<VV> Safety

[William Hubbell]

Seth, I understand your position, and you aren’t wrong, IF you are of the mind that old cars exist to be modified to the owner’s satisfaction.   Nothing wrong with that whatsoever, but it isn’t why everybody is into the hobby.  Some of us like to keep old things as they were, and feel that adding modern improvements detracts from the value and appearance of the vehicle, in which case we must be well advised to know and respect the limitations of the older technology. 

Additionally, not every person who gets into this hobby is equally skilled at making modifications or even, for that matter, repairing pre-existing defects or deterioration.  Some just buy an old car because it is cheap, and then think they can strap on a few safety devices and go their merry way, without bothering to fix other critical systems. (Adding a shoulder harnesses might sound like a great safety feature, but maybe you’d be better off spending that money replacing those 50 year old brake lines).

And no, you can’t just bolt on a pair of Chrysler Sebring convertible seats - as Kent’s article clearly states, it’s a very complicated project. 

All I’m saying is that if you’re committed to drive an old car, you’d best start with the understanding that you are the most important safety feature and concentrate your efforts on bringing that item up to speed before spending much time and money on other things.  And if you DO decide to add safety features, realize that they, unlike other modifications, HAVE to work correctly, or they may do more harm than good. 

Thanks 

Bill

On Aug 12, 2020, at 4:07 PM, Seth Emerson via VirtualVairs <virtualvairs at corvair.org> wrote:

Reference - This spin of the conversation from adding a bit of safety to your old car, into new car irresponsible driving. This may be interesting but it has all ignored the point of increasing your own safety - not the other drivers. It is impossible to fully protect yourself from the stupidity of others. And yes, you can limit your own risk by driving more safely.  Let's talk about when an idiot goes through the stop sign and hits you as you motor along safely at 25 MPH, or someone in the left lane that squeezes/side swipes into you so you hit a parked car. Unless you are actually psychic, it can happen so quick your current action may have no effect.  All you have now is your personal protection. At that point of contact, would you rather have the original seat belt that GM put in your Corvair in 1965, or a three point harness designed and engineered to be added to a 60's car using the same basic design structure that GM used in 1966 and on.  Your call! 
A few other observances:  
1) If you think you will drive more carefully without a harness installed, go remove your seat belts. 
2) If you think "You" will actually drive more aggressively on the street if you have more protection - you are an idiot!
As Bob says - Your mileage may vary.
-Seth Emerson
-----Original Message-----
From: H Smith via VirtualVairs <virtualvairs at corvair.org>
To: virtualvairs at corvair.org
Sent: Wed, Aug 12, 2020 11:19 am
Subject: <VV> Safety

I must agree with Bill about making your comfort zone larger by giving responsibility For your safety to an add on safety devise.  “.Not his words”.  That feeling was brought to me most vividly when I was racing.  One day I over cooked a turn and was on the last thread of adhesion, drifting toward the grass and hoping to get to the straight before I ran out of pavement.  Nothing new.  Every racer does that from time to time.  I did not panic.  I had a 5 point harness on, cinched up so tight it hurt.  I was wearing a new full face helmet and inside a cage of thick wall plumbing.  If that had happened on the highway I would have soiled my bloomers.  The realization came to me that in spite of the safety features it could hurt badly.  Multiple rolls or an end over end flip never comes out well for the driver.
The point being that some safety devices can lull you into a false sense of well being which can make you less safe.

Sent from my iPad
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