Racing Harness, 1950-1960

01

Artifact Overview

Driver safety improved dramatically over the more than 30 years that Bobby Unser raced. One of the most important precautions was simply to secure the race driver to the car with a safety harness. Racing safety belts evolved from simple straps to elaborate five-point harnesses. Unser used this harness, which he adapted from aircraft equipment, early in his career.

Artifact Details

Artifact

Harness

Date Made

1950-1960

Collection Title

Location

Not on exhibit to the public.

Object ID

2009.171.9

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford. Gift of Bobby and Lisa Unser.

Material

Canvas
Cotton (Textile)
Metal

Technique

Casting (Process)
Weaving

Color

Blue
Gray (Color)
White (Color)

Inscriptions

On label: AIR ASSOCIATES/ A.C. CAT. #89/ MODEL NO./ M264/ A.A. NO. [blank]/ DATE OF MANUFACTURE/ [blank]/ APPROVED FOR ONE PERSON/ AIR ASSOCIATES, INC. TETERBORO, N.J. On top of metal buckle: PRESS/ TO/ FASTEN/ LIFT/ TO/ RELEASE/ INSERT TIP UNDER HERE/ AND UNDER HERE On bottom of metal buckle: RUSCO/ PAT2191228/ TOG-L-LOK BUCKLE/ C.A.A.-A.S. 90/ D-665/ A.E. 300/ 1 OR 2 PERSONS
Racing Harness, 1950-1960