Lucky you, John. 1968 was the first model year for a number of federally-mandated safety regulations: impact absorbing steering columns, front outboard shoulder belts (yes, they were separate then and were usually pristine in their stowed position along the roof), a less-aggressive interior with padding in many places where an occupant could make contact, and I am probably forgetting a few. Safer windshields came in around then, too.
Some cars prior to '68 have the hard points for the shoulder belts. If so, installing shoulder belts would be relatively easy. If not, it would be a major engineering project. I am still using lapbelts in my '66. Steve, older cars typically have a rigid steering shaft that generally attaches directly to the steering box. If a frontal collision is of sufficient magnitude to set the front suspension back, the steering wheel will move back a commensurate distance (into the driver's chest). There are many designs of energy-absorbing steering columns. Two designs are common. The first uses a lattice of metal that is stiff enough for daily driving but will collapse if the driver's chest loads the steering wheel. The second design uses two telescoping tubes that are designed to slip and compress under load. I hope these descriptions make sense. Current safety standards limit the horizontal distance a steering wheel can move in a 30 mph barrier impact to 5 inches, but with the simple steering column geometry of the older cars, the best you can hope for is for the column to be non-rigid and absorb energy by collapsing in some way. Enough of this for tonight. This is too much like work! Cheers, Tim -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]On Behalf Of John Nasta Sent: Tuesday, November 19, 2002 7:22 PM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: RE: [Chevelle-List] Anti-lock brakes & air bags in Chevelles I have collapsible (actually called impact absorbing) steering wheels in both of my 1968 Oldsmobiles (both are convertibles). The only down side is that because there are no shoulder belts, drivers tend to go through the windshield in a collision. John Nasta -----Original Message----- Tim, You could be our Team Chevelle Safety rep :) Teach me about collapsible steering columns please. I am ignorant in this area. What do you plan on doing to increase safety on your 66 Elkie? Steve ----------------------------------------------------- To Unsubscribe please visit www.chevelles.net/list.html To start a new topic, send mail to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] ----------------------------------------------------- To Unsubscribe please visit www.chevelles.net/list.html To start a new topic, send mail to: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
