[G&R's57GMC]

The above Chassis pic. was GM's way of getting the longer , lower , wider look by lowering the floor pan they could lower the roof line .
Remember hats were on the way out of fashion by '55 .

So the Longer Lower Wider was the latest Fashion in the auto industry .

It was all about Style .
Safety wasn't mentioned outside of Corporate offices closed doors
.
Remember how the Big 3 went after Tucker .

Only Ford gave it a nod in '56 with the deep dish steering wheel as standard . Also padded dash and seat belts as an Option.

Chrysler introduced the safety bead wheel . I think in the late 50's early 60's . It took years for others to follow .

Meanwhile Volvo developed 3 point safety belts in the 50's .

So do what ever you can to improve safety in you Classics after all it's you and yours life's that are at stake .