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From: wetcw@pyuxa.UUCP (T C Wheeler)
Newsgroups: net.flame
Subject: The Great Seatbelt Debate and Other Nonsense
Message-ID: <1120@pyuxa.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 23-Jan-85 08:29:47 EST
Article-I.D.: pyuxa.1120
Posted: Wed Jan 23 08:29:47 1985
Date-Received: Thu, 24-Jan-85 19:03:54 EST
Organization: Bell Communications Research, Piscataway N.J.
Lines: 26

Someone mentioned that they thought the VW was the first car
to have the engine compartment ride up over the engine in a
collision.  The someone else brought up the Volvo and Saab.

Phooey on all your houses!  The 1963 and 1964 Studebaker Avanti
had this ability plus a few more.  It had seatbelts as a standard
piece of equipment.  It had a rollbar over the passenger compartment,
solidly welded to the frame.  It had a front windshield that popped
out when the car was hit from the front or rear.  It had a collapsible
steering wheel to prevent injuries there.  It had a complete coccoon
of foam rubber over all interior surfaces that could cause injury.
It had a rear gas tank that was above the collision point.  It had
Mercedes bolt door latches to keep the door from springing when hit.
It had the FIRST use of disc brakes in the US on a production car.
And, finally, it would go like Hell and was fun to drive.  All of
these things were standard equipment and the total cost then was
$4100.00.  These cars may now be over 20 years old, but their styling
is still up-to-date.

Now for the flame:  Just wear the damn seat-belts and stop
whinning about the laws.  The whinners are only about 1% of the
rest of the drivers and they would probably whine about everything 
else anyway.  If they want to go out and kill themselves, as long
as they don't mess up anyone else, then let them.  This will tend
to cut down on their stupid remarks on the net.
T. C. Wheeler