VW Vortex - Volkswagen Forum banner
Cancel
Create thread New Garage Forums

Is there a passenger car that comes with a rollcage from factory?

Jump to Latest
1 - 20 of 43 Posts
K

koko12

· Registered
Joined
·
7,650 Posts
Discussion starter · #1 ·
The reason for this question is that a roll-cage seems logical to me considering the plethora of safety equipment most vehicles are equipped with now a days. While a lot of these safety equipment serve a purpose, they also make cars heavy, cumbersome and fuel thirsty, negating to a degree what they are supposed to do in the first place.
Roll-cages are used in all forms of professional 4 wheel motor-sports that I can think of, and they do so for a reason. The closest to this I can think of is RUFF integratiing roll-cages into some of their cars, but this cars are far from stock.
This is just for views
Image

Image
 
#4 ·
Re: Is there a passenger car that comes with a rollcage from factory? (koko12)

Porsche has been equipping certain performance/racing models with roll cages for many years now. i've seen various 924, 944, 968, and 911 variants that were equipped with cages right from the factory floor. the cages are actually made by Matter, and to tell you the truth they're really not worth it. a custom fab shop can make a safer cage than Matter can and for less money.
obin
Image
Image
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
#5 ·
Re: Is there a passenger car that comes with a rollcage from factory? (SMG)

With regards to the last two photos posted,
I was on my way along the 401 in Ontario when I was blown by a Porsche 993 GT3 towing its own race rubber in a trailer, no doubt on its way to Mosport. Interesting way of avoiding the purchase of a race truck and trailer.
Chris
 
#6 ·
Re: Is there a passenger car that comes with a rollcage from factory? (NightTrain EX)

Image

GT3 Clubsport
Image

Ferrari IIRC also offers a few, like the lightweight 360 etc. Liability becomes a problem in a small closed car with a cage, because if the driver/passenger does not wear a proper 5-point race harness and helmet at all times, there's a good chance of their head smacking the rollbar in a collision.
 
#7 ·
Re: Is there a passenger car that comes with a rollcage from factory? (koko12)

Most of today's vehicles are designed with a lot of strength in the chassis around the passenger compartment to begin with. Of course since they lack triangular braces they won't be as strong as a full cage, but you can't really add them and maintain easy ingress/egress.
Also remember that cages are designed to be used in concert with helmets and harnesses. Retractable 3-point seat belts allow enough body movement that your head can contact a cage.
That said, factory motorsports divisions have produced a few cages. You can buy a BMW Motorsports 3-series shell with a cage in it. It's a work of art, too.
 
#9 ·
Re: Is there a passenger car that comes with a rollcage from factory? (koko12)

Quote, originally posted by koko12 »
The closest to this I can think of is RUFF integratiing roll-cages into some of their cars, but this cars are far from stock.

Actually, the RUF cars that you're mentioning ARE stock. They're stock RUF cars.
Image

-Tim
 
#10 ·
Re: Is there a passenger car that comes with a rollcage from factory? (cstraw)

Quote, originally posted by cstraw »
With regards to the last two photos posted,
I was on my way along the 401 in Ontario when I was blown by a Porsche 993 GT3 towing its own race rubber in a trailer, no doubt on its way to Mosport. Interesting way of avoiding the purchase of a race truck and trailer.
Chris

Was it a silver 996 with black GT3 seats and the GT3 bodykit being followed by a silver 996 C4 with red MOMO seats, on June 13? I was running at a track event with those guys at mosport on the 14th and 15th. good drivers, they said they took the rapid transit approach after they crossed the canadian border
Image
 
#11 ·
Re: Is there a passenger car that comes with a rollcage from factory? (Zwoobah)

The RS200, or at least certain factory variants of it, had a rollcage which was actually integrated into the interior. For example, the bars that run alont the A-pillar where hidden behind the plastic cladding that runs along the pillars.
 
#12 ·
Re: Is there a passenger car that comes with a rollcage from factory? (Zwoobah)

Quote, originally posted by Zwoobah »
Ferrari IIRC also offers a few, like the lightweight 360 etc.

Yup. 360 Challenge Stradale had the factory option roll cage.
-R
 
#13 ·
Re: Is there a passenger car that comes with a rollcage from factory? (AKADriver)

Quote, originally posted by AKADriver »
Also remember that cages are designed to be used in concert with helmets and harnesses. Retractable 3-point seat belts allow enough body movement that your head can contact a cage.
.

+1 http://****************.com/smile/emthup.gif
without a helmet on, or REAL seat belts (5+ point harnesses), having a cage could be MORE dangerous than not having one...
 
#14 ·
Re: Is there a passenger car that comes with a rollcage from factory? (rx7racr)

Get this, a rollcage in the US is NOT LEGAL on public roads.
Quote, originally posted by rx7racr »

without a helmet on, or REAL seat belts (5+ point harnesses), having a cage could be MORE dangerous than not having one...


...And that's why.
 
#15 ·
Re: Is there a passenger car that comes with a rollcage from factory? (TRiAD)

Quote, originally posted by TRiAD »
Get this, a rollcage in the US is NOT LEGAL on public roads.


I'm not doubting you, but I'm wondering if you can find the documentation on that?
Is this just one of those "rarely enforced" rules?
I know that Rally Cars are supposed to be "street legal" but they all have cages, and my dad has a number of caged street cars. I know my dad has been stopped multiple times in his cars, and I was stopped once in my ClubRally car (cop gave it a thorough inspection on the side of the road) and neither of us were hassled...
 
#16 ·
Re: Is there a passenger car that comes with a rollcage from factory? (TRiAD)

Quote, originally posted by TRiAD »
Get this, a rollcage in the US is NOT LEGAL on public roads.

I challenge you to find such a statute in any state. It'd be impossible to define "roll cage" legally in such a way that would exclude all actual roll cages and permit all normal cars. Many cars have tubular support structures behind the interior panels. As pointed out above, the Jeep Wrangler has always had a very obvious roll cage.
Now, there are NHTSA regulations on the books for certain parts of the dashboard and interior to be padded. But those only cover newly manufactured cars, and as any racer knows, a roll cage can and should be padded in these areas as well.
 
#17 ·
Re: Is there a passenger car that comes with a rollcage from factory? (AKADriver)

Quote, originally posted by AKADriver »

and as any racer knows, a roll cage can and should be padded in these areas as well.

...and not just with pipe-insulation
Image
 
#19 ·
Re: Is there a passenger car that comes with a rollcage from factory? (AKADriver)

Quote, originally posted by AKADriver »

Or pool noodles!
Image

WOW - I'm glad I never thought of that back when I was looking for padding!
Image
 
#20 ·
Re: Is there a passenger car that comes with a rollcage from factory? (rx7racr)

Quote, originally posted by rx7racr »

WOW - I'm glad I never thought of that back when I was looking for padding!
Image

this guy did... and his helmet hit the metal! here's his crew chief and the chief tech inspector going over the safety requirements for the car after the accident:
Image

only use approved stuff for padding roll bars!
obin
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
1 - 20 of 43 Posts
About this Discussion
42 Replies
21 Participants
Last post:
LT1M21Stingray
VW Vortex - Volkswagen Forum
posts
85M
members
1.5M
Since
2001
A forum community dedicated to all Volkswagen owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about performance, builds, modifications, classifieds, troubleshooting, maintenance, new releases, and more!
Full Forum Listing
Explore Our Forums
The Car Lounge Golf IV & Jetta IV Golf III & Jetta III Golf II & Jetta II Golf IV/Jetta IV Parts