I agree.
As I stated previously, I'm not entirely comfortable carrying my children in
my TR4 (which is probably the way it should be... makes me extra cautious).
I recognize the fact that auto safety has progressed a long way in the past
40 years. However, I also believe there are other factors involved. Steven
note a few... Additionally, I think other drivers pay more attention to
these old cars - especially if you keep your chrome polished (since modern
cars no longer have any chrome on them) ;). Pay attention to other drivers
eyes when you pass them as they wait to turn into traffic (a defensive habit
I got into during my motorcycle ownership days). Rarely are they following
me when I'm in my modern car; however, more often than not, they are
watching my TR4.
Life's full of risks. I certainly try to minimize those risks for my
children; however, I happen to enjoy the heck out of these old cars, and I
hope to pass that enjoyment on to my children. Kind of hard to do if I
don't let them ride in the car with me. ;)
Kurtis Jones
Russellville, Arkansas
1963 TR4 - CT19389L
1959 AH Bugeye - AN5L23250
www.geocities.com/tr4_1963
> No, I wouldn't. But that's a fair and thoughtful point, Bob. Personally I
> don't believe that I or my passengers are inherently in more danger riding
> in a TR than in a modern car. While modern cars have features like airbags
> and ABS, they also have features like CD players with loud sound systems,
> video screens, hands-free cell phones, air conditioning, and astounding
> blind spots -- all of which serve to isolate and distract drivers from the
> driving experience and increase the likelihood of an accident. By
> comparison a TR is well designed to enhance driver awareness.
>
> Especially compared to the use, as a family car, of a truck-based SUV that
> doesn't comply with passenger car safety rules anyway, I'd much rather
> drive my family in a responsive low-center-of-gravity sports car -- even
> one that's over 40 years old. ISTR that Triumph ran a TV advert that
> showed a TR7 NOT crashing into a wall? Not to be glib, but I don't think
> that shows a lack of judgement.
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