1959 Chevy Bel