ask G-UK if he would have an Elan without a set of hoops fitted, and you'll get a strong answer (he accepts that he was extremely well looked-after on the day in question, with more than a small amount of luck thrown in).

8-9 years ago there was a report of a car crash near where I was working (even though I was no longer on the Traffic department at that time), and it involved an Elan and a Peugeot.... no actual collision between them, but the Elan had to take avoiding action to miss the car doing an oncoming overtake. Instinctively, the driver swerved to his left, 2 wheels into a grass verge (at 42mph, according to calculations), and the car flipped over. The driver (sole occupant) was killed (dead upon arrival of ambulance).

I was asked to do the Forensic Vehicle Examination due to the fact that i had some knowledge of the car in question.

No contributary faults were found on either car, and the braking/steering systems were all good (the car was totally stock).

The Coroner made mention of the 'lack of accident protection' in an Elan in a similar event, but praised the protection available if the car stayed upright.....

So, everyone will make up their own mind, but I would rather 'hope' that a well-engineered but untested metal bar will offer a little more protection than my baseball cap, should it ever happen to me.

[Fredjohn]

Lots of comments above re suitability or otherwise of different "roll bars", HOWEVER:

You may be interested to know that 2 friends of mine used to hill climb an M100 in the Paul Matty Series: they currently use a 60's Elan.

It may be well worth speaking to them to see what they used (if anything) and if so from where it was sourced. They (well Steve: his wife just drove, but used to beat him!!) may well also have suggestions on what other things to help you hill climb. eg I know he fitted Wilwood front brakes ilo standard.

I will PM you his contact details if required.

Good luck.

[Simon_P]

Dave,

Just 3 short points
Only you have made a reference to a bit of tin that will break.
You attribute Expert knowledge to the makers of the hoops. To my knowledge neither have made that claim. Im sure that you mean experienced amateurs There is a world of difference!

As ex traffic plod you will know that proportionately few cars roll in accidents and there are a lot of shunts. Crash tests are done extensively for shunts, and there is a zone around the head within which there mustn't be any hard things. Hence the "excellent protection" to which you refer.

It isn't just about roll protection, and I haven't offered an opinion on that.

Each to their own - as an experienced amateur I'll stay without.

[Kathryn]

I'd like some hoops but sadly can't afford them.
I'll watch Phil's Boxster roll cage project with interest though - if someone could come up with a more widely available (and cheaper) alternative that would be great.

[Saltire]

Minters

You might want to approach a small company local to me, T R Lane in North Woodchester. They produce a wide range of roll hoops and bars for the MX5 and might do you a custom one for the M100. Could be worth a call.

[dapinky]

Simon,

The reference to a 'bit of tin' was purely poetic license on my part - no intention to suggest that anyone had ever actually stated them to be made as such.

I fully accept that few cars roll - but those that do are far better at protecting the occupants if there is a metal roof with suitable strengthening attached - and the worst for occupant protection are soft-tops with no roll protection......nuff said.

Knowing both Marie and Simon, I'm fairly sure that neither of them would ever claim to be 'expert'..... but only due to their nature of not blowing their own trumpets. I would have no qualm in stating that both of them are more than qualified to consider themselves experts in their fields, and certainly in the case of Simon, his CV speaks for itself - anyone who designs and builds vehicle systems for the events he does HAS to have some expertise, otherwise the WRC wouldn't be FIA compliant!

If you wish to stay without, then the odds are highly in your favour that you'll never need them anyway, so no problem. Personally, I would rather have an insurance policy I never need to claim on - but this thread was started as the OP NEEDS them in order to use the car as he wishes, and not just a drive out on a sunny day.

[CalElan]

Having fitted a new screen to the Elan - it makes you painfully aware how thin those window pillows are..
-
I primarily want some hoops so I can take the car around some tracks - I have no desire to 'race' - I just think it would be a cool thing to do to take the Lotus around Laguna Seca.

[clemo]

Having fitted a new screen to the Elan - it makes you painfully aware how thin those window pillows are..
-
I primarily want some hoops so I can take the car around some tracks - I have no desire to 'race' - I just think it would be a cool thing to do to take the Lotus around Laguna Seca.

Was this not possible on the Amiga 64 computer computer game ...

Elan . Esprit challenge ?

[Simon_P]

If you are going around a track you will also be wearing a helmet, so banging your head on a roll bar in a crash probably won't cause head injuries - Altogether a different proposition.

[CalElan]

Having fitted a new screen to the Elan - it makes you painfully aware how thin those window pillows are..
-
I primarily want some hoops so I can take the car around some tracks - I have no desire to 'race' - I just think it would be a cool thing to do to take the Lotus around Laguna Seca.

Was this not possible on the Amiga 64 computer computer game ...

Elan . Esprit challenge ?

I've driven it numerous times in computer games.. hence the desire to do it in real life..

[steve matthews]

I took the Elan out this past Holiday with top up, something I seldom do. Thinking about this topic I look up and left (Fed. car) and see thin pieces of metal.
Some larger than others riveted together with protruding rounded ends. This I think to my self will do damage to my skull in the event of a
rollover. Those rather smooth large pipes behind me might give me a bump but at least wont be sticking out of my skull.

Just my thoughts

[chrisP]

As CalElan said the windscreen pillars are ridiculously thin and will move around without the screen in place. Why they were not at least a formed tube rather than the u section is anyone's guess. But i suppose rollover protection 30 years ago was not really a consideration.
Chris

[Simon_P]

Roll over protection isn't really a consideration it isn't needed often and comes at the expense of a serious head injury in a normal crash. Hence most convertible cars don't have roll over protection.