Photo by Rick McClure/Special to the Los Angeles Daily News
It's not often that we miss news involving hot rodders or hot rods - our readers and contributors are really plugged into the world of enthuisasts, so it was with shock and surprise that we read an article forwarded to us from a reader about a terrible accident that happened practically in our backyard. On September 26, according to the Daily News, the driver of a 1932 Ford Roadster lost control on a local street in Burbank and drove into the median. He was ejected from the vehicle and it was hit by two oncoming vehicles. (Go here for additional photos: http://photos.dailynews.com/2014/09/photos-vintage-ford-roadster-burns-in-5-freeway-crash-in-burbank#1
The two other motorists were apparently fine, and we've heard that the driver of the '32 is in stable condition. So far, there hasn't been any cause identified for the accident, but the one thing we are left with is the likelihood that the car did not have seatbelts installed. Now, this is based entirely on an offhand remark from the firefighter interviewed at the scene. We haven't found additional details.
But this does lead us to a discussion of safety, and we'd like to point readers to a few articles from the Hot Rod M.D. himself on seatbelt installation in hot rods and vintage cars. Jim Clark has done a number of pieces on installing modern safety equipment and we think its an important issue, particularly for those vehicles that are regularly driven and enjoyed!
Check them out here:
Seat Belts for Old Hot Rods
Juliano's '40 Ford 3 Point Seat Belt "How-to"
So, let us know what you think about some of these modern safety additions, if you've added them to your vehicles and how that installation went. We've also heard some discussion about the benefits of these lap belts in a crash, given the other lack of saftey features in a Deuce. We'd love to know what you think.
Finally, our thoughts go out to the driver and his family! The whole community will be thinking about him.