r/Damnthatsinteresting • u/firefly99999 • 27d ago

Video Crashing in a 1950s car vs. a modern car

57.5k Upvotes

95% Upvoted

2.2k comments sorted by

View all comments

Show parent comments

24

u/corporaterebel 27d ago edited 23d ago

My 1965 Mustang, one could return the rear seatbelts, if equipped, to the dealer for a $10 credit.

In 1966 Mustangs had front and rear seatbelts.

Henry Ford II was complaining that "McNamara was selling safety, but Chevy was selling cars!"

3

u/zneave 27d ago

Don't forget the passenger side mirror was also optional 😂

1

u/tnstaafsb 26d ago

This is true. I have a '66 and it doesn't have a passenger side mirror.

1

u/darrenvonbaron 27d ago

Why was Ford complaining about Chevrolet cars?

5

u/corporaterebel 27d ago

Chevy was selling performance and/or size.

Ford was trying to sell safety with seatbelts, crash pads, and other safety bits.

People back then would rather pay for power and/or size than safety.

1

u/ONROSREPUS 27d ago

seatbelts in fords didn't become standard until 1967. My 66 Fairlane did not come with front seat belts.

1

u/corporaterebel 23d ago

yes, I used ALL when I meant Mustangs. corrected.