"New Ford Seat Belts, an Important Feature of Ford Lifeguard Design," 1956

Ford made safety a central feature of its 1956 models with the "Lifeguard" campaign. Seat belts were a $9 option, and breakaway rear-view mirrors, reinforced door locks, padded dashboards, and steering wheels with recessed hubs were also available. Safety became an increasingly important concern for automakers, government regulators, and customers in the following decade.