The Many Ways in Which Cars Were Stupendously Unsafe 60 Years Ago

Car and Driver ^ | DECEMBER 5, 2017 | JOHN PEARLEY HUFFMAN

[TalonDJ]

“my Dad would put out his right arm to keep me or my other brothers from falling when he hit the brakes.”

Had he HIT something, even at 25mph, your little body would have blown past his arm and out the wind screen. Physics is a b**ch.

[TalonDJ]

Everyone remember when every car accident was accompanied by a big spider web in the wind shield? Lets all be nostalgic about brain damage.

[Future Snake Eater]

We survived.

Survivorship bias, or survival bias, is the logical error of concentrating on the people or things that "survived" some process and inadvertently overlooking those that did not because of their lack of visibility. This can lead to false conclusions in several different ways.

[Lurker]

Far more of us survived than did not.

L

[laplata]

Duh, that goes without saying. In those days, most parents or drivers did that if children were next to them. You must be young.

[Future Snake Eater]

No doubt, but that doesn’t mean it was safe.

[Lurker]

Nothing is safe.

L

[ex91B10]

‘63 Falcon. Mom’s right arm was the seat belt. If it did have seat belts, dad couldn’t swat all three of us while driving!

[Fresh Wind]

Thank you for showing what a classless person you are.

[AppyPappy]

When I worked EMS, we knew people weren’t wearing seat belts because there would be a bubble in the windshield. You’re going to need lots of bandages and their eyes won’t match.

[sparklite2]

You're welcome.  And thank you ...

Predictably, this thread is full of comments just like yours that were posted by people who DID survive. The ones who didn't survive aren't available to comment.

... for posting insulting snark to me and others on this thread.

[ex91B10]

>>...and their eyes won’t match.<<

I was an EMT also. Good line!

[Fresh Wind]

LOL!

[Lurker]

My dad had to order the front seat belts as a dealer installed option in that Fury. No back seat belts were available.

Man that thing was a cast iron boat.

L

[doorgunner69]

1973 is when usa cars went dead

About the time the Vega was vomited out by GM. And smog laws neutered horsepower.

[cornfedcowboy]

No car seats for infants. Just laundry baskets.