LRuggi2635@aol.com wrote:
>
> Frank and others-- how do you all feel about the suitability of Spridgets and
> other LBCs for young drivers? I for one feel today's driving environment is
> decidedly more risky than the one I started out in 24+ years ago. Any
> comments?
Good question!
My daughters car is a 1959 Austin A40 Saloon, it has been converted to
more modern Sprite disc brakes and rear bakes. It has modern 3 point
seat belts with lap belts on the back seat. I have installed a sway bar
(a big one) this helped the body roll emmensly. I have a modern padded
steering wheel and head rest style seats, they are recovered in the
traditional British style and the Austin logo fit the chevy steering
wheel perfectly. I picked up a dual brake master cylinder at Carlisle so
before she actually has the car all to herself, it will have modern
brakes, not ABS but close.
I have drilled her on avoiding everything from trailers coming of pickup
trucks to semi rigs loosing loads or jack knifing. I tell her to save
herself by hitting the smallest bush or tree insted of the car coming
head on. I also told her the car can be replaced SHE can not. Her A40
has a whole lot more metal to it then a modern plastic jellybean, I have
seen minor accidents result in ripped sheetmetal that rips human flesh.
No car is safe, yes some are safer then others, I could give her a Mack
truck and sleep better but would she drive it?
My son survived his Mini and yes he bruised it. Now he has a VW with big
wheels and low tires, it's his car, it's modern but is it safe? If I had
to choose between which vehicle I wanted to be in on a head on
collision, I would pick the A40.
A while back my wife was hit by a Toyota while in her Sprite, the Tpyota
was totaled, the Sprite drove home! She suffered a bruised arm the other
girl went to the hospital but was OK. She was putting on make up while
driving and my wife was stopped.
If it's gonna happen, nothing in the world can change it. Life is for
living.
My motto "I'm here for a good time, not a long time"
--
Frank Clarici
Toms River, NJ
Bugeye Sprite
67 Sprite
59 A40
http://www.exit109.com/~spritenut/
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