17 Vintage Car Features that are Illegal or Deemed Unsafe by Today’s Standards
A vintage classic car driving down the road always turns heads. These cars’ designs make them iconic. Most vintage cars prioritized style and ensuring an excellent driving experience, while safety concerns were not considered. Although these cars remain classics and icons of the industry, some of their features would be illegal or unsafe in modern times. These are 17 vintage car features that are illegal or deemed unsafe by today’s standards:
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Non-Collapsible Steering Columns
Most vintage cars featured rigid steering columns that were non-collapsible, which became a safety hazard. The risk of the steering wheel going through the chest of the driver in the event of a frontal, high-impact collision increased multi-fold. This led to the development of collapsible steering columns to reduce the risks of injuries to the head and chest in case of an accident.
Absence of Seat Belts
Check out cars from movies in the 1950s and 1960s. Chances are they didn’t have seatbelts. One of the standard features of a vintage car is its lack or absence of safety belts. This was highly unsafe for the driver and all the passengers in the car, who could be thrown off or around inside the car during collisions and rash driving. The absence of seat belts led to many deaths and severe injuries to all occupants of the car.
Bench Front Seats
Another classic vintage car feature was the bench front seat, which allowed seating for up to three occupants in the front. This was highly unsafe when it became apparent that front seats lacked individual seat belts and offered the passengers very little or no lateral support, which could lead to injuries during sharp turns or in an accident. To ensure safety for all passengers, modern cars are equipped with seats designed to support and protect the body, each with its safety belt.
Metal Dashboards
Metal dashboards gave vintage cars a cool, sleek, and stylish look. However, these hard-surfaced dashboards were a safety hazard, as they had the potential to cause serious injury in case of any kind of impact and lacked padding to help soften impacts. Today, all vehicle dashboards must be made with soft and absorbent materials that can cushion the blow in case of any impact.
Drum Brakes
The drum brakes fitted into vintage cars are prone to overheating and could lead to brake fade, usually occurring under heavy use. This reduces braking efficiency and increases stopping distance. Although these brakes are not illegal, they are not as effective as brakes should be. Now, modern cars are equipped with disk brakes, which are designed to effectively dissipate heat and provide drivers with more reliable and consistent stopping ability.
No Crumple Zones
Crumple zones refer to specifically designed areas of a car that deform or crumple in a controlled manner to absorb and dissipate the energy that emerges from an impact. Vintage cars were designed and built to be sturdy and withstand any kind of impact with minimal dents and deformation. These cars lacked crumple zones, resulting in the occupants absorbing the energy that emerges from an impact, which can harm them, causing injuries. Nowadays, cars are designed with crumple zones to protect the cabin and reduce impacts on occupants.
No Anti-Lock Brakes
An anti-lock braking system, or ABS, is a safety measure that prevents the wheels of a car from locking up during abrupt braking. This system lets the driver control the steering and avoid obstacles in emergency stop situations. Although ABS is a crucial component of a modern car, vintage cars were not built with this system. This meant that vintage cars were more susceptible to skidding and losing steering control, which was a safety hazard for the car occupants and passers-by.
No Airbags
Vintage cars were not designed or equipped with airbags installed. This was a serious cause of concern, as heavy impacts or collisions would lead to serious injuries because of the lack of an absorbing barrier between the occupants and the vehicle’s structure. Developments in the automotive industry have led to the design of airbags, which are one of the most important safety innovations for modern cars.
Winged Windows
Many vintage cars were equipped with winged windows, which are small vent windows that pivot at the front of the side windows. These windows contributed to allowing direct airflow into the cabin before air conditioners were adopted into cars. One of the major drawbacks of these vent windows is that they were not as secure as other parts of the car and could also be broken into easily. This design feature has become redundant in modern cars equipped with air conditioning.
Asbestos in Brakes and Clutches
Asbestos was a common element used in the construction of vintage cars, especially in brake shoes and clutch facings. Its heat resistance properties were important in its use in vintage cars. However, asbestos is highly detrimental to health and is responsible for different respiratory diseases and cancers, leading to its ban on the manufacturing of cars.
Lead-based Paint
Lead-based paint is known for its durability and vibrant finish and is therefore used in most vintage cars’ paint. However, lead is a toxic element and can pose various health-related issues, which were worse when the paint started to chip or deteriorate or when the particles of the paint became airborne. The health hazards posed by lead-based paints have led to its ban on cars.
No Headrests
Headrests are an essential safety feature in car design, helping to protect the neck and prevent neck injuries like whiplash from occurring in case of impact. Whiplash is caused when the head is jerked backward and forward suddenly, leading to potentially severe damage to the vertebrae and surrounding tissue. Although there were risks of neck injuries, vintage cars lacked headrests, which became a serious safety concern.
Lack of Side Impact Protection
Although vintage cars were built with sturdy materials that gave them an intense yet stylish look, they lacked many structural supports that are standard in modern cars. Vintage cars did not have reinforced doors and side airbags, which are commonly found in modern cars. These features are essential in reducing car occupants’ injuries in case of a heavy side impact. The lack of cushioning between the occupant and the car’s exterior meant that occupants were more likely to receive severe injuries during a collision.
Unsafe Fuel Tanks
A significant flaw in the design of vintage cars is the placement of the car’s fuel tank, which was often placed in a position that left it vulnerable in a collision. Damages to the fuel tank could lead to leaks and even fires, making accidents even more dangerous. Safety regulations in the manufacture of modern cars now require them to place fuel tanks in shield areas that minimize risk in case of a collision.
No Electronic Stability Control
Vintage cars were not equipped with electronic stability control or ESC technology, which helps to improve the car’s stability by detecting and reducing the loss of traction. This technology is crucial to the safety of the driver and the passengers. However, the technology was not developed when most vintage cars were manufactured, leaving them vulnerable and prone to accidents when driving in challenging or extreme conditions.
Manual Windshield Wipers
Vintage and older cars were often equipped with manual windshield wipers that were required to be operated by the driver. Driving in rainy or snowy weather conditions required drivers to multitask, which often distracted them from driving safely due to the inefficient wipers. Now, modern cars are equipped with advanced wiper systems that can automatically detect moisture and adjust the speed and frequency of the wipers.
Bright Dash Lights
When bright dash lights were switched on, they impaired the driver’s night vision and ability to adjust their sight to the darkness outside. Unfortunately, most vintage cars were equipped with bright dash lights that affected how drivers drive at night.
16 Famous Comedians Whose Jokes Are Forbidden in Today’s World
Related: In the ever-evolving comedy landscape, societal norms and sensitivities play a significant role in shaping acceptable humor. Over the years, certain comedians who were once celebrated for their wit and sharp humor have found themselves in hot water for jokes now deemed offensive or inappropriate.
Here are 16 famous comedians whose jokes are forbidden in today’s world.
