Original Works Roll Cages

[Isimmo]

Been having a few in-depth conversations with Jay about Works Roll Cages, I'm pretty sure they are now forbidden from competition because of the material they were made of. (They, and again, I stand to be corrected, were thinner than todays cages and made out of an aluminium/alloy). Most of the pictures I have of rally car interiors were from the Sutton collection, which raises more questions than answers, as I'm not sure DS used the works cages, or, if in fact the cage has been changed since. So I've been on the hunt for some early 80's photos where you can get a half decent view of a cage. But without much success. Any chance any of you good folk have any information on these, mainly to help Jays build.

Many thanks in advance

Ian

[Alpha]

Yes the original cages were aluminium and currently not permitted in competition.
Some of the Sutton cars were Gartrac shells and I think the cage layout differs from that of the Matter shells of the proper works cars.

[Cornholio]

I have a copy of the Coupe quattro homologation pages which details a number of rollcages, I'll post the information on Monday when i get back tro work (which is where I left it...)

[Cornholio]

This is for the Group A Coupe Quattro

Homologation date 1 Jan 1986

First cage
Rollcage by Winfried Matter. Material Al ZN Mgl (which I'd assume is an Aluminimum Alloy)
External diameter 40mm, wall thickness 3mm
Includes passenger compartment side bars and extensions down along the inner wings to the slam panel

Second cage
Rollcage by Winfried Matter. Material Al ZN Mgl
External diameter 40mm, wall thickness 3mm

Third cage
Rollcage by OMP Racing S.A.S. Genova, Italy. Material 25 CrMo 4
External diameter 40mm, wall thickness 1.4mm

Homologation date 1 Jan 1987

First cage
Rollcage by Winfried Matter. Material 25 CrMo 4
External diameter 40mm, wall thickness 1.5mm

Homologation date 1 Jan 1992
"The homologation of aluminimum or light alloy rollcages is cancelled"

[Isimmo]

Many thanks for that James..
VBR
Ian

[LYT4X]

Aluminium cages are certainly banned for motorsport use but I'm still investigating the acceptability (or otherwise) of the tubular aluminium members at the front (ahead of the suspension) and was on the phone with an MSA scrutineer for an hour and a half last night about this very thing.

I have had several e-mails from Winnfred Matter himself regarding a cage for my own project (he is now resident in China in a Bernie Ecclestone style of role) and unfortunately, his company (Gmbh) disappeared in the early 90's. It now tentatively exists as 'Matter (France)'. They do not have any of the original drawings for the type 85 cages and cannot make anything other than a basic (generic) 6-point cage.

[Cornholio]

These people still seem to do one for the type 85

http://www.customcages.co.uk

[Puglife]

Custom Cages took a long time getting back to me regarding a full multipoint weld in for my UR..... needless to say i wasnt impressed with customer service. Quality of product is great but there was little interest on their behalf for my custom.

I certainly would never use an Aluminium cage in the recreation or anycar, Mild steel in 40mm/2mm wall would be fine. I will refrain from the £800 or so that some Audi companies charge for a 6point recreation cage.... Custom constructed ones work out cheaper with customised points.

[Audi Derek]

Originally Posted by Puglife

Custom Cages took a long time getting back to me regarding a full multipoint weld in for my UR..... needless to say i wasnt impressed with customer service. Quality of product is great but there was little interest on their behalf for my custom.

I certainly would never use an Aluminium cage in the recreation or anycar, Mild steel in 40mm/2mm wall would be fine. I will refrain from the £800 or so that some Audi companies charge for a 6point recreation cage.... Custom constructed ones work out cheaper with customised points.

Jay You have to use seemless steel tubing at least 34mm (36mm I found to be best) in diameter with a 3mm wall its about £48 for a 3m length..

[Booty]

Customcages are a complete joke when it comes to customer service. I sent at least a dozen emails to them, called on numerous occasions and also had a friend do the same for his project....all to no avail. They do apparently make a SWB and LWB type 85 cage but just try getting them to answer the phone. That said though the last cage fitted into the Sutton shell ( Malcom Wilsons car ) was a Customcages cage as they made two. One for that car and one for a friend of mine, Dave Wynns recreation ( his car will be one of the very best when complete as he spent months at Suttons working with them on Wilsons ex car and one day it will be revealed, the attention to detail is immense) and having seen both they are very very good, if not identical. Shame their customer service is shite.