Lotus Elite Roll Cage

delta · 8 Oct 2008, 19:47 (Ref:2307014)

Hope this thread is ok with headmaster. Fellow 10/10 racer" Michael De Graves" and myself have decided its time to fit a full FIA spec roll cage in his Mk 1 Elite. I have found someone who will make me a cage but does anyone know if we can buy a cage off the shelf please.

Eddy V · 8 Oct 2008, 20:14 (Ref:2307036)

Heigo do offer one, will contact them tomorrow.

terence · 8 Oct 2008, 21:02 (Ref:2307076)

Fabricage in Cambridge.

**Peter Mallett** · 9 Oct 2008, 06:25 (Ref:2307308)

What are you going to mount it on? (Pictures of the Elan come to mind).

delta · 9 Oct 2008, 06:55 (Ref:2307321)

Thanks Eddy.Looks like Spa foram has become disscusion on points or electronic ignition isnt there a thead somewhere for that disscusion.

delta · 9 Oct 2008, 06:56 (Ref:2307322)

Can you PM a number please Terrance. Thanks for help. Brilliant.

simon drabble · 9 Oct 2008, 07:12 (Ref:2307328)

Delta as an Elite owner with an old style rollbar I will be interested to hear of your findings. Andrew McAlpine had a very smart one fitted into his one but I gather the cost was definately pre crunch!!

Eddy V · 9 Oct 2008, 07:19 (Ref:2307331)

Iain, just rang them and they promise to get back to me asap.

For the ignition thing, see the Ignition thread. (yes, I know, me being silly again)

terence · 9 Oct 2008, 07:32 (Ref:2307339)

Quote:

Originally Posted by delta

Can you PM a number please Terrance. Thanks for help. Brilliant.

DONE!!

zefarelly · 9 Oct 2008, 14:00 (Ref:2307581)

this could be merged with the scaffolding thread . . . .and the Rochdale thread

after seeing the elan at Spa I'm even more convinced the traditional elan route is poor design and my idea is better, but without turning it into a weighty barge it won't be a simple job

GBRM · 9 Oct 2008, 14:44 (Ref:2307613)

I can't recommend Custom Cages in Daventry more highly; made me a great one-off cage and at a reasonable price.

delta · 9 Oct 2008, 15:36 (Ref:2307644)

Thanks everyone will keep you posted on findings. Can you pm no please GBRM.

James Murray · 9 Oct 2008, 16:06 (Ref:2307664)

Regarding the Spa Elan and all other Elans for that matter, doesnt the cage bolt to the steel backbone chassis?

zefarelly · 9 Oct 2008, 17:02 (Ref:2307696)

yes it does, its more a question of what and how it gets there.

whats a 'reasonable' price ?

I've had 2 quotes of approx £1500 which is bespoke, I'd rather fit it myself from a kit, if I can get it made from my drawings as I don't currently have £1500, and most 'kits' are more like £500, which I do have (well sort of!)
it makes my efforts pay then

GBRM · 9 Oct 2008, 17:05 (Ref:2307698)

Delta - PM sent.

Eddy V · 9 Oct 2008, 19:55 (Ref:2307832)

Click image for larger version

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This is the Heigo cage for the Elan.

terence · 9 Oct 2008, 21:14 (Ref:2307884)

Obviously the biggest problem is the rear corner mounting,only F/Glass there,
it would need 2" tubing feeding out from the backbone to stop it moving inwards in a similar Spa shunt.

zefarelly · 10 Oct 2008, 07:57 (Ref:2308144)

doesn't look like the ultimate in side impact protection does it

James Murray · 10 Oct 2008, 08:17 (Ref:2308162)

Terry I thought thats how they were, the bottom of the cage coming out from the backbone behind the drivers seat and out to the edge of the bodywork. Its like this at the front also with a side intrusion bar between them.

Did the Spa car have a cage like in the above photo.

Mark Griffiths · 10 Oct 2008, 09:04 (Ref:2308198)

Looked at the cage in Malcolm Rickett's car at Donington. That had lateral reinforcing bars which picked up on plates attached to the backbone, whereas the Spa crash Elan looked as though the legs of the cage just bolted straight through the floor.

Are you allowed to mount the seat and belts to the cage? If not, I think I can see a scenario where the cage stays intact but the shell disintegrates anyway and the driver bounces around with seat mounts and belt anchoring points gone.

delta · 10 Oct 2008, 10:21 (Ref:2308262)

Been on the phone to the companies you have all sugested. There seems to be a bit of a hush when i mention Elite to them. They are all getting back to me today.Will let you know outcome

simon drabble · 10 Oct 2008, 10:22 (Ref:2308267)

I believe RW racing look after the McAlpine Elite and they put one in this summer which is very good - they will know.....

GBRM · 10 Oct 2008, 10:29 (Ref:2308268)

Custom Cages do do an Elite cage and from the diagram on their website (lovely little Elite they've used too http://www.customcages.co.uk/Rollcag...&type=Historic) it looks like you mount the seat on it.

simon drabble · 10 Oct 2008, 11:00 (Ref:2308279)

I am pretty certain that is the McAlpine car

zefarelly · 10 Oct 2008, 11:02 (Ref:2308280)

that looks very similar to my idea for the Roach-dahl . . . I was thinking of bolting to the tunnel under my feet and behind the seat, then bracing between the two under the car, the idea being, if you get a sideways punt the whole car moves with me in it rather than squishing me into the tunnel.

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