Older cars - wear your seatbelt !
Discussion
Something borrowed from another forum , I guess this shows what can happen when an older car collides with a large modern vehicle , and this old Cortina was in excellent condition before the event , if it was in a lesser condition the results could have been even worse , as the occupants say - always wear your seatbelts.
"The Pageant of Power event this year at Malpas in Cheshire was a terrific venue and event.
However, I had heard that one of the exhibitors had crashed en-route to the venue
Today at the Erddig show we found out how severe it actually was.....the driver was being pushed around in a wheel chair with both legs broken, Tib and Fibs broken in both legs and one ankle full of pins. A total of 20 breaks in his all and apparently, he was lucky not to have his right leg amputated at the shin
Well, the story goes something like this......and I'm sure he won't mind me telling you, as his daughter was promoting the fact he and his passenger were both wearing their seat belts otherwise they would more than likely be dead ....
As they were driving to the event at 9.20 am, they were minding their own business at 30 mph, when a Shogun 4x4 came out of a junction on the left and then ploughed straight into their car. Apparently it was a beautiful Ford Cortina ..... "
"The Pageant of Power event this year at Malpas in Cheshire was a terrific venue and event.
However, I had heard that one of the exhibitors had crashed en-route to the venue
Today at the Erddig show we found out how severe it actually was.....the driver was being pushed around in a wheel chair with both legs broken, Tib and Fibs broken in both legs and one ankle full of pins. A total of 20 breaks in his all and apparently, he was lucky not to have his right leg amputated at the shin
Well, the story goes something like this......and I'm sure he won't mind me telling you, as his daughter was promoting the fact he and his passenger were both wearing their seat belts otherwise they would more than likely be dead ....
As they were driving to the event at 9.20 am, they were minding their own business at 30 mph, when a Shogun 4x4 came out of a junction on the left and then ploughed straight into their car. Apparently it was a beautiful Ford Cortina ..... "
First thing I did when I bought my 150
Just about then there was a story in various classic rags about one of the top Duesy restorers. He and his family had been killed by some dumb broad pulling out of a side street in her Volvo straight into the side of a car he'd just about finished. The woman got done for their murder, but that doesn't make up for the fact 5 people died.
Just about then there was a story in various classic rags about one of the top Duesy restorers. He and his family had been killed by some dumb broad pulling out of a side street in her Volvo straight into the side of a car he'd just about finished. The woman got done for their murder, but that doesn't make up for the fact 5 people died.
Also the first thing I did when I bought my Aston, I feel more secure with them on but being a glider pilot I guess I'm used to gettting in and strapping up the belts. I used Quickfit SBS in Stanmore, Middx they did a very good job and work on many classics. http://www.quickfitsbs.com/classic_cars_seatbelts....
Absolutley. Unles you've driven a classic in modern traffic you wont know that:
1) Old cars simply cant stop in the same distance you can
2) They dont have ABS
3) They might not have seat belts
4) They wont have airbags, side impact beams or anything
5) The person who restored it ***might not*** have been as thorough as when new
And also, I have never heard of a restorer using high strength steel when rebuilding, just normal mild steel or even stainless steel to stop rust
If you have belts, then it might also be a good idea to replace them with newer belts. Originally, the Aston didnt have belts which tension. For £50, I replaced both with belts which do.
1) Old cars simply cant stop in the same distance you can
2) They dont have ABS
3) They might not have seat belts
4) They wont have airbags, side impact beams or anything
5) The person who restored it ***might not*** have been as thorough as when new
And also, I have never heard of a restorer using high strength steel when rebuilding, just normal mild steel or even stainless steel to stop rust
If you have belts, then it might also be a good idea to replace them with newer belts. Originally, the Aston didnt have belts which tension. For £50, I replaced both with belts which do.
My Alfa has seatbelts but they are not inerta reel and dont pre tension. The car is from 1971. I make sure that me and my passenger (manually) adjust the belt so that they are tight.
Although looking at those pictures has made me think about putting in modern seatbelts.
However I am not sure how much more difference they would make in the absence of the car having crumple zones etc if the worst was to happen.
Although looking at those pictures has made me think about putting in modern seatbelts.
However I am not sure how much more difference they would make in the absence of the car having crumple zones etc if the worst was to happen.
Here's an idea: don't drive your classic at a speed that eliminates your stopping ability in the event of something unexpected.
Aside from that, many of the larger classic cars are likely safer than modern cars. I know someone who was in a MKII that had a head on collision with a nissan micra that came round a bend on the wrong side of the road. Despite the lack of seatbelts in the MKII the driver survived, all be it with broken ribs and a few other injuries while the micra driver died.
Bigger cars usually win.
Aside from that, many of the larger classic cars are likely safer than modern cars. I know someone who was in a MKII that had a head on collision with a nissan micra that came round a bend on the wrong side of the road. Despite the lack of seatbelts in the MKII the driver survived, all be it with broken ribs and a few other injuries while the micra driver died.
Bigger cars usually win.
LOGiK said:
Here's an idea: don't drive your classic at a speed that eliminates your stopping ability in the event of something unexpected.
I'm giving you the benefit of doubt now - you missed what was written in the OP "when a Shogun 4x4 came out of a junction on the left and then ploughed straight into their car"ETA: MkII driver would have had even less injury if he'd been wearig a seatbelt
I can tell you (and my passenger) from personal experience that wearing a seltbelt saves more serious injuries and even death
Edited by SB - Nigel on Sunday 25th October 17:34
I'm really genuinely sorry to hear that , I am really concerned by the amount of LHD lorries over here , they don't have the correct mirrors and are a real hazzard on our roads , it's about time this contry made it more punitive for foreign lorries paying NOTHING to use our roads and making them dangerous for us , we really should be doing something to stem this tide.
RedexR said:
I'm really genuinely sorry to hear that , I am really concerned by the amount of LHD lorries over here , they don't have the correct mirrors and are a real hazzard on our roads , it's about time this contry made it more punitive for foreign lorries paying NOTHING to use our roads and making them dangerous for us , we really should be doing something to stem this tide.
I've often thought about that too...trouble is...what about our drivers going to mainland Europe ? 
The only answer is to have 'local' tractor units, and foreign vehicles compelled to swap to them upon arrival. Hell of an inconvenience, but then so is injury and death.
In the meantime keep out of their way!! Overtake very quickly so you are at risk for less time. A colleage some years ago had a lhd lorry pulll out, the wheels went over the front of his Audi A6. He tells me he thought he had breathed his last as the Audi was spun round like a top.
Good car protected the driver he walked away from a write off shaken and unhurt. I'm not sure the lorry driver even knew what was going on.
BTW do Eastern Block drivers have to adhere to tacho regs?
Good car protected the driver he walked away from a write off shaken and unhurt. I'm not sure the lorry driver even knew what was going on.
BTW do Eastern Block drivers have to adhere to tacho regs?
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