Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Classic Morgans (pre-CX) Roll bar with type approval

In the next few days I'll place a order for a new Plus 4

Specification is almost finalized. There is one big thing to be clarified: and I want to have a roll bar fitted. The roll bar has to fit under the easy up hood. So the Librands would be our choice. The challenge in this case: this roll bar has no type approval.

Has anyone applied for a type approval of the Librands roll bar?

I was going to say that the chances of any official even thinking about checking type approval was zero and then I noticed where you are based.

It would be the manufacturers job to apply for type approval so you had better contact MMC via your dealer. Presumably all, sorts of tests would be required or at least some strength calculations.

As the Librands roll bar is not on the options list of MMC I don't think it could be possible to get an approval from them.

In case there is no approval for a modification of a car - and if you want to stay on the legal side - in Austria you have to apply for a single approval. For this the opinion of an expert is required (based on technical information like drawings, materials used).

The question is, whether anyone has already invested this effort and there exists documents which might be helpful.

At the risk of a thread drift here, the only approval I know of for roll bars is MSA/FIA approval for competition purposes.

It may be worth contacting Safety Devices who are the leading suppliers of Morgan roll bars to see if they have any suggestions


Arwyn

Safety Devices offers a roll bar with approval but this one doesn't fit under the easy up hood

When I bought my plus 4 back in 2010 I wanted to fit a roll bar that would allow me to do my yearly amateur hillclimbing but that could also stay during all year. I was advised against a low roll bar for two reasons: a) it wouldn't help much in case of roll over; b) it would be dangerous to use without a helmet, instead of saving your head it could very well be what kills you if your head hits it unprotected.

So I went for a tall roll bar split in two sections, the lower half is permanent, the upper half is fitted when needed. It isn't the prettiest thing, but does the job it was made for.

Under the hood is the problem.. The bar has to be above your head (helmet) on a line from the top of the cowl.

Some people use the Roll bar as the soft top hoop. but it would have to be the old type not an easy up!

I'd agree wth Mario that a roll bar has to protect you. A roll bar which is too short is worse than useless. Myself, personally, I'd rather spent a little more time fitting the hood over a properly fitted roll bar!

Arwyn

Thank you for your valuable thoughts!

My consideration was:
A low roll bar (like the road version of the Librands) is better than no roll bar IF the risk of unprotected banging the head against the bar can be prevented. For protection I would mount the headrests on the upper hoop.
Am I wrong with this consideration?



What is the difference between this solution with the lower half and the Librands road version?

I agree with Mario in that unless you are properly strapped in with a racing harness and wearing a helmet, then in the event of a crash you are much more likely to be injured by the roll bar than saved by it. Conventional seatbelts simply won't be able to locate the body securely.

For any form of motorsport, of course, it's a different matter, but for road use I would suggest a roll bar is not only unnecessary, it would be an additional avoidable risk factor.

Outside a racetrack, has anyone ever heard of or got a reference to a Morgan overturning in a road accident? I've certainly never heard of such a thing, and I've seen plenty of pictures of badly smashed-up Morgans from which the occupants survived pretty much unscathed. The Morgan in its natural state is a very safe structure to be in, without a roll bar.