SDC Member Involved in Fatal Crash

[mbstude]

'56J seat belts.



Matthew Burnette
Hazlehurst, GA

[55 prez]

I can hardly express the sorrow I have for the Calhoun family. They would travel anywhere for Studebaker people and did so for our Ozark Trails Chapter several times. We had them at a Mall Show in Joplin and our Orphan Car Show in Branson where they were great hits with the crowds. We are praying for the family and especially Jim that they may be restored to their health and fun loving vitality.
Jim Caldwell

[studeclunker]

I don't know weather to sing praises that Mrs. Calhoun wasn't in the car or not. Talk about conflicted. But thank God anyway. Hopefully Jim recovers soon. The car and it's belts or lack thereof are incidental, Jim isn't. Still, he and his family are probably really hurt with the loss of a member. May our gracious Lord bless and comfort them.


Home of the famous Mr. Ed!
Lotsa Larks!
K.I.S.S. Keep It Simple Studebaker!
Ron Smith
Where the heck is Lewiston, CA?

[bondobilly]

Those 56J seat belts are much more dangerous than not wearing one. Ford offered them the same year that Studebaker did starting in 55, and there are different versions between Studebaker models, some where made for sedans and some made for the C and K bodies. Both Ford and Studebaker's belts are real aircraft seat belts, but by securing them to the door presents huge problems upon impact. Should the door open, which the belts are supposed to prevent the wearer would be subject to masive internal injuries as the right side of the belt will be tight and the doors mass will pull on it.

The other problem is that Studebaker did not provide a seperate plate to be installed inside the door to hold mounting tab as pictured above. The whole belt is held in position by 5 machine screws into the inner part of the door. The best method would have been to make a bracket and plate combo where bolts would go through the door and be re-enforced with nuts and lock washers.

This also addresses a post I made earlier about how to keep the sea back from flying foward.

[stan zoerner]

Good to see this thread try to turn into something positive.As it happens[8D],I have a set of those kind of belts that i was going to install on the door.Thought they would look kool.Now I am rethinking[^].My best prayers and thoughts to all.

[55 prez]

Does anyone have an update on Jim Calhoun's condition?

[lstude]

This report is from Wes on the Studebaker/Erskine AACA forum.

Well, they operated on his knee and I spoke to him on the phone. It turns out that his ribs are fractured and parts of his back, so, they are going to put him into a cast and he will be off his feet for a while. But, he is of sound mind, etc. The other driver has been charged, with the death of the woman and injuring Jim.
_________________________
Wes'



Leonard Shepherd
http://leonardshepherd.com/

[55 prez]

Thank you for the update and under the circumstances this is probably the best news we can hope for. Keep them in your prayers.

[curt]

For what it is worth. We have a good friend, age 77, who was T boned. She had a broken back in several places and after a painful recovery is relatively pain free and back to normal. Normal for her is a busy farm gal/hand.

[barnlark]

Thanks for the update, Leonard. I hope Jim is in just as good spirits as his body sounds like it's repairing right now. This has made quite an impact on us all, I think and we all wish him the best of luck and health.

[studeclunker]

quote:For what it is worth. We have a good friend, age 77... <snip> Normal for her is a busy farm gal/hand.

Busy Farm gal/HAND[?] At 77 years old[?][?][?][?] Now THAT'S impressive![:0] Hopefully Mr. Calhoun does as well...


Home of the famous Mr. Ed!
Lotsa Larks!
K.I.S.S. Keep It Simple Studebaker!
Ron Smith
Where the heck is Lewiston, CA?