How you'd fair crashing your classic car.

[Old Henry]

A great video by Consumer Reports of a head-on collision between a 2009 Chevy Malibu and a 1959 Bel Air: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fPF4fBGNK0U

That steering column coming up to hit me in the face or chest is what I've always feared most.

[19Fordy]

Gee, what a shame to destroy that nice collectible car.
However, new cars are built safer -designed to save lives.

[rowens55]

Shocking!!! I had no idea!! But I guess that's why (without even knowing) I drive in the slow lane!!

[Tinker]

Originally Posted by 19Fordy

Gee, what a shame to destroy that nice collectible car.
However, new cars are built safer -designed to save lives.

At least they used a 4 door

[rheltzel]

As I drive my '35 (stock except for '39 hydraulic brakes) every day in all sorts of conditions, I notice that I'm driving much more defensively and carefully than in a modern car, which makes up for some of the additional risk inherent in driving a car that was never designed with the sort of crash survivability that we take for granted nowadays. I admit that won't help me if some idiot in a modern 7,000 lbs. F350 crosses the center line and hits me head on, but by driving defensively, the way we should always drive regardless of the car we're in, I figure I've improved the odds enough that I feel almost as safe as I do when driving a modern car. Whether or not that's a false sense of security, I've put 10,000+ safe driving miles on my '35 in the last two years. Not as much as Ol' Henry, but quite a few.

[Tim Ayers]

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Search Youtube for films of even older cars crashing. I was amazing to see how the body would become detached from the frame with so many '30's-era cars. Crashes must have been a life or death situation; especially before safety glass.

[wbedwards]

That video is mainly why I put seatbelts in my 59

[46ford]

Originally Posted by wbedwards

That video is mainly why I put seatbelts in my 59

That video is a great illustration of why seat belts won't help in my '59. Seat belts are part of the total design of new cars, not an add-on.

Drive safely. Most accidents (even where someone runs the red light) are preventable if you drive defensively.

[robert dick]

v8coopman
might be the same one , it used to be hangered in the same hanger as me in Bedford ma

[Hoop]

"You're kidding, right? You're not seriously suggesting that the brave Army Air Corps pilots who risked their lives to protect B-17 crews from German Me 109's were in the same class of character as Evel Knievel, are you?"

rheltzel,

Sorry that you did not understand my comment about P-51 pilots. It was a compliment to a group of men who easily humble even today's military aviators.

I can understand that you have no idea of the danger they faced from not just the missions they flew but from flying an aircraft that demanded an immense amount of skill and guts to fly.

PeterC is being modest. Like any red-blooded pilot, he would have flown the P-51 even if it was guaranteed to rip his ears off, set his hair on fire, and leave him with a permanent limp. Actually it could do much worse.

Safety is a relative term. Safe for Peter would scare the crap out of most men.

[PeterC]

Originally Posted by Hoop

"You're kidding, right? You're not seriously suggesting that the brave Army Air Corps pilots who risked their lives to protect B-17 crews from German Me 109's were in the same class of character as Evel Knievel, are you?"

rheltzel,

Sorry that you did not understand my comment about P-51 pilots. It was a compliment to a group of men who easily humble even today's military aviators.

I can understand that you have no idea of the danger they faced from not just the missions they flew but from flying an aircraft that demanded an immense amount of skill and guts to fly.

PeterC is being modest. Like any red-blooded pilot, he would have flown the P-51 even if it was guaranteed to rip his ears off, set his hair on fire, and leave him with a permanent limp. Actually it could do much worse.

Safety is a relative term. Safe for Peter would scare the crap out of most men.

Did not mean to set this thread off in the wrong direction - just wanted to correlate safety is a learned state of mind ... and just to be clear - I was not a WWII combat pilot as the war was long over when I fell in love with these birds - started my civilian flying interest in 1968 with my first ride in a 51 .. set my mind to be a pilot and fly them .. which I was lucky to experience.This is me in 1968 (click to enlarge).

