Originally Posted by mscs20:
Chrome roll cages were never banned because of chrome....only because all of the chrome roll cages were bolt on, instead of welded on. And the vats you dip parts in, were never big enough to accomidate a whole frame. In the late 70's at some point USAC mandated welded on roll cages......maybe by 78 when the outlaws started, I'm not sure. Steve Stapp was about the first USAC car builder to weld his on. Chassis like J&J, Nance, and Trostle started building them that way too and Gambler never did build a bolt on. The first car I drove in 76, the cage was cut into 4pieces to fit in the vat. I agree....it was an awesome look though.
Steve
I've seen a McElreath sprinter with a chrome cage that was welded on. Touchup paint around the welds. However, the tubes stopped at the upper frame rail instead of going all the way to the bottom. Not much safer than a bolt on in my opinion.