1968 VW Bug... only has lapbelts... shoulder belt needed?

[Trey22]

Trying to find info on what the law is on safety belts in older model cars.

My '68 bug came w/ only lapbelts for the two front passengers... didn't know if to be in compliance w/ the law, I needed to install new ones that have both lap and shoulder restraints.

 

[iamwiz82]

You do not need them since it was grandfathered in.

 

[NutBucket]

You're definitely legal.

 

[AdamSnow]

If the car came from the factory with something, it is legal...

Old cars that dont have seatbelts dont need them either...

 

[Trey22]

Cool, thanks for the replies.

Depending on the cost, I might just put in new ones for safety's sake.

 

[Triumph]

Certainly not illegal, but I wouldn't feel too safe with those. I'd rather die than end up parapolegic (sp?) because of a lap belt. Get some cool 4 point racing harnesses, d00d!

 

[iamwiz82]

Originally posted by: Triumph
Certainly not illegal, but I wouldn't feel too safe with those. I'd rather die than end up parapolegic (sp?) because of a lap belt. Get some cool 4 point racing harnesses, d00d!

Another board member mentioned that a large majority of car crash fatalities die in the car. Therefore, not wearing a seatbelt is safer. :laugh:

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: iamwiz82

Originally posted by: Triumph
Certainly not illegal, but I wouldn't feel too safe with those. I'd rather die than end up parapolegic (sp?) because of a lap belt. Get some cool 4 point racing harnesses, d00d!

Another board member mentioned that a large majority of car crash fatalities die in the car. Therefore, not wearing a seatbelt is safer. :laugh:

That is the dumbest thing I've ever heard. Who said that?

 

[Trey22]

Originally posted by: iamwiz82

Originally posted by: Triumph
Certainly not illegal, but I wouldn't feel too safe with those. I'd rather die than end up parapolegic (sp?) because of a lap belt. Get some cool 4 point racing harnesses, d00d!

Another board member mentioned that a large majority of car crash fatalities die in the car. Therefore, not wearing a seatbelt is safer. :laugh:

Hahaha!

I'll take my chances w/ a belt . Wait, I'm already driving a deathtrap... maybe getting ejected wouldn't be so bad!

 

[thomsbrain]

you're legal, but keep in mind that the car is a deathtrap and with only lap belts and the "dashboard" and windshield 1.5 feet from your forehead in those cars, lap belts spell "brain damage."

have a nice day.

 

[T2T III]

Originally posted by: Triumph
Certainly not illegal, but I wouldn't feel too safe with those. I'd rather die than end up parapolegic (sp?) because of a lap belt. Get some cool 4 point racing harnesses, d00d!

Yeah, paired with some Recaro seats would be pretty nice, too.

 

[DietDrThunder]

You can find VW Beetle 3 point Seatbelts cheap at swapmeets. The '68 I had came with the 3 point and not just a lap belt. Sold

 

[nakedfrog]

Pics?

 

[cavemanmoron]

Originally posted by: iamwiz82

Originally posted by: Triumph
Certainly not illegal, but I wouldn't feel too safe with those. I'd rather die than end up parapolegic (sp?) because of a lap belt. Get some cool 4 point racing harnesses, d00d!

Another board member mentioned that a large majority of car crash fatalities die in the car. Therefore, not wearing a seatbelt is safer. :laugh:

Your another Darwin award wannabe. :|

 

[cavemanmoron]

Originally posted by: Trey22
Trying to find info on what the law is on safety belts in older model cars.

My '68 bug came w/ only lapbelts for the two front passengers... didn't know if to be in compliance w/ the law, I needed to install new ones that have both lap and shoulder restraints.

No by law all you need is what the car had when new.

My 1964 Valiant only has front Lap belts,and they were an option.

All "passenger motor vehicles" required by federal standards to be equipped with seat belts are covered. "Passenger motor vehicle" is defined as a motor vehicle designed for carrying ten or fewer passengers but excludes motorcycles, mopeds or trailers. All passenger cars manufactured after 1967 are required by federal law to have seat belts. Requirements for vans, pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles to be equipped with belts began with the models manufactured after 1971. There are no exemptions for vehicles registered in other states.



Looks like 1968 was the changeover year.

http://www.aa1car.com/library/timeline.htm


1968

Volvo vehicles equipped with head restraints.

Federal law requires front seat belts for all passenger cars.

Federal law also establishes various crashworthiness standards to protect vehicle occupants.

1969

Head restraints required in U.S.

1971

Chrysler introduces a brake-slip control system, (an early version of antilock brakes).

1972

Federal law requires front bumpers meet 5 mph crash standard (later reduced to 2.5 mph in 1982).


1973

Side impact standards required for all new cars.

Federal law requires three-point lap-shoulder belts with inertia reels.

1974

General Motors produces the first airbags.

Federal law requires all vehicles to have seat belt interlock system that prevents engine from starting unless driver and passengers are buckled up (later repealed by Congress in response to public outcry over "inconvenience").

1978

Tennessee is the first jurisdiction in the world to pass a child passenger safety law.

1984

First U.S. seat belt use law is enacted in New York.