1972 Volvo VESC Concept

From the viewpoint of appearance too, VESC hinted at the design language of the forthcoming Volvo 240, introduced in 1974 and later became Volvo's longest-lasting model ever, with almost 2.9 million cars produced during its 19-year production run. The Volvo 240 also became the reference car for the American road safety administration NHTSA.
•A series of concept carsThe VESC was equipped with a range of what at the time could only be regarded as highly innovative safety solutions.The VESC project had the following features, among many others:
•Safety belts of semi-passive type, that is to say the front seat belts were automatically strapped around the seat occupants when the car engine was started.
•Airbags for both front and rear seat occupants.
•Airbag as head restraint on the rear seat hatshelf.
•Concealed front seat head restraints that automatically deployed in a collision.
•A 'disappearing steering wheel'. In a frontal collision, the steering wheel was pulled forward 150 mm, away from the driver.
•Headlamp washers and wipers.
•Rear windscreen washers and wiper.
•Extra-sturdy body. The front and rear sections were designed for optimum impact absorption. The passenger compartment was also protected by a robust network of beams in the roof, including an integrated roll-over cage. The body sides were reinforced with tubes to provide extra protection in a side collision.
•The rear engine mounts were designed so the engine would be forced to slide down under the car in a frontal impact.
•The extremely pronounced bumpers gave the car a characteristic profile. They protected the body against panel damage in low-speed impacts at up to 16 km/h.
•Anti-locking brakes.
•Automatic ride-height control.
•Automatic fuel supply cut-off.
•Acoustic reversing warning.