Lifeguard (automobile safety)
Lifeguard was the name of a 1956 safety package marketed by the Ford Motor Company.
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Spurred by Robert McNamara, the Cornell University crash research program and the first year of Ford's own crash testing (1955) the Lifeguard package included:
- Three standard features:
- A safety "deep-center" steering wheel[1] with spokes that would flex.[2][3]
- Safety "double-grip" door latches to prevent occupant ejection in case of a crash.
- Safety rearview mirror to reduce broken glass if shattered.[4]
- Two optional features:
- Front and rear [5] lap only seat belts (first offered by Ford in 1955[6]).
- Padded dashboard and sun visors (the padding was advertised as being more absorbent than foam rubber.)[7] The instruments were recessed to minimize injury potential.
According to some, the buying public was unresponsive to the Lifeguard package, prompting Henry Ford II to say: McNamara is selling safety, but Chevrolet is selling cars. though Ralph Nader and Joan Claybrook dispute this claiming that the package was extremely popular.[8]
1957 update
In 1957, Ford updated the Lifeguard safety package with a new frame that bowed out to completely enclose the passengers,[9] rear child-proof door locks,[10] a front hinged hood to protect against the hood flying up in the wind, and recessed knobs.[11]
Notes
- Flory, Jr., J. "Kelly" (2008). American Cars, 1946-1959 Every Model Every Year. McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers. ISBN 978-0-7864-3229-5.
- "Directory Index: Ford/1956 Ford/1956_Ford_Fairlane_Brochure".
- "1956 Mercury Advanced Safety-03". oldcarbrochures.org. Archived from the original on 2017-03-28.
- Temple, David W. (2010). Full-size Fords. ISBN 9781934709085.
- "Ford brochure: NEW FORD SEAT BELTS an important feature of Ford Lifeguard Design". Archived from the original on 2016-03-03. Retrieved 2008-04-15.
- "1956 Crown Victoria - 1955-1956 Ford Fairlane Crown Victoria - HowStuffWorks". HowStuffWorks. 4 September 2007.
- Popular Mechanics. Hearst Magazines. October 1955.
- YouTube.
- "1957 Ford Foldout-06-07". Archived from the original on 2014-11-29. Retrieved 2014-11-16.
- "1957 Ford Fairlane-22-23". Archived from the original on 2014-11-29. Retrieved 2014-11-16.
- "1957 Ford Fairlane-16-17". Archived from the original on 2014-11-29. Retrieved 2014-11-16.