Cars are a big part of our lives, but did you know these interesting facts? Cars are a major part of history and are part of our everyday lives, but there are many bizarre facts about cars that aren’t generally known. Keeping these odd facts in mind will help you gain insight into the automotive world. Read on to learn more about cars. Listed below are some of the most interesting facts about cars.

The Ford Model T was the world’s first global car

The Ford Model T was the first car to be built in several countries at the same time. It was initially manufactured in Walkerville, Canada, and Trafford Park, Greater Manchester, England, and later assembled in Germany, Argentina, France, and Spain. The Model T was also assembled at several locations in the US. Model Ts were the first cars to use the left-hand steering wheel. Today, the left-hand steering wheel is still used in automobiles.

The Ford Model T became the world’s first global car, selling throughout the world and in many countries. The Model T’s iconic design inspired many car designers to produce their own variations. Henry Ford’s model T was built with hundreds of manufacturing and engineering innovations. Among these innovations was the high-volume precision machine tool used to produce the car’s cylinder block. Today, there are more than 300 aftermarket suppliers for Model Ts in the US.

The Studebaker Type 542 was the first Porsche

The Studebaker Type 542 was a four-door sedan prototype that was built in the 1950s with the intent of partnering with Porsche. The car was a success, and was eventually built in mass production. Studebaker was not interested in serial production, but it did allow Porsche to develop the car with the same type of engine that was used in the Porsche 356. The car was presented at the 1954 Geneva Motor Show and drove by famous importer Max Hoffman.

The Type 542 had a front-engine and rear-drive layout and was initially analyzed in 1956, but Studebaker decided not to produce it. The prototypes were destroyed. In the end, the Studebaker Type 542 had a smaller engine than the Champion, and was designed to look more European from certain angles. As such, it had a lot in common with the Porsche 911.

Seat belts save one life every six minutes

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), seat belts save one life every six minutes in motor vehicle accidents. The use of seat belts has reduced fatalities by 60 percent and injuries by 45 percent. These measures have saved more lives than all other safety features combined. In 2017, seat belts saved approximately 2,549 lives. These statistics are a testament to how important seat belts are.

Research has shown that seat belts prevent fatal injuries in nearly 50 percent of collisions. In 2014, seat belts were responsible for saving 12,802 lives. In the early 1980s, seat belts were only 11 percent effective. Ford was the first automotive manufacturer to deploy the BeltMinder system, which increased the use of seat belts by five percent in preliminary testing. The researchers estimate that this enhanced seat belt reminder is more effective than a four to eight-second reminder.

Airbags deploy within 40 milliseconds of a collision

The Airbags deployed in a recent car accident have been called life-savers for many. They can be deployed within 40 milliseconds after a collision, which is considerably faster than the human eye blinks. Airbags also don’t deploy in full during an accident, letting out only a small amount of air, but they still keep the driver safe. Advanced airbags consider the size of the driver and distance from the dashboard or steering wheel. Manufacturers also carry out rigorous tests and calibrate the airbag sensors.

When an automobile hits a solid object, the front airbags deploy first and the side airbags deploy after about 30 to 40 milliseconds. The side airbags, on the other hand, deflate after a crash, so the occupant does not experience airbag injuries. Airbags can deploy in just a few seconds, but they do need to be properly installed and configured.

The Ford Model T was the car that standardized the left-hand steering wheel

In 1927, Ford announced that it would no longer produce the Model T. The company was forced to scrap some forty thousand tools used to manufacture the Model T. They also built six new cars as part of its centennial celebrations. These cars were dubbed Model A and were later renamed as such. The left-handed steering wheel was later adopted by other companies and became standard.

Although the left-hand steering wheel wasn’t standardized until the 1930s, American cars have always been driven on the left. The Ford Model T, which was produced in 1908, was the first car to feature a left-hand steering wheel. By the time it was standardized, all other American cars were still driven on the right. This was a common practice until 1915, when Ford introduced the Model T, the first car with a left-hand steering wheel.