Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Classic Morgans (pre-CX) Rear roll bar for a + 4

To clarify the point, a small hoop extension to a rollbar is now not allowed under MSA or FIA regs (where fitted they have had to be removed) - some details of the discussion prior to this year's meetings can be found at http://www.mogsport.net/info/rollbars.html - so the seat has to be lowered to get the required clearance. It is unclear whether a full width bolt-on extension may be allowed - may simply depend on the scrutineer on the day...

Most in the race series use the Safety Devices rollbars/roll cages which fit under the hood or hard top without problem.

Thanks, I'll try Mogsport - but what I'm looking for is a stainless bar for road only, I have no interest in track use.

Thanks for the help Chris. Can one lower a stock Morgan seat that much?


Road Morgans do not roll. However, if you want one, it is best to get something that will protect you so it must be higher than your head. As your top will prevent you using a roll bar that high, your solution, as Chris notes, is to lower your seat.

Lorne

Well, I don't think that many people sit so tall in even the standard seat that their head is above the top of the normal Safety Devices roll bar. The problem principally occurs when a helmet is worn, which adds significantly to the overall height. So for road use I don't think that many would have to lower the seat.

But, for competition, the solution is to put in a race seat and secure it on the floor not on the cross members (but then you have to replace the floor with aluminium sheet of a minimum thickness).

Chris,

It depends on the model. I'm tall but I never thought about changing the seats. With the Roadster II I do. You sit much higher in a Series II than in the S I. As far as I know there was no wood under the rails in the S I but in my new car I touch the hood frame with my head as the wooden parts have returned. I will try to find a way to lower the seat. Getting rid of the wood is easy but I assume the seat's new position has to do with the new suspension and if I just removed the wooden parts I would not be able to push the the seat far enough back.

Roderich

Interesting. I don't think I have seen any Roadster IIs so hadn't realised there was a difference. I wonder why they have changed that. Presumably in the SI you could get the seat far enough back without the wooden blocks?

I assume it has to do with the new springs and/or the anti-tramp bars that you can't get the seats far enough back without wooden blocks now?????

Roderich

"Road Morgans do not roll" ...?

I wouldn't think I could induce a roll in normal driving on the road - I'm not in any way that sort of driver! What interests me is the additional protection offered in case of accident, as rolling over can be induced by side or oblique impacts, or if forced off the road. Also a roll bar would presumably provide more of a safety refuge area to protect against impact or intrusion. Of course this is all based on what seems to be common sense - or perhaps conjecture - as I don't know what crash experience there is with these devices. It is not about cosmetics, though IMO the stainless ones do look good on the car.

I tried to find some information on "German" roll bars for Morgans but in the article on the Morgan Continental Championships they didn't mention the supplier but the prices:

Roll bar, EASY to fit and to remove, 350 DM = 175 Euro = 120 GBP.
That was 1993. Fitiing 280 DM = 140 Euro = 100 GBP.

Between 1993 and 2007 something went terribly wrong...

I still maintain that A 'BoneDome' is a cheaper alternative for a 'Road Going' Mog, the chance of a 'side impact' turning you over is negligable because of the distance between the axles and the 'possible' point of impact; more likely to tip the car towards the on - coming vehicle and making side impact to the body/head more probable.

I know a 'helmet' in a 'Mog' is considered 'OTT' but it doesn't look 'Out of Place' and has other advantages. I'm also a Stirling Moss devoute.