Thread: Hot Rod newb....question about safety equipment

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OK, I recently picked up a chopped '29 five window coupe and although there has been a ton of go-fast mods done by the PO, there's practically zero safety equipment

No rollcage, no seat belts and the dual seat isn't even bolted down

Now, this is by far the oldest car I've ever owned and I'm not even sure if there were seat belts back then, but would it be a legal requirement now or is it considered exempt due to age?

I plan on adding a pair of lap belts at the very least, but in the meantime, I'd like to know if the current seatbelt law still applies in case I get pulled over (which is very likely lol)

You will have to check your states requirements on that. I would doubt if that could hold up since it is a 29' model. That being said I would personaly be adding some for the safety of yourself along with any passengers that might travel with you (wife,kids). I wouldn't be driving it if the seat was not bolted down that is just an accident waiting to happen. Ok special case for the first fire run just to check it out LOL. Give the car a good going over and list down the problems and start tackling them one by one as to the severity. Good luck with the ride and welcome to the site. Post some photos !!!

Roll cage would be more if you were going to race it. I mean, you COULD put one in, but A coupes are cramped enough without having to climb over bars or share head room with one. Seatbelts are generally not required on any car before about 1955 because the manufacturers didn't start using them until then. But your car has to be titled as one before that year. If the title reads reconstructed from parts or whatever term your State uses, belts are probably required.

If I had a coupe I would put seat belts in, but since I have roadsters I don't use them. If the car flips I don't want to be wearing it, I'd rather be thrown clear and take my chances. But that is a personal choice.

Don

Thanx for the info, guys

Here are a couple of pix:

The other thing you might install is a fire extinquisher. I used to carry one in my 27, but people kept stealing it (open roadster) If I can find a place to hide it this time I am going to carry one again.


Don

If whoever built the car stayed with the stock seat hardware then the bottom cushion drops into a pan that is part of the floor structure, so not exactly as some might think from the description. It should have some locating lugs. If there's concern about it "flopping" about it can be located with a couple of those spring lugs shaped sort of like an arrowhead.

Each state has it's own view on the seat belt thing, they weren't federally mandated until '67, though as Pops mentioned they were an option from some companies prior. That being said, it's silly to not have them (properly installed).

One more thing you might consider are door latches if the car has only the stock ones. Depending on how the car was built, Model As can be pretty flexible. It's always.......uh.....interesting.....when you power through a turn and your door(s) swing open. Might scare some little ol' lady on the curb too.

OK - since you are in NY, the inspection law is flaky. Whatever was in the car when manufactured is all they have to inspect. That means no seat belts required, but with that power, a 4 point harness is desireable. Coupes had w/s wipers, but were manual with a vacuum version an option. Now, if you register it as home built, which I DO NOT recommend, you will need a bill of sale for every major (and depending on the inspector) and sometimes minor part. This BOS will need the serial number if it has one. If it doesn't or doesn't match the BOS, they will impound that part at that time with you doing the disassembly. I just went through the registration process in Saratoga County of my '31. I had my car BOS which was all I needed, and paid NYS Sales tax on the car. I was issued a temporary non-transferable registration which in 30 days was replaced by the final. I also received a 10 day permit to get the car inspected. Again, back to homebuilt - you will also be required to have any current safety equipment as well as emissions parts on the car based on the year of the engine - and in the area South of Dutchess County - that can be bad news.

I still need to have the NY Inspection, but that happens tomorrow at 9:00AM. I had a bunch of very minor things that needed to be finished and between the mega hot weather and being out of town, have had to put it off.

Oh - a fire extinguisher as Don said (thanks, Don), great idea as I had forgotten to install one. And I do have lap belts - had 4 point, but I think I want to be able to try to duck if the need occurs, but regardless want to stay in the car if I meet up with, say a 20" oak. If I install a roll bar, then I'll go back to the other belts.

Well, I live in NYC, but also have a few houses in FL, so I register all my vehicles and toys down there (no way can I afford NYC insurance lol)

I've had my NY State inspection license for over a decade now, but it's been suspended more times than I can count for passing all my friends' smogless race cars

That being said, I registered the coupe yesterday

It had a clear FL title and it is registered as a 1929 Model A (not a homebuilt)

It already has a bracket installed for a fire extinguisher, but the po kept it, so I'll probably swipe one from one of my Waverunners and just stick it in there

Yup,
Fire extinguisher is a must and I have one in my T.

Not running seat belts as Pops said I would not want to wear my roadster all the way through the accident not having a roll bar or cage to keep me from being crushed (might change my mind when I am flying throug the air at 50 mph)

Another though on safety even though it is not a piece of safety equipment....Since you boaught the car recently and were not there when the frame was built, have you checked your scrublines? Might be a good idea to check and make sure your rim is the thing that hits the ground in the event of a flat and not a piece of the suspension (horror stories about pole vaulting coupes)

My two cents. Don Jr.

Originally Posted by 98 SNAKE EATER

Well, I live in NYC, but also have a few houses in FL, so I register all my vehicles and toys down there (no way can I afford NYC insurance lol)

I've had my NY State inspection license for over a decade now, but it's been suspended more times than I can count for passing all my friends' smogless race cars

That being said, I registered the coupe yesterday

It had a clear FL title and it is registered as a 1929 Model A (not a homebuilt)

It already has a bracket installed for a fire extinguisher, but the po kept it, so I'll probably swipe one from one of my Waverunners and just stick it in there

Why did I bother then - if you knew everything!!!