Crash Safety Then (1959) and Now (2009)

[Frank Lee]

Yes, that was the big deal back then, impaled by steering columns. IIRC it was Nader that brought reform to that item.

[RH77]

Originally Posted by Frank Lee

Yes, that was the big deal back then, impaled by steering columns. IIRC it was Nader that brought reform to that item.

Yeah, safety's a real buzzkill.

Every time I step onto an aircraft, decades of reform and NTSB-mandated reforms, make certain that the plane will probably make it wherever in one piece -- as opposed to a cold-war era, Russian Antonov with 40 years on the airframe and "some" maintenance records.

It's the finest example of how Government-mandated safety modifications have made a form of transportation the safest per passenger-mile. The evolution of safety in the auto world has increased that safety margin as well.

Unfortunately, most manufacturers haven't figured out how to increase FE technology at the same rate (or haven't been mandated to do so). Volvo had it figured out before Nader came on the scene, and for a while, offered competitive FE at the same time.

RH77

[Frank Lee]

More footage! With sound! In real-time!

Highway Safety Exclusive: Car Crashes, Travel Deaths Prevented by Technology - ABC News

And some info: each car was going 40 mph- yup, 80 mph closing speed!

What I don't know is, was the '59 driver even belted in? Answer: No.

And here is the car when the previous owner had it:







Ask The Best And Brightest: Is This The Bel Air The IIHS Destroyed? | The Truth About Cars

6 cyl 3-on-the-tree, 60,000 miles!

[Frank Lee]

Here's an LOL





P.S. Want to point out the "winning" 22.38 mpg in the Eco Marathon!

I figured (no gas log though!) my 283/PG combo at 20 mpg. However I've got mammoth oversized tires on it and haven't corrected for that.

[cfg83]

Frank -

How depressing. If the Bel-Air was sacrificed to save lives, there should be a monument in it's name.

CarloSW2

[Frank Lee]

Yeah.

[jcp123]

That's the most depressing test I've seen. '59 Chevys are among my favourites.

IIRC that six with the three speed instead of a powerglide could touch 30mpg with half-decent driving and not even a rejet on the carb.

[Frank Lee]

Maybe if you live in Colorado and pulse n glide the **** out of it.

[jcp123]

Not sure it was a full-size Chev...might have been a later 230 in something smaller but IIRC when I heard about it, it was a 235. I know the 200" Mustangs and Falcons are capable of it, though a base hardtop rolls at around 2500 or 2600lbs, a lot lighter than a '59 Chev, without options probably a 3500 or 3600lb car.