Topic: Crashing 2009 Malibu into 1959 Bel Air

[grumburg]

To celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the IIHS, they crashed a 1959 Chevy Bel Air into a 2009 Malibu to show the improvements made in crashability of new cars. Although I usually think the IIHS (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety) is a shameless lobby supported by the insurance industry, the video is dramatic. Link will not attach. Search YouTube " 2009 Malibu vs 1959 Bel Air".

[sangyo soichiro]

Is this the one?

[grumburg]

That's it

[edbikerii]

Wow, that IS dramatic.  Never would have believed that.

[BobbyR]

I had a 59 Bel Air, it was a tank, I am surprised

[bender01]

Was the engine in the 59?

[Pinhead]

Was the engine in the 59?

That's what I was wondering, too. It seems a bit rigged... My sister ran a '56 Chevy into a ditch at 55mph (stopped it in its' tracks, didn't "bounce" over the top) and the damage wasn't nearly as bad as this video.

[grumburg]

The bubble at the beginning stated the '59 was complete with engine and nothing had been compromised.

[Tretnine]

You have to keep in mind that this isn't a ditch jump or a low speed love tap, both of the cars are moving, probably at a good clip. 55MPH plus 55mph is 110. Only half the front end (driver's side) meets half the other front end. LOTS of force in that small area, but based on the video I'd rather be in the malibu, but I know which one I'd want in my driveway.

Cool things to notice are the differences in the way the glass reacts and how far the force travels back on the cars. The door isn't really phased on the new car, but the 59s whole cabin compartment looks like it collapses. Makes me thankful for crumple zones and all the safety things that probably a large part why there is no style left in automobiles.

[tramp]

no doubt cars are safer to drive today than 50 yrs ago
but they did have more style

[Pinhead]

Watch this video describing why everything happened the way it happened. Basically if they would've used a car either 5 years newer or 5 years older the Malibu wouldn't have done nearly as well. The "X Frame" of the '59 was mostly the culprit...

[Inigo Montoya]

Still proves though that not all old cars are tough.

[grumburg]

Watch this video describing why everything happened the way it happened. Basically if they would've used a car either 5 years newer or 5 years older the Malibu wouldn't have done nearly as well. The "X Frame" of the '59 was mostly the culprit...

'58 through '64 x-frames were not one of GM's better ideas. A family friend was broadsided in a '64 Impala 4 dr hardtop in 1966 on the passenger side and it drove clear to the center tunnel. She recovered but my dad decided to trade his '62 Impala for a '66 with a box frame. x frames offered no side protection.

[tortelvis]

We hit a 300 pound hog one night in a '56 Chevy four door running about 50. Pork all over the road and the turn signal was busted on the Chevy.

[BeSeeingYou]

I have a 1963 Ford Galaxie and when I look at it's metal dashboard and it's large metal non-impact absorbing steering wheel I realize it is little more than a death trap compared to a modern car.  Despite the fact that people think they are built like tanks thank goodness they don't "build them like they used to".

[ProTeal55]

Atleast they crashed a 4 door