Brad,
In his book Complete TD Restoration Manual, Horst Schach (sp?) shows a
three-point belt arrangment. More frequently seen is a lap belt, with its
ends attached to the chassis cross member, usually with a chain. How
effective are they? I have never seen any crash tests results.
The lap belt keeps one more firmly in the seats during turns and on
rough road; it may keep one in the car during a rollover. It seems likely
that in a collision it would cause the passenger to rotate at the hips
and lobotomise himself on the glovebox door knob or the windscreen wiper
motor.
Schach's three point belt design is intended to avoid the passenger
head banging on the knob or the wiper motor, and to keep the driver's
chest off the steering wheel hub.
Protection of either belt is slight, in comparison to belts in modern
cars. As far as we know, there was no consideration given to passenger
protection in a crash during design of the cars. There is not much metal
between a passenger and a vehicle approaching from the side--not until
MGBs were well along was door reinforcment introduced.
While lap straps have been in my TD for 35 years or so, I do not count
on them to be lifesaving devices.
Bob
On Thu, 30 Aug 2001 11:57:17 -0700 "Brad Rivera" <barivera@qwest.net>
writes:
> T-Listers,
>
> Is there a concensus about the addition of seatbelts to a T? I have
> heard of
> people that insisted on adding seatbelts when they purchased their T
> new and I
> have also heard advovates of the 'I'd rather be thrown clear' school
> (a la..
> James Dean). My concerns are the fragile nature of the car
> compromising the
> benefits of seatbelts, the effectiveness of seatbelts and the
> welfare of
> myself and my passengers.
>
> What have other people done? Has anyone survived a wreck in a T? If
> so, what
> did they have and how did it work? Finally, can anyone recommend a
> particular
> type of seatbelt.
>
> Brad
> '55 TF-1500
> '85 TLC FJ-60
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