Only problem with common sense if the accidents that you can't help...like a Ryder moving truck rear ending you or a BMW running a red light and hitting you at like 40. I'm not so sure a roll cage would kept the front bumper from getting into the cabin, based on that crash test...or the engine from getting friendly with your backside. Besides, isn't a roll cage meant more for roll-overs?

Yup.... its true, we all make mistakes, and what sucks is that

you cant control the dope in the Ryder truck or BMW wagon.

As far s your rollcage question, Yes and no.

The basic rollcage you posted is (of course) not going to do

much to prevent the cruple zone (intentional or not) from...

well, CRUMPLING into your legs or sternum .

A really well engineered rollcage is more of an overall safety

cell, it usually has higher beams protecting you fro side impact

(most dangerous of all in ANY car) and there's piping that

goes out of the passanger compartment and bolts to the front

& rear of the car"s structure... think simplified NASCAr CAGE.

Look closely at the photos above, esp. at the Karmann Ghia's engine

compartment and the Austin Healey's under-hood front section & you

will see what I'm talking about.

A great starting point for a "safety cage" in a VW Beetle would be to

look at a modern Porsche 911's safety cage. the 911 is THE most

winning-est car model in racing history, and you can you tube crashes

that would rip most car in half involving 911s and yet the driver

emerges unscathed.

Granted something this good involves serious time and money but I

think in the long run it would be well worth it. Perfection has its price.

I'd love to make a safety-cell for a '65-'69 Corvair 2-door hardtop &

have a daily driver that gets 20 mpg but can take a hit from a Ford

F350 and keep me and both my daughters 100% safe... way safer

than any factory stock car that gets 20mpg, modern or not.

Damn Cory, sorry about the lose bro, but very glad you made it out unscathed.