G21 crash test
Discussion
A lot was said about the 'best' crash result test seen at Mira in the 70s of the G21 - now you can see it on video - (about 1min 10 secs in).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1fhtOnnYXbc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1fhtOnnYXbc
dandarez said:
A lot was said about the 'best' crash result test seen at Mira in the 70s of the G21 - now you can see it on video - (about 1min 10 secs in).http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1fhtOnnYXbc
When you say a lot was said about it what do you mean ?? It was good/bad/indifferent ??Totally!
Steering wheel intrusion was 1.25 inches, windscreen stayed put, didn't break, both doors could be opened in the normal manner and the MIRA crash test manager submitted it was one of the best results ever seen.
When do you EVER read about that?
(except in my books of course
- whoa, is that a plug?
Na, they're all out of print (hmm, perhaps that's a plug too - it would've been in the old GOC).
Remember they also crash tested the G15 and the G32 successfully which makes
the following a really good quote, eh?
'Nothing more than a Kit Car maker'
which was written about Ginetta (under the Walkletts) in a weekly mainstream car mag.
Laughable if it wasn't so serious.
Steering wheel intrusion was 1.25 inches, windscreen stayed put, didn't break, both doors could be opened in the normal manner and the MIRA crash test manager submitted it was one of the best results ever seen.
When do you EVER read about that?
(except in my books of course
- whoa, is that a plug? Na, they're all out of print (hmm, perhaps that's a plug too - it would've been in the old GOC
).Remember they also crash tested the G15 and the G32 successfully which makes
the following a really good quote, eh?
'Nothing more than a Kit Car maker'
which was written about Ginetta (under the Walkletts) in a weekly mainstream car mag.
Laughable if it wasn't so serious.
Edited by dandarez on Tuesday 19th June 23:33
No.
A reprint - albeit in different format and lightly revised (softbound) of the original book is still in the pipeline (it should have been out ages ago) - probably late this year to coincide with forthcoming 50th.
The 3rd edition is seemingly on permanent hold for a multitude of reasons.
A reprint - albeit in different format and lightly revised (softbound) of the original book is still in the pipeline (it should have been out ages ago) - probably late this year to coincide with forthcoming 50th.
The 3rd edition is seemingly on permanent hold for a multitude of reasons.
I think the issue is that there is no crumple zone and therefore unlikely that the wheel would move unless the chassis compressed! unlikely with 2x2 14gauge longitudinal tube as the body would more likely move forward on the chassis once the flip bonnet came off (as it did) and shear the 1/4" mounting bolts/tear the fibreglass on the body which holds the column.
I think of this often when booting my G21 around immovable objects - And I also think of several racing examples, none of which have cages.
The beam stiffness is good but torsional stiffness......... well, jack up a corner!!
As for the doors, see above - How the windscreen stayed in place is a mystery, unless the body moved on the chassis to soften the impact!!
Please also remember that this was a V6 that was crashed - unlike the Rootes chassis model.
Ohh, I feel a batch of e.mails coming!! But on the positive side, that was nearly 40 years ago and the fibreglass is miles thick. any word on how the seatbelt anchors faired as i upgraded mine thru shock!!
I think of this often when booting my G21 around immovable objects - And I also think of several racing examples, none of which have cages.
The beam stiffness is good but torsional stiffness......... well, jack up a corner!!
As for the doors, see above - How the windscreen stayed in place is a mystery, unless the body moved on the chassis to soften the impact!!
Please also remember that this was a V6 that was crashed - unlike the Rootes chassis model.
Ohh, I feel a batch of e.mails coming!! But on the positive side, that was nearly 40 years ago and the fibreglass is miles thick. any word on how the seatbelt anchors faired as i upgraded mine thru shock!!
There is only one point.
As mentioned by the critic(?) remember this was nearly 40 years ago!
The point imo is the MIRA test manager could hardly believe his eyes.
The G21 in question may well have had the 3 litre V6. However, you are wrong - the body did not move forward (or are you saying it would have done had bolts sheared?). The test manager's report showed the rear wheels lifted SIX inches and the bodywork can be seen in any of the pics to be in its original position. Certainly, the body did not move at all and if this crash test featured the unusual, it was not the fact that the steering column hardly moved, it was the fact that BOTH doors opened and shut as per normal and that the screen stayed put! Again a plus for GRP cars against steel. If the G21 had been steel or even ally bodied the chances of a result like this are zilch.
Anyway, the G15 was also crash tested and retained 100% cockpit integrity and that's rear engined.
Give the Walkletts some credit.
Face it, they also did it a third time too with the G32 (crash tested WHILE Bob Walklett was still MD despite some reports to the contrary!
As mentioned by the critic(?) remember this was nearly 40 years ago!
The point imo is the MIRA test manager could hardly believe his eyes.
The G21 in question may well have had the 3 litre V6. However, you are wrong - the body did not move forward (or are you saying it would have done had bolts sheared?). The test manager's report showed the rear wheels lifted SIX inches and the bodywork can be seen in any of the pics to be in its original position. Certainly, the body did not move at all and if this crash test featured the unusual, it was not the fact that the steering column hardly moved, it was the fact that BOTH doors opened and shut as per normal and that the screen stayed put! Again a plus for GRP cars against steel. If the G21 had been steel or even ally bodied the chances of a result like this are zilch.
Anyway, the G15 was also crash tested and retained 100% cockpit integrity and that's rear engined.
Give the Walkletts some credit.
Face it, they also did it a third time too with the G32 (crash tested WHILE Bob Walklett was still MD despite some reports to the contrary!
Edited by dandarez on Thursday 9th August 23:57
dandarez said:
Face it, they also did it a third time too with the G32 (crash tested WHILE Bob Walklett was still MD despite some reports to the contrary!
We have seen the remains of the tested G32, and can confirm that the cockpit area retained full integrity. The G32 was tested much later, when the tests were much more scientific - and also more stringent.Our G21 does have a cage, but the weak point in the design is the very short rear radius arms. Most drivers will not find its limits on the road, but on the track it rear-wheel steers - unfortunately in the opposite direction to the front wheels! As the body rolls, the rear axle yaws in the chassis quite a bit, and tries to push the car out of the corner...
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