Yes, Hess had a cage on the car in the Salem accident. It WAS a “bolt-on” cage if I remember correctly, but IMO, the way the car hit the guardrail it would not have mattered. A tragic, unavoidable accident.

call me crazy bit I think the cars looked better with roll cages during those early years when they were added on. The pre roll cage cars obviously had a classic look but the roll cage added a nice proportion to the cars.

Maybe they look good to me since I know they save lives, although I don't have the same opinion about the F1 halos lol