Glad everyone is all settled down again.

[wbedwards]

Originally Posted by 46ford

That video is a great illustration of why seat belts won't help in my '59. Seat belts are part of the total design of new cars, not an add-on.

Drive safely. Most accidents (even where someone runs the red light) are preventable if you drive defensively.

Your right, but, should it happen we will at least stay in the car and not go on an excursion outside through a window. That car has heavy metal and a full frame, but no crumple zones and I would not want to have a wreck in it. I am not comfortable driving very fast with the manual brakes, steering, and old rims although I have been through all of it and it is in good shape.

[Old Henry]

Originally Posted by wbedwards

Your right, but, should it happen we will at least stay in the car and not go on an excursion outside through a window.

That's about all I figure I'll get out of my seat belts as well - they'll at least keep me in the car.

[scooder]

Originally Posted by wbedwards

Your right, but, should it happen we will at least stay in the car and not go on an excursion outside through a window. That car has heavy metal and a full frame, but no crumple zones and I would not want to have a wreck in it. I am not comfortable driving very fast with the manual brakes, steering, and old rims although I have been through all of it and it is in good shape.

What's wrong with manual steering and brakes? And your wheels, yes wheels, if you've had the tyres off you'll know if there ok, wouldn't you?
I don't own anything with power steering or brakes, I do know the condition of my wheels. It concerns me not. Oddly my opinion is almost directly opposite. I don't like the lack of feel with power steering or brakes, mine tell me all the info I need. I know exactly what my cars limits are, cus I can feel it. I'm sure all this power assisted stuff lulls drivers into a false sense of security, only giving the info when it's too late.
I do drive defensively, I learnt from the start to think that every other driver on the road is trying to kill me, seems to work. That and not driving on the other guys back bumper.
Martin.
Atleast they used an off brand car in that film.

[Old Henry]

Originally Posted by scooder

I don't like the lack of feel with power steering or brakes, mine tell me all the info I need. I know exactly what my cars limits are, cus I can feel it. I'm sure all this power assisted stuff lulls drivers into a false sense of security, only giving the info when it's too late.

One of my kids hit something because when he slammed on the power brakes in the car there was that delay that they all have before they really grab. I much prefer my good old non-power-assist juice brakes that grab instantly when hit. Non of that mushy power brake junk.

[TonyM]

Originally Posted by wbedwards

That video is mainly why I put seatbelts in my 59

The way that "A" pillar collapsed, not sure seatbelts would have helped in the 1959 Chevy.

I know that if some one hits me head on or from the side while I am going 45mph in my 1937, I am pretty much finished.

[Admiral]

I often joke -- a bit of gallows humor -- that getting into a fender-bender while driving my '36 would be lethal. Crashing is always in the back of my mind when I'm in it, though I don't let it scare me. I say a little prayer before heading out and try not to do anything reckless.

[PeterC]

Originally Posted by Admiral

I often joke -- a bit of gallows humor -- that getting into a fender-bender while driving my '36 would be lethal. Crashing is always in the back of my mind when I'm in it, though I don't let it scare me. I say a little prayer before heading out and try not to do anything reckless.

I'm with you re "Crashing is always in the back of my mind " -
when I was flying P51 Mustangs ... crashing was always on my mind - in a good way ... I was very careful to have a plan B at all times as best I could ... carried that thought driving old cars as well - always do a "preflight" before getting out on the road, air pressure, coolant level, fuel level, brake check, oil check, steering, etc. ... ALWAYS driving with safety in my mind - how fast, what lane, who’s around me, what’s happening far ahead and behind me, exit strategy for emergency move etc. And yes - I very much enjoy being out in the 35 Coupe - but tempered by my pilot training.

[robert dick]

Peter C
ever run across a P51 named "ain't missbehavin--

[V8COOPMAN]

Originally Posted by robert dick

Peter C
ever run across a P51 named "ain't missbehavin--

This 'n? DD