Roll Cage for a '61 Grantura

[Granny Fan]

Hi there,

Been trawling tinterweb for info on roll cages for a '61 Grantura, found a few articles. From an FIA article regarding the age, it points to either a 38mm (inch and a half) 2.5mm thick or 41mm (inch and 5/8) 2mm thick.

It was an old article, is it still relevent?
http://www.fia.com/resources/documents/8950658__ap...

Your thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

All the best.

Jay

[Fiscracer]

I believe the current regs are at

http://argent.fia.com/web/fia-public.nsf/5BE6AD18A...

I'm not sure why you would need an FIA cage as I don't believe a 61 Grantura was never homologated? If you go to Rollcentre, or Safety Devices they do them off the shelf for early TVRs or just go to a specialist who can get it certificated.

[Granny Fan]

Thanks for link, 61 Grantura has a FIA Recognition number 32.

[Fiscracer]

Granny Fan said:

Thanks for link, 61 Grantura has a FIA Recognition number 32.

Not sure what that means.

I was under the impression that TVR's first foray into international competition in period was the Le Mans entry. So what spec is the 61 Grantura - torsion bar and MGA or Climax engine?

[thegamekeeper]

Almost 50 years to the day Mark Donohue eventually to drive in F1 for Penske finished 25th in the Sebring 12 hours in a torsion bar suspension, 1622cc MGA engined TVR Grantura Mk2a. Prior to that Keith Aitcison/Colin Escott in 1961 Goodwood RAC Torist Trophy. Peter Bolton (TVR driver at 1962 Le Mans) entered RAC Rally in Grantura, Arnold Burton of tailoring fame 1961 Tulip Rally and same in 1962 to name but a few pre 1962 Le Mans internationa events

[jellison]

Maybe those fia types will give anything a doc - if you blind them with enough bumph.

My cage was a tight squeeze to get it! Still need a few tweeks.

Edited by jellison on Friday 16th March 11:21

[Granny Fan]

FIA Recog no' 32, is the mk 2a with a 1588cc mga lump with torsion bar set up, etc etc.

Jon, what size tubing have you used, is it a six point cage, have you made your body bolt on or bonded?

Cheers.

[jellison]

Granny Fan said:

FIA Recog no' 32, is the mk 2a with a 1588cc mga lump with torsion bar set up, etc etc.

Jon, what size tubing have you used, is it a six point cage, have you made your body bolt on or bonded?

Cheers.

My Cage is full FIA spec - not sure what size (made top company in Holland for Espers Grantura a couple years back) 200 rear end like my Griff (no butchering to make it a 400 for me).

Need the base plates changed for my different shaped pads for th emain part and differnt back bars (rear attachment in slightly different position, wider and a bit further back (as they all are) and a cross bar, plus get door bars. Hopefully be done in next month.

Don't want it bonded. It will be bolted on. It has two extra pads to secure it in more (one further down the footwell on the outside and on on the inside rear opposite the b-post one.

Edited by jellison on Monday 26th March 10:09

[Granny Fan]

looks quite substantial 42mm to 45mm I guess. Be interesting getting in and out with a door bar, better start practising yoga!
Cheers for now.

[jellison]

Yep will be tight! Sometimes being on the shorter side helps.

I have alot of practice from the TR's.

Plus the steer wheel comes off.

Edited by jellison on Monday 26th March 10:11

[Granny Fan]

Here lies the problem, I'm 6'2".
Lowered floor, resiting pedal box and trying to get cage as far back as possible so the seat will go back to the rear bulkhead, is what I'm thinking.

[jellison]

Granny Fan said:

Here lies the problem, I'm 6'2".
Lowered floor, resiting pedal box and trying to get cage as far back as possible so the seat will go back to the rear bulkhead, is what I'm thinking.

Must be v.tight for you if that size. have seen floors dropped (fisc's), but no fan of it, pedal box as far forward should sort the legs out, but then arm might be the issue (too tight).

It is just a tidler of a car! I have a dished Momo in mine. Safer too in a BIG hit.

I have even raise the front of the footwell level with the cross bar (honeycombe and a think skim of glass).

Short arses

[jellison]

Cage I got was useless (apart from the 45mm rear hoop). How it ever fitted in a Grantura is beyond me. Front to back tubes when in where so far back from where they should beand too far inboard (you hit you knuckles just turning the wheel (and a small / medium race one!). All going in the bin, bar re hoop. Get a custom job. Odd when it came out of a Grantura (must have been bloody weird!)!

[V8 GRF]

I'd suggest you have a word with Nigel Reuben.

www.nigelreubenracing.com

[jellison]

V8 GRF said:

I'd suggest you have a word with Nigel Reuben.

www.nigelreubenracing.com

I know Nigel, he does not do cages - gets them done outside.

Discussing with a few well know caged people.

[heightswitch]

Thats strange. he made one for me, and a couple for some mates cars?

N.

[Granny Fan]

Had a chat with Nigel the other day re FIA roll cages, lowering floors etc, extremely helpful, sounds like he has alot of experience in these matters. Going to pop up and see him some time.
Also need to get some dampers, chatted to various people on matter, had opinions on Spax( slightly to long?), Avo(not very good quality?), Koni classic(not adjustable?)Any input would be appreciated.

Cheers.

[jellison]

heightswitch said:

Thats strange. he made one for me, and a couple for some mates cars?

N.

Ah fair do's. Are you driving it around yet?

Getting mine doen by Caged of Frome.

[62GRANTIII]

Caged made an excellant job of the cage in IMC's Le Mans Grantura III
It was made to fit very snugly down A post, so as not to hinder use of right leg on throttle !
Ian B

[jellison]

62GRANTIII said:

Caged made an excellant job of the cage in IMC's Le Mans Grantura III
It was made to fit very snugly down A post, so as not to hinder use of right leg on throttle !
Ian B

I discussed this with IMC last year. Actually, he bent pipe (copper housing type) sort of thing at home to the exact shape then knowing the extra to add to each pipes outside diameter they then took all of these to them (rather than the car!) and they bent accordingly and gave him back all the bits. I got the impression they would not fancy doing it that way again. Loverly job but not seen anyone else get their cagesfront legs actually set inside the front A posts molding - massive of extra work.

You can use 38mm x 2.5mm tube (fia regss) or 40mm x 2mm for any or all parts of the cage, which helps in getting it as tight to the doors A post as is feasible without going to the extent IMC did (would have cost Alot more for a cage company to do this (he had the time))!

With the seat rotated a fraction clockwise so you legs come at the pedal box at a nicer angle you should clear the front post well if it is hard agianst the start of the door opening.