Hot Rods Safety and driving with traffic

Added a third, narrow upper taillight to the roadster.
Just above the sail panel, brakes on it lit up.

 

Nah.. alcohol. In general I use the 2-drink rule when I am out otherwise. I've had people run into me when I was parked and minding my own business. Any time I get into a car, the seat belts go on first even if I'm just listening to the radio in my driveway.

 

Trying to stay ahead doesn't work well. No matter how fast you go someone always wants to be in front of you. A lot of times people are trying to next to you or p*** to gander at the car. I drive defensively no matter what I drive so lack of air bags don't worry me.

 

I see the race cars online and at the track, I have great respect for the drivers of the fast old cars or trucks. I know how twitchy mine is and can't imagine what it takes at 100 + mph. Part of my problem with interstates is I don't drive them daily. Work is 3 miles away, top speed might be 45 with 13 traffic lights. If I have to get into rush hour, its pretty nerve racking. I am surprised the sides of the roads are not full of junk cars.

 

Hello
There is no way to compare today’s car technology with those that we drove as teenagers. Sure, the 58 Impala was fast and looked outstanding while sitting still or our cruising So Cal. But, as far as safety goes, whoa…”do not p*** go”, do not wear your old football helmet, protective gear, or fire suit. It it one of those things that just happens. Driving hot rods just had their thing going at the time. Safety from the factory did not start showing up until the early 60s "en m***e."

At the time of seat belts for cars, that was the latest tech from Detroit. But, what about the hard dash you head will hit when pushed forward, even with the seat belt. Or the not collapsible steering wheel that we used to see in those “Red Asphalt” styles of Driver Ed movies. What to do about those on a hot rod? Ever see a hot rod with a 283 turned into an altered coupe by hitting a tree or wall? Crush zones for help? Not on those hot rods.

There are only so many things one can do to keep the feeling of driving and owning a hot rod back then and now. Back then, we were teenagers that were supposed to be scared after watching “Red Asphalt.” We were not. Our multiple cars for cruising and racing just made everything happen in our short, but colorful teenage years.

Jnaki

One thing did come to mind when we got the 2nd 1940 Ford Sedan Delivery. We were 20 somethings and my wife’s mantra was… “If we put on the seat belts in the 1965 El Camino, why don’t we have some in the 40 Ford Sedan Delivery?” That was a good question, but temporarily solved by installing some custom seat belts for that feeling of security, despite all of the old vs new technology. At least, we would not get flung out of those tiny windows, if we ever rolled over or ???

These days, with all of the new technology, we all feel safer and p*** those on to our children or grandchildren. The hot rods, they will still be a part of those things that are old and fun…just like us.

Who said that there is no involvement by the next generation of teenagers? This story ***le says it all…. …(where were you in 1962?)
“Teenager solves car blind spots using a webcam and projector…”

 

If I worried about stuff like this I would sell everything and go live in a cave.

 

^^this, I drive my old cars the same as my new ones. If the handling is twitchy then you have a problem. Fix it. Old cars are not automatically scary to drive


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...I don't see the enjoyment in driving 75-80 MPH,.., take alternate routes,slow down, enjoy the drive,..the only time I wanna be goin 75-80 is to the emergency room.
...why is everyone in such a damn hurry?

 

Totally agree about the higher speeds, it's not going to happen again. I was in a hurry to get home.

 

You got that right. That D.C. Beltway will scare the hell out of you most any time. Have driven it a few times.

 

I lived in Melk for a while. Last time I drove over there was about 10 years ago. I found the mandatory truck speed a GREAT thing. I mostly drove around NO and it wasn't too bad I was just careful. Had a trip to Salzburg. The worst part to me was parking. Never drove in Wien though - too chicken. Servus!!

 

@6inarow: Servus der Herr, Melk is pretty but on the other side of the river where the southerners live, as said I usually go up north from Stockerau way to Laa an der Thaya and so on. Usually if you get there early on a Sunday you have whole stretches of road to yourself - best part is the road from Hollabrunn to Ernstbrunn where you go through the forest. Fast, long curves and some corners but you'd better not leave the road...

South Dakota, eh? I suppose north NÖ is the nearest we have to SD

 

I ate a cheeseburger the other day.

 

In the LA/OC area of Southern California there's no such thing as "good" driving conditions just like there aren't any good drivers. Scares the hell out of me driving anything but the DD 'cuz it's not ME I worry about. Been rear ended 4 times in Ram trucks and drove away from them, but the same thing in the '31 wouldn't be pretty.
The answer really is to move out of the area, but we're not at that point yet. I drive in selected areas at certain times to minimize the chances of being found by an idiot. Someday I'll enjoy driving again, but it won't be around here......

