I agree. The only way to avoid the danger is not to buy one, but what fun is that? Hart is being sued for not anticipating how bad his car will crumple in a rollover. If he took every measure for safety the car wouldn’t have a back seat and he might still have a broken back or neck due to Black’s inept driving. The…

It’s a tongue-in-cheek comment. Legal or not, people add them. Muscle cars of that era are death traps.

You and I are in complete agreement. But then you don't get to drive that sweet, sweet 1970 barracuda and I don't want to live in a world where you can't.

I’m too young to know firsthand, but a ‘cuda owner here remarked that the shoulder belt was factory installed on the 70, but driver and passenger optional. You attached the shoulder strap to the tongue of the lap belt if you wanted to use it and stowed it on the headliner to keep it out of the way.

That’s a valid opinion, but some people still take measures. I don’t think they’re fooling themselves by trying to protect themselves with a roll bar and safety harness - not just because of the potential mistake they can make but as a measure of safety from other drivers. 

You’re right of course. There’s no taking a 1970s muscle car and making it safe in the same sense as a modern one. Add a roll bar or roll cage for rigidity and you increase the potential for a massive head injury. Hart bought a show car and a gorgeous one at that. He also let his friend Jared drive it and Jared did…

I was being facetious. There’s no way to make a car from 1970 as safe as something built today, especially in a rollover wreck. I’m of the opinion that when you have a car with these kinds of upgrades, you take some measures for occupant safety, respect the power of an engine that’s four times more powerful than most…

Yeah, but I don’t want to live in a world without classic cars of any kind - especially muscle cars. And for a $700,000 restomod, I’d want a build that takes some safety into consideration. The law doesn’t call for that and not everyone thinks about older cars being deathtraps.

I’m not aware of the details of the sale other than the link I posted about his purchase. Whether he ordered it this way or not, he assumed the risk every modified car owner takes. 

Someone else mentioned this. If it was optional, that means only the lap belts were mandatory under the law. It appears from the photos that the shoulder harness was deleted.

Another commenter noted that the original Barracuda had an optional shoulder belt that could be stowed on the headliner. You pull it down and attach to the tongue, then insert into the buckle. From the photos of Hart’s car, there does not appear to be a third point. Lap belts only. I’m guessing the law didn’t require…

Yes, yes. We all know how Dale Earnheard died and it was tragic, considering he said that HANS devices were for pussies.

Stop what? Engaging your rabid pedantism? I’ve spoken broadly, but when I say “most people” it’s in reference to people I know. I’ve seen many heavily modified muscle cars with five point harnesses. I’ve seen modern cars from the 90s and 00s that do without because they already have three point safety belts. It’s a…

I have a few threads going and I’ve spoken broadly. We’re in agreement here.

This conversation is germane to aftermarket parts. the only way you can import a car that is not street legal in the United States is through the “show and display” law. That's how Bill Gates got a Porsche 959 into the country. Probably not worth the effort. 

On a $700,000 car, I’d expect some middle ground. Speedkore builds to order and Hart didn’t order it.

This isn’t about most people. This is about Kevin Hart and the outcome of his decision. I’m sure Speedkore offered him safety upgrades as part of their build package and he declined. He could fight this lawsuit and win because everything he did was within the law. I’m not arguing that Hart was wrong for omitting safety…

Not sure if it would have changed the outcome in this wreck, but this is good to know. Thanks.

Forget about horsepower for a minute. If you’re riding in Hart’s 1970 Barracuda and got in that wreck, would you prefer to be held in place with a lap belt or a harness?

You forfeit a lot when you choose to drive or ride in an older vehicle. In the end, adding safety upgrades is a personal choice. Most people do it because even though it’s not required, it is prudent.