MG MGA Fitting a Roll Bar/Cockpit Extension BBS discussion at MG-Cars.net

MG MGA - Fitting a Roll Bar/Cockpit Extension

Fitting a Rollbar -- MGA As previously mentioned this car was involved in a horrific accident and written off by the insurers as a total wreck. So, after I bought it from the PO, 38 years ago, I set about restoring it with a licence to severely modify - or not. As I worked to restore the body I decided to remove the tonneau panel and provide a parcel space behind the two front seats. I simply cut the panel with a hacksaw and tin snips, turned a return-edge into the cockpit with a hammer and dolly and finished it off to be painted. This later facilitated the fitting of the rollbar. As you can see from the photos I followed the line of the long tonneau and the hood mounting studs. Some years later, when a 40ft. container nearly crashed off a truck onto me in the car, I decided a rollbar was the best safety option. I had the bar rolled from heavy steampipe, cut and shaped the straight angle struts so they could be welded to the bar upright sections and welded flat bars to the bottom ends. I fabricated angle cleats, made from stock angle bar, and welded these to the chassis (in the fashion of the Mk11 seatbelt mountings). (I was a welding instructor in a former life). The two are bolted together with high tensile bolts so the complete rollbar can be removed if necessary. The cross bar is fully welded both ends. The top mounting for lap sash belts are attached to lugs welded to the rollbar (see photo). I fitted an LED stoplight by cutting a slot into the bar, glued the light in place with silicone, pushed a wire up through the pipe via a small hole drilled into the pipe at its bottom edge, and connected into the rear stoplight circuit. This high level light is better seen by following vehicles – and therefore safer. The soft hood fits over the rollbar so the rollbar most probably will not comply with ‘competition’ height safety rules but I figure it is safer than nothing! In order to get the maximum height, I fitted the fibreglass hood in place, pushed the rollbar up until it just lightly touched, then cut and welded. It is a tight fit under each of the two hoods. I have modified the hood mounting to allow the soft hood to be fitted quickly and with minimum fuss. It cannot be carried in the car in the folded position as this space is now taken by the rollbar. I store the soft hood in my garage and fit it as necessary. This requires a degree of planning as, if you think it may rain, then you fit the hood before leaving on a trip, or get wet. I usually find it is the latter! The mounting brackets are from MGB and screwed to the body, the MGA hood frame brackets have been detached from the body and simply cut with a hacksaw so they slide easily into the bracket (see photo). The hood is a quick and easy fit. More details -- just ask. Barry.

BM Gannon

Colyn, Photo as you requested. I would not advocate cutting up a perfectly good MGA, but this one was so badly damaged, and designated "never to be repaired", I figured just getting it back on the road in any form was worthwhile. Barry

BM Gannon

And another.

BM Gannon

Colin, I've also looked at that possibility as I'm 6'4" and feel a bit tight in the A cockpit. As my car is one that was much like Barry's and beyond restoration I don't feel any constraints about modifying the body or chassis, but I can't figure out how to get the seat back and still keep the chassis strong enough. Cutting the tonneau area back really alters the profile of the car as well and in my opinion makes it look a bit sleeker with less mass at the rear.

Bill Young

Thanks Barry, for this info - certainly food for thought! Could you post some more photos of the hood in situ? Also I really like your idea of high level brake light and would like to do the same with turn signal indicators. But can I pluck the courage to cut the tonneau? Do you think it is possible to create a roll bar which allows the hood to remain in place? I have one currently (purchased of of ebay) which almost does (about 1/2" too tight - see pic), but only bolts to wheel arch and tonneau - which does not fill me with confidence and also means holing the tonneau. Chris.

Chris Bond

Barry, here is my old body with its modified rear cockpit (and yes those are electric windows). Just remember when this was done you found MGAs with all sorts of mods. This one had too many to mention (or restore to original) regards Mark

Mark Mathiesen

This thread was discussed between 04/02/2010 and 11/02/2010

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