Umh! Wearing seatbelts became compulsory in Victoria in 1970!
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Umh! Wearing seatbelts became compulsory in Victoria in 1970!
In Queensland compulsory fitment (in new cars only) was introduced 1st January 1972. Compulsory wearing, where fitted, happened 1980~1981 to the best of my memory.
It may be apocryphal, but I believe Victoria was the first in the world with this. Of course, the resultant practice of drilling holes in A pillars to accommodate belt fitment would be heavily frowned upon today, and results in an engineering fail.Quote:
Originally Posted by JDNSW
Our family car, back in the day, an EG Holden, had those bolts though the B pillers for it's retro fitted seat belts.Quote:
Originally Posted by Tins
Dad also fitted a MPH to KPH speedo converter, probably the safest or only way to wind a 149, 3 on the tree EH off the speedo😇
Dad was an engineer on the Snowy Scheme in the 50s and 60s, he said failing to wear a seat belt was a sacking offence.
The overnight Khancoban - Melbourne, and later Sydney - Melbourne runs were done with the back seat folded down and us kids tucked up in a bed in the back.
How times have changed.
Tony
Edit
Saved by Old Farang
Hmm, regardless of the date, there would not be much point drilling a hole in an "A" pillar! [biggrin]
Indeed....:wub:Quote:
Originally Posted by Old Farang
Hi
In 1965 the RAAF was selling seat belts at cost price and fitted free by Transport Sqn. It was an attempt to save lives of young blokes driving insane distances over weekends and holidays to meet up with family/girl friends.
Yep, non retractable 3 point belts with a bolt hole in the door pillar and 2 in the floor pan .
Cheers
Army didn't do that, but they did give extra days leave if you drove rather than flew. Of course the driving was done at warp speed to get extra time at home for leave periods. Weekends you were on your own.Quote:
Originally Posted by austastar
My cars were fitted with seat belts from 1962. Non retractable of course. In 1963 I bought a S/H SMHEA Series 1 - already had them fitted.
In 1972 I had a business trip to Adelaide (by air from Melbourne), and rented a car. I remember having a lot of issues booking a car with seat belts - and now I can't remember whether I actually managed to get one.
Heck, I'd buy one...
https://youtu.be/Z3RWT6TTGjI'si=AO1Ufo3FooxaKcyH