Telescoping steering column

[ward 57]

Defensive driving is the key. That's why the portholes were an option on the '56s and became standard. For some reason a couple of weeks back I noticed how low they are compared to almost anything on the road today. The height profile is not more than or even less than a motorcycle. With these new big a** vehicles They probably can't even see you unless you are 20' ahead. Even my Chev Colorado looks huge next the bird.

[ICON 1956]

Here's a true story about the Bullet shape Steering wheel which had all the major car manufacturers change the design.
The accident occurred at a fork in U.S. Route 66 at Cajon Boulevard and Kendall Drive, when a driver, who missed turning at the fork, backed up her car in Davis's lane and he drove into her car. Davis consequently lost his left eye to the bullet-shaped horn button (a standard feature in 1954 and 1955 Cadillacs).

[Alan H. Tast]

Here's a true story about the Bullet shape Steering wheel which had all the major car manufacturers change the design.
The accident occurred at a fork in U.S. Route 66 at Cajon Boulevard and Kendall Drive, when a driver, who missed turning at the fork, backed up her car in Davis's lane and he drove into her car. Davis consequently lost his left eye to the bullet-shaped horn button (a standard feature in 1954 and 1955 Cadillacs).

By 'Davis' you're referring to Sammy Davis, Jr., right? I hadn't heard more than he was driving a Cadillac at the time he lost his eye, and had read urban legends/myths that one of the bullet-shaped taillights from a '59 Cadillac is what took his eye out. Any idea when the accident happened? (I'm too lazy to search while working on tech responses )

[ward 57]

I had never heard why he lost his eye but I can certainly imagine that scenario. I can't imagine how many sternums were broken by those things. Was Ford the first to have the dished wheel or was it becoming a known issue and others incorporated it before they were mandated? Seat belts were still an option on my '57. They also installed 4 way flashers in the '66 line before they became mandatory in '67.

[MarkR]

Alan,
Here is what was recently posted on Facebook.

[DynoDan’55]

These are always interesting discussions about how to make our cars safer. The problem with 3 point seatbelts is that the cars were not designed for them. The other thing is that for the 3 point system to operate properly the seat back needs to be rigid, meaning they won’t flop forward in case of a sudden stop, or worse an accident. The cars starting in the later 1960’s had latches on the front seats to lock them in place which the 1950s cars didn’t have. Our cars were designed to have a lap belt (at best), a deep dish steering wheel (1956-57) and padded dash for 1957. They were not unsafe compared to other cars of the era, but they very primitive compared to the new cars.
Plenty of people drove safely during that period because they used plain old common sense when driving. When driving our cars now the best thing to do is have them in the best mechanical shape and practice defensive driving techniques.
Lew Bachman
1957 Thunderbird

I would think, if the shoulder belt adequately restrained you, the seat back mass would just add to the stress/injury to your upper torso from the belt. Likely better than damage from a wheel/column impact (?).

[55blacktie]

I thought that the primary difference in 56-57 steering wheels is that they are collapsible. I never thought about the bullet-shaped horn button.

I was thinking about our non-locking seat backs and wondered if the shoulder harness would prevent the seat back from being folding forward. If Wesco is marketing these belts specifically for cars that weren't so equipped, wouldn't that be an invitation for a law suit by a plaintiff who claimed injures as a result of the cars' not being designed for three-point belts?

[1957Birdman]

My point with mentioning the fact about the seat backs is that the safety equipment is designed and engineered as a part of a safety system. That system is designed by engineers that study the effects of crashes and implement techniques to mitigate those effects. In the 1950s a head on collision at speed was a sure killer. Survival rates today are much better with improved seat belts, air bags, and crumple zones. Those last two are things you will never see on our cars. Does that mean our cars are not safe? No, but it just means we need to drive our cars more carefully than the average driver of today drives theirs. On the plus side today’s roads are much better than they were when our cars were new.
Lastly, you will never make an early T-Bird as safe as a modern car. Drive it sensibly and you will enjoy many safe miles in you car.
Lew Bachman
1957 Thunderbird

[ward 57]

If you are going to race it or drive like Parnelli Jones Fine, but personally I think it's overkill as long as you are strapped in.
I'm old enough to remember the 'slide over baby' hard right turns with those bench seats.

[55blacktie]

I rode motorcycles on and off (literally) for 50 years. Any car is safer than a motorcycle. However, I wouldn't recommend an old car for a new driver, or to be used as a daily driver, or as a family car. I'm old; most of my life is behind me, but I'm not looking to shorten the time I have left. You can be the best driver in the world, but you have no control over the other drivers with whom you have to share the road.

[MarkR]

I rode motorcycles on and off (literally) for 50 years. Any car is safer than a motorcycle. However, I wouldn't recommend an old car for a new driver, or to be used as a daily driver, or as a family car. I'm old; most of my life is behind me, but I'm not looking to shorten the time I have left. You can be the best driver in the world, but you have no control over the other drivers with whom you have to share the road.

100% correct. Anyone who knows my friend Ernie Phillips, the Tbird drag racer, knows how fast the big one can happen out of nowhere in everyday traffic and how devastating it can be in a baby bird. He said he will never ride or drive in any car again without 3 point belts. After his recovery he installed them in his personal birds. He meant what he said.

[ICON 1956]

I agree what is said, I too had ridien my share of Harley's through out the US and in Canada. When I'm driving my bird I'm extreme cautions of who is around me when driving, I like driving in the country with my bride although things can happen there. I also find then your driving your classic car people seem to cut in front of you knowing you will slow down or stop.
With the distraction of cell phones now is especially you will need four sets of eyes to watch everything around you.

[DynoDan’55]

Riding motorcycles for many years will indeed make you more attentive re: other drivers, but living with deer makes you downright paranoid. Never saw one in 35 yrs. living in Illinois, but 3 deer-strikes in Indiana now has me hitting the brake at night every time I see a white roadside reflector, or a lightning bug even. Any inclination to tailgate evaporates when driving an antique car with drum brakes & no shoulder belt or airbag.

[55blacktie]

Don't take it for granted that motorists will give you a break if you're driving an antique or classic car; they won't. The same goes for bicyclists, motorcyclists, and pedestrians (crosswalks won't protect you).

[Jimntempe]

Don't take it for granted that motorists will give you a break if you're driving an antique or classic car; they won't. The same goes for bicyclists, motorcyclists, and pedestrians (crosswalks won't protect you).

Sometimes it seems like they purposely try to shake you up by cutting too close.