Seat belts

[dr]

I recently heard, I think it was from the Swigart Museum in Pennsylvania, that Tucker was the first to offer seat belts. Anyone know if this is correct and what year? <p></p><i></i>

[Bret Offutt]

True Blue, It was the first. Actually a lot of firsts <p></p><i></i>

[jfollis640]

MYTH! The Tucker Motorcar did NOT come with seat belts. While the Tucker had several first the seat belt was not one of them.<br>
<br>
Regards<br>
<br>
Jay Follis<br>
Tucker Historical Collection and Library <p></p><i></i>

[gojoe283]

B"H<br>
<br>
As I understand it, Preston Tucker wanted them, but they were squashed by the "board" before the cars were built. <p></p><i></i>

[john]

Thats really quite a good question as it is a standard in all current automobiles worldwide.
There was a special F.W.D. Speedster built that was licensed, titled and street driven.
It was designed and built in the era or 1934-1935 and in 1936, it is documented that it did have seat belts.

When finished, it was sent invitation to be at the Chicago International Auto show as a highlight car on podium, it was then placed on the front cover of the NY International Auto show by Invitation.
One might say that it is possibly the first futuristic/concept car ever built.

This gentleman was very prominent, he was the best man at Gordon Buehrig's wedding and they were also life long friends.
I often wonder if Alex Trimulis knew him also, the years, timing and circumstance were perfect?
Hope this answer's your question about seat belts.

UPDATED;
Streamliner brought up the Dymaxion in a post herein I believe.
In our best research, this is the first known "meant for street usage " car to have used seat belts.
A traggic story follows it though.
All the best today,
John

[toolguybak]

In some of the movie shots, where Preston Tucker (Jeff Bridges) is driving, part of a three point seat belt system can clearly be seen on the interior of the B-pillar.
Correct configuration or movie goof?

[plancor 792]

Brian, don't know what you are looking at in those scenes but I can tell you NO Tucker automobile ever had seat belts in it. In most of the scenes Jeff Bridges is seen driving, he is in Dave Cammack's Tucker 1022 or in Francis Ford Coppola's Tucker 1037.

Richard Jones

[toolguybak]

Richard--I may be mistaken. Reference the chase sequence with the two police cars. What looks like a seat belt on the B-pillar may be a grab strap for the rear passengers. Was there a grab strap feature?

[plancor 792]

Brian, you are correct. That is a grab strap for rear seat passengers. Some of the cars did not have these straps as well as some did not have ash trays when they were built.
Richard