When is old, to old?

[lgierloff]

My husband drives a 1971 Barracuda. How can I find out if the seat belts are up to standard for todays safety??

[CPSDarren]

Classic cars are rarely up to any modern standard in terms of safety. The NHTSA didn't even begin to require much in terms of crashworthiness until the 1980s, though seatbelt standards were improved in the 1970s.

For both children and adults, cars made in the 1970s and earlier are a big question mark. If a current child restraint can be installed correctly in the back seat, then it should be OK for a child to travel there. It's probably much less safe for the adults in the front seats. For an occasional ride, it may not be worth much concern. I would be more concerned if it was for use as a daily driver, though.