Custom built car…question about airbags?
I am planning on buying some junk car and turning it into a project car, and I was curious about a few things.
I plan to do the interior pretty much completely custom with fiberglass and/or other materials, and I was curious as to whether I would be required to put airbags in the vehicle.
Here is a picture of a vehicle that is completely done in fiberglass:
http://www.caraudiomag.com/features/caep_0803_2002_toyota_celica_gt/photo_02.html
also, how much would an insurance company charge extra for a vehicle without airbags? I don’t plan to make it a racer, just a custom show-car with a nice audio system, but I do plan to make the engine better than the stock engine (if the junk car’s engine doesn’t work anyway, might as well upgrade!)
PS – I want to get a convertible car to work on.
Also, should I add a racing seat with a harness for added protection?
you are not required to have airbags on the car. insurance will be the same kind you will put on a classic car such as stated amount insurance.
Nice example, geez I don’t know why anyone would put that kind of money into a Celica much less that many gauges, LCDs and etc.
If I was you I’d probably look for an 80s Camaro or better yet a Fiero to work off of. Put in an LS1. Rip out the whole interior and buy aftermarket gauges, steering wheel and the whole 9 yards. Then figure out where I want everything to be and make the mold for the fiberglass and get to work.
Racing seats aren’t as much of a safety thing as a weight and comfort thing though they do make using racing harnesses easier which can save your life and keep you held in tight when you are going sideways.
If you are just making it a show car, not planning to drive it on the road, you can do just about anything to it.
If you plan to drive it you will have to get engineers reports on the safety of construction. Also an insurance company would put a huge premium on it.