Crash test, old vs new...
- Thread starter northcreek
- Start date
Mooseman
Moderator
Yeah, it looked like a totally cherry 59 but, I guess that a rust bucket wouldn't have provided a true result, for sure I would want to be in the Malibu.
- Jul 22, 2015
- 2,724
Small overlap frontal offset, about 40mph, IIRC.
The two telling shots are the interiors of both, in slo-mo.
In the Bel Air, the entire steering column is detached and pushed back into the driver. The front bench seat is torn off its mounting, and of course, 1959 cars didn't have mandated seat belts. So the driver flies around as if he were a pinball.
The one thing they don't show is the 'after' shot with the dummies, but it's pretty safe to say... if the Bel Air dummy 'lived', he'd be in very bad shape. Multiple traumas; perhaps an amputation of part of the left foot / lower leg. Pelvic / hip fractures on that same side; a very painful recovery.
Malibu dummy would likely walk away (and he'd be the one summoning first responders).
And, yeah, I hate to see the '59 destroyed. I wonder how many have been put aside for things like this / might still exist?
The two telling shots are the interiors of both, in slo-mo.
In the Bel Air, the entire steering column is detached and pushed back into the driver. The front bench seat is torn off its mounting, and of course, 1959 cars didn't have mandated seat belts. So the driver flies around as if he were a pinball.
The one thing they don't show is the 'after' shot with the dummies, but it's pretty safe to say... if the Bel Air dummy 'lived', he'd be in very bad shape. Multiple traumas; perhaps an amputation of part of the left foot / lower leg. Pelvic / hip fractures on that same side; a very painful recovery.
Malibu dummy would likely walk away (and he'd be the one summoning first responders).
And, yeah, I hate to see the '59 destroyed. I wonder how many have been put aside for things like this / might still exist?
While interesting there was no point to destroying the 59, we are not going back to building 59 Chevys and we already know new cars are safer,the likelihood of these two ever meeting on the road is nil so??
Maybe they were overstocked with crash test dummies.
Maybe they were overstocked with crash test dummies.
- Jul 22, 2015
- 2,724
IMO, the point of the video was to promote NHTSA / IISB, etc. (choose your own reasoning as to the 'why', behind that)
1959 is probably close to when all the safety stuff got started (too lazy to look it up right now), so the video is sort of a "look how far we've come" type of thing.
And I'll get on my soapbox for a second... I'm glad today's vehicles perform like the Malibu, in crash tests / accidents, and not like the Bel Air. Science & engineering FTW.
1959 is probably close to when all the safety stuff got started (too lazy to look it up right now), so the video is sort of a "look how far we've come" type of thing.
And I'll get on my soapbox for a second... I'm glad today's vehicles perform like the Malibu, in crash tests / accidents, and not like the Bel Air. Science & engineering FTW.
cornchip
Member
- Jan 6, 2013
- 637
1997 Honda Accord Vs. 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer NHTSA Oblique Overlap Crash Test (70 Mph)
A little old vs. new we can all relate too.
A little old vs. new we can all relate too.
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What I learned from this is that Trailblazers really hate Honda Accords....
Mooseman
Moderator
Even with the Accords we can see an improvement in just 6 years but I'd still rather ride in the TB
What I would really like to see is the old trailblazer VS the 2021 model 
cornchip
Member
- Jan 6, 2013
- 637
Even with the Accords we can see an improvement in just 6 years but I'd still rather ride in the TB
The overlap crash standards changed in 1998 for North America. It's was a major improvement. I'd take a guess and say this is why the GMT360's have such a massive front frame.
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There was a lot of controversy about the Malibu crash test. Supposedly there was no engine in the 59, so the cross frame connection, via the engine, was missing. And also the engine missing did not allow for a energy absorption area.
On the other videos.. Why do I like the dash being white?
On the other videos.. Why do I like the dash being white?
| hosscartright Senior Member Posts: 653 
Loc: NW Central Indiana Reg: 12-22-04 User Info Send Private Topic View Profile | 12-22-11 06:00 PM - Post#2171376 In response to Dave Stromberger I represented the car for sale on my web site. It belonged to an acquaintance of mine here in Northwest Indiana. The buyers found it on my site, showed-up with a wad of cash and towed it off into oblivion. I wanted to buy it myself. It was very solid with one superb repaint done right here in Kentland Indiana. I thought having it would have made a nice addition to my 1959 Impala. I could have owned it for $5500.00 but talked myself out of it. It was a six with automatic. When my friend found out what happened to the car, he was sick about it.. Me as well. grrrrrrrr........ 
The hula-girl on the dash is the giveaway.. Here are the photos I took of the car for my web site. 
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Mooseman
Moderator
If it is the same one, where did the rear fender skirts go? And the hula girl?
They could have used one that was in poorer shape but complete.
They could have used one that was in poorer shape but complete.