 

It’s easy to think, “That’ll never happen to us.”, until it happens.


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^^^^^DAMN! I hate that pic FB. That could have been disastrous.

 

My 2 hot rods are quite different, a '31"A" Hiboy, fenderless, and a '40 Ford coupe. And I have different concerns in them when driving in heavy traffic on X ways.
When in the roadster, I know full well I have no protection, that being open wheeled makes things unpredictable as all Hell in side impact collisions, plus other than a lap belt,I have nothing to protect my *** from serious injury. And I'll readily admit therein lies my concern.
In the '40, I have quite a bit more metal surrounding me, plus it has 4 wheel disc brakes, and feel lots better about the possibility of injury, and my concern goes to the pristine original metal of the car.
But in either one of them I'm, much more comfortable on back roads.
Around metro Atlanta, the urban Xways are posted at 55, but to keep up with the flow of traffic means 75-80 mph! And even then,some people will blow past you like you're standing still, often to turn off at the next exit!

 

Doesn't bother me to run 75 in the '34 on an interstate. Years ago we did that all the time but there is just too much traffic now. I try to take two lanes if possible just because it's easier on my blood pressure. I've been driving long enough to remember when you could get plum lonesome on an interstate(super slab). Ain't that way no more.

 

I spend a lot of time on two wheels. I'm more afraid of driving a hot rod in traffic because it's less nimble/maneuverable than a motorcycle. That said, I plan on driving the same way I ride -- like I'm invisible. If you ***ume that everyone out there is trying to kill you (either p***ively or actively), you'll drive differently and be more aware of your surroundings.

 

I had planned to drive my 33 to Back to the Fifties this summer, but it had other ideas. We hauled my pretty much stock and worn 40 to my friend's home in Bloomington, and drove from there. We had done this on I35 in road construction last year, and i wanted no part of it. I figured out how to set the gps routing in my phone to surface streets, and we had an absolute ball! In unfamiliar territory, I highly recommend learning how to block the interstates in unfamiliar territory.

 

Third brake light installed on my 60 Pontiac.

 

I want a 3rd brake light in my 29'. Getting hit from behind sitting at a light is my biggest fear. Also thought about a cage even just in the back possibly and an escape hatch/sunroof since I can't fit out my windows. Maybe I'm over thinking it but I'd rather be safe than sorry.

 

I understand why you'd put the pulse tail lights on but I hate those things. I don't blame you if you do though. They defiantly get your attention.

 

I haven't drank in many years so if I had 2 drinks I'd be F'd up. Never really liked that rule. Hope you tolerance is high. Good luck with that. Be safe.

 

Check out the video on YouTube 1959 Impala vs 2009 Malibu crash test. WOW!

 

Hello,

Compared to following an old hot rod several cars back at night, (or even during the day) the biggest problem is the brake/running lights facing the rear. Most old hot rods of any kind have the smallest lights that give off minimal lighting during running and braking. Obviously, the following driver should be attentive enough to see the minimal lights in the hot rod in front of him/her.

In my first 40 ford sedan delivery, I had a single brake light as that is the standard. I knew that I wanted to have two taillights, just for symmetry. I did not think of brake light safety as a teen. Driving during those times was big metal VS. metal and it was shaky... The problem was just pushed to the side because that is how it was.

In our 2nd sedan delivery, we had again, a single brake light. Plans were for another one on the other side of the rear end, matching the original one. But, as time ran out on our family life, the sedan delivery was sold and we did not have to worry about rear ending crashes.

Jnaki

Despite what the looks are for any hot rod, the third brake light has to be incorporated for safety. The minimal effects of a strip of led lights inside of the rear window plus the addition of the 2nd stock Ford brake light would have modernized the sedan delivery for the new times. People, now are used to seeing the 3rd brake light and for purists, nothing is added to the outside of the sedan delivery. (the normal day light view would be just a window.)

On any hot rod, even if it is a minimal eye level 3rd brake light, that increases your chances against the drivers behind you. All forms of thin, but bright led lighting can be used. For the traditionalists, if it is inside of any rear window and does not protrude up or above the body lines, it is all good for safety and looks. It still is a hot rod, just more added that no one is aware of until the brake pedal is stomped on during braking.

In these days of interruptions from cell phones or just gabbing, more awareness should prevent "rear-enders" by using a third rear brake light. If a "newish" hot rod were to appear in our small garage, the first thing would be to install a third brake light in an incon****uous place for all to see during braking and running.

 

With the tail lights so low the 3rd break light is a great idea. I have LEDs in my tail lights but will definitely be putting in a 3rd light this winter.