Crash test, 1959 vs 2009

[gsxr]

Don't think I've ever seen this before. The '59 did WAY worse than I would have imagined. Apparently they were not tanks after all.

 

[sheward]

I wouldn't have suspected this either. Some small part of this may be the huge expanse of nothingness that exists under the hood of the Bel Air leaving only the frame to offer resistance down low.

 

[steve h]

Don't think I've ever seen this before. The '59 did WAY worse than I would have imagined. Apparently they were not tanks after all.

Yes, I would not have thought that the 59 did that badly....incredible

 

[szvook]

I got your tank right here…

 

[gerryvz]

That's a very old video - I think I first saw it 5-7 years ago. But yeah, back in 1959 even MB was just starting out with safety crumple zones in the Pontons and such. There's no way that Chevy was even THINKING about anything safety-related back then.

 

[TerryA]

I guess I’m lucky to be alive. I drove my father inlaw’s 1959 Impala to Las Vegas to get married back in 1964. This video makes me glad I didn’t crash it.

 

[Bogeyman]

Safety has nothing to do with "longer - lower - wider"....

It was all about the look....

 

[alabbasi]

i saw this video when it was new. From what I understand, the engine was removed from the 59. In fairness, the engine would have taken some of the hit but anything pre 1990 that's not a Mercedes Benz will fold like an accordion.

No driver aids, air bags or crumple zones. We who drive old cars are prepared to die like men