09 vs 59 Crash Test

**jetaws6** · 03-31-2011, 12:04 PM

**Schmalgar** · 03-31-2011, 12:15 PM

Yikes! You can see the engine/dash of the '59 BelAir being pushed into the cabin and forcing the driver side door open. That means the driver would've been squished pretty good. I believe it when they said he would've died instantly!

**jiveass** · 03-31-2011, 12:18 PM

dude watch this one of the same crash...just about everything on the 59 looks like plastic....watch how the hood acts at 29 seconds in when it impacts.....it jiggles like crazy..somethin aint right here....

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fPF4fBGNK0U&NR=1[/ame]

**Schmalgar** · 03-31-2011, 01:22 PM

Hmm, alot of that I imagine is the crumple zones, the hood is supposed to fold up like that. And it's probably is plastic, or fiberglass, or molded resin, or whatever else they use now other than metal. All the metal is pretty much in the safety cage now...

**SiggyZ** · 03-31-2011, 01:25 PM

He's talking about the '59, not the '09.

Originally Posted by Schmalgar

Hmm, alot of that I imagine is the crumple zones, the hood is supposed to fold up like that. And it's probably is plastic, or fiberglass, or molded resin, or whatever else they use now other than metal. All the metal is pretty much in the safety cage now...

**67CamaroRSSS** · 03-31-2011, 01:25 PM

I'd still rather have the 59...

**Schmalgar** · 03-31-2011, 01:27 PM

Originally Posted by SiggyZ

He's talking about the '59, not the '09.

Whoops, dunno how I missed that...

Ok, forget I said anything...

**Zinergy** · 03-31-2011, 01:32 PM

The hood on the 59 looks normal to me, just because a hood is metal doesnt mean its unflexable quite the contrary. And the way it bends upfront tells me its not plastic. If they took the engine out of the bel air that would have changed the outcome.

**28Marcos** · 03-31-2011, 01:49 PM

did it say anywhere how fast both cars were going?? i think i missed it.

**GTP231** · 03-31-2011, 01:51 PM

Why did they have to destroy such a nice example of a 59?

**IHSS** · 03-31-2011, 05:25 PM

There's an engine in the 59 you can see the air cleaner getting spit out in the passenger side shot of the 59. It looks like a 6cyl. air cleaner flying out.

**snaggeltooth** · 04-02-2011, 02:55 PM

Originally Posted by 28Marcos

did it say anywhere how fast both cars were going?? i think i missed it.

I think it is 45 thats what most of them test at ...

**snaggeltooth** · 04-02-2011, 02:58 PM

Look at the 59's windshield.. it just fly's off ...

**ButtHoleSurfer** · 04-02-2011, 09:15 PM

Ok when I die if they want they can plant me in the ground in one of these, but that will be the only way you will ever catch me in one.

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L4k0FWvGoSM&feature=related[/ame]

**StuntmanMike** · 04-03-2011, 07:51 AM

^^^ There's another vid like that but with the S Class. The S-Class actually flips the smart right over.

I hate those cars, you couldn't pay me to drive one.

Interesting video with the '59. IIRC the 59's and other GM's of that vintage ('58-early 60's) used a X frame, that was supposedly weaker. I wonder how an older, or slightly newer, car with a full perimiter frame would have done.

Either way, safety has come a long way, and I'd expect similar results. That in car footage of the '59 is just scary.

Too bad they wrecked such a nice 59, that would have made a great cruiser.