Boxed [not quite] In

The roll hoop, courtesy of Autopower, has been fitted into the 325. The results are very good. Credit should go in roughly equal parts to the team for creating a drawing that matched the car's dimensions, and to autopower for meeting the print very well.

The hoop is tied in place while other tube fitting takes place. A welding and fitting strategy is forthcoming, as it will be hard to finish the welds on all tubes in their final positions.

Visible next to the bar above is the re-weld where the roof beam had to be cut during sunroof removal. Welding in the overhead position proved tricky, but possible. Also visible above is the gearshift knob included with the vehicle. Research is pending on whether this was an original option back in '89 or if it was replaced with an aftermarket unit somewhere along the way.

The interior stripping is done to the point that welding can begin, but certain naysayers insisted the gas-tank be removed before taking a several-thousand degree flame to the adjoining body panels.

Boxes were fabricated for the termination of the rear cage tubes.

The boxes must be held with tape pending fuel tank removal. The tape seemed pretty strong, but this is a crash protection device, so we will probably replace the tape with welding in final form.

Working in the confines of the car the 7" torch seemed cumbersome. A screw on cap was purchased, it will be very useful for the in-car welds.