barn find 1968 rambler american eco project!!

[slowmover]

Originally Posted by cRiPpLe_rOoStEr

You might also remember that newer cars are getting heavier, and their electric systems are harder to deal with, so refurbishing an old beater and eventually retrofitting some more efficient components is perfectly reasonable.

Along with three-point seat belts, reinforced seat attachments (and seat backs), 4-whl disc brakes, and rack & pinion steering, not just radial tires, electonic ignition and gas-charged shock absorbers.

There's a point where a car is no longer feasible as a daily driver from the aspect of risk minimization. The cost for doing the above has nothing to do with any potential re-sale value, but with wise use of money.

Only takes one good wreck to lose the use of that money (as a so called investment), but that ones future income earnng potential is affected depending on severity of injury (where a fairly new used car is a better choice).

I admire the route and thinking by the OP as I've done this sort of thing myself. Yet it doesn't change the heightened risks.

[slownugly]

You are correct by the heightened risk. The car does thankfully have 3 point harnesses in the front at least. And a dual master cylinder (fun tip rambler was the first company to come out with a dual master cylinder in I think 1963. As well as having seat belts standard before it was made mandatory in either 68 or 69 off the top of my head)

Any way, the best way to prevent heightened risk is sensible driving. I drove through a dozen winter storms last year in my crappy 20 year old civic, some with white out conditions, with 4 bald tires. Brand new jeeps and suburbans with who knows how many fancy airbags and traction control and abs systems passing me. 2 miles down the road they are upside down in a ditch.


Driving sensibly in my rambler, I will be twice as safe than some idiot cruising down the road texting and eating breakfast in a brand new car.

As a classic car enthusiast I do realize the safety hazards but I do It anyways because I love it. Motorcyclists take an even larger risk but they still do it because they love it

[slownugly]

[freebeard]

I admire the route and thinking by the OP as I've done this sort of thing myself. Yet it doesn't change the heightened risks.

For mitigation you could look to the regulations of various sanctioning bodies, like NHRA or SCTA. In addition to slowmover's good suggestions you might add a 4-point roll cage with side intrusion bars.

The best safety item for me would be a dash-cam, to keep me honest.

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Originally Posted by slowmover

Along with three-point seat belts, reinforced seat attachments (and seat backs), 4-whl disc brakes, and rack & pinion steering, not just radial tires, electonic ignition and gas-charged shock absorbers.

There's a point where a car is no longer feasible as a daily driver from the aspect of risk minimization. The cost for doing the above has nothing to do with any potential re-sale value, but with wise use of money.

Only takes one good wreck to lose the use of that money (as a so called investment), but that ones future income earnng potential is affected depending on severity of injury (where a fairly new used car is a better choice).

I admire the route and thinking by the OP as I've done this sort of thing myself. Yet it doesn't change the heightened risks.

It's actually a valid point. No wonder I enjoy resto-mods more than a full restoration

[slownugly]

Control freaks makes a front subframe kit for this car. It's a tubular type subframe that also converts to rack and pinion and updated coil over suspension. And I believe disc brakes in the front as well. If its not in that kit scarebird makes the conversions. That's probably about the farthest I'd go. Maybe I could glue a whoopie cushion onto the steering wheel as an airbag.

The thing that scares me is the steering column. Like my old tech teacher said if you get into an accident with an older car the steering column turns into a spear.

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Driving dynamics can do more to prevent an accident than an airbag

[freebeard]

Has an airbag ever prevented an accident? I think they make them more likely.

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Originally Posted by freebeard

Has an airbag ever prevented an accident? I think they make them more likely.

Gotta have to agree with you on that matter. Since many of the nanny-gadgets make a regular driver excessively confident at a point that it would lead to negligence towards a safe driving style...

[slownugly]

Society is breeding terrible drivers. Cars that park themselves, cars that brake for you, traction control. They are taking driving out of your hands and putting trust into a computer. I can see why people are afraid of 4 wheel drum brakes and link style steering systems because they think the next best thing is peace of mind. Personally, I'd rather be in control of my vehicle than not. Last winter my fiancé called me in a panic on her way home from work. She was on a busy highway when it started snowing. She said the car was shutting off on her. The traction control was shutting the engine off to the tune of 15mph on a busy highway!! She almost got clobbered til I told her how to shut it off.

Just yesterday a truck passed my shop on a rollback with the entire front end smashed in to the engine. That truck had 4 wheel disc brakes, abs, and rack and pinion steering. That didn't stop him from slidin into a pole on a damp road.