This will be the 6th cage that Ive built, and the last Andy. But that was what I said about the last one.

I build them to CAMS specs, plus extra braceing because I hate fully seam welding a shell.

This car wont be able to compete at cams events, but a cams cage keeps every one happy.

Having seen a rally driver drown when they went off-road into a dam, I'd much rather have an old-style cage than a current CAMS one. They're damm near impossible to get in and out of quickly.

Thats awful, and very sad to witness the death of any one, be it in motorsport or not.

 

I totally agree, being trapped in a crashed car would be a nightmare for whatever reason.

We all try to make our sport as safe as possible, but as much as we love it. Its still dangerous.

New grill has arrived and the shell is on the spit.

These cars are so easy to work on. There is no hidden sheet metal brackets under 3 layers of metal.

What you see is what you get,

This is your own home garage i take it?

I spend so much time in it, It could be my home.

 

The floor pan on the corolla is wider than the celica. Making fitting the celica IRS subframe very easy.

Once the spring hanger is removed, Its the prefect spot for the subframe mounts

looks like the shed is nice and well set up.

 

you are making this look too easy..

The frame looks heavy!!! :lol:

Looking good Craig.

Thanks Justin, The body shells on the Celica and Supra really are quite complicated to work on and modify.

This Corolla really is easy.

 

Cheers Chris, Everything looks heavy to you.

When am I getting the KE70 to try out my new motorsport scales.

Having seen a rally driver drown when they went off-road into a dam, I'd much rather have an old-style cage than a current CAMS one. They're damm near impossible to get in and out of quickly.

 

Thats bloody crazy. Id much rather be in a birdcage than an old alloy - one door bar, no carlos bar, no roof cross cage. Ive had my fair share of big hits, let me tell you, its not hard to jump out of the small gap you have once you have to. Ive seen people break pelvis' from in sufficient door bars bending or just missing tree stumps, people have to be cut from cars because of no carlos bar to stop the roof coming towards them. The pros of having a solid cage far out weigh the cons of having one.

 

Interestingly, where was this drowning? it hasn't happened in recent times, atleast in AUS. The ripple effect from cams having a hernia over it would be felt right down to you and me.

It was last time I visited Cape Town actually, I suppose early 2000s. I went out to spectate on a rally (one I used to compete in) with the son of the guy I rallied with, and someone just had a simple accident turn very bad.

 

Building the Celica I'm helping with atm has shown me how hard they are to get in and out of, but it should just be a matter of personal risk assessment.

Ive found seating position makes a big differance to getting your legs in and out of the door opening, even with a double cross and carlos bar.

The rwd Celicas have a low roof line and a high floor pan which makes thing a bit harder.

Sitting in a celica is like sitting on the floor with your legs out in front. In contrast, sitting in a Datsun 1600 or Escort is a bit like sitting at the dinning table and are easy to get in and out of even with the smaller door opening.

Sitting in a celica is like sitting on the floor with your legs out in front. In contrast, sitting in a Datsun 1600 or Escort is a bit like sitting at the dinning table and are easy to get in and out of even with the smaller door opening.

Never a truer word was spoken!

 

You can't beat a small-medium sedan I reckon. Stripped out just like you have is the ideal way to build any motorsport car and just put back what you need.

All the junk has been removed, a few more rust repairs and seam stiching.

The sub frame has some mods.

I should have the mounts made and fitted this weekend.

Started the mock up before final welding to ensure correct angles at ride height and clearance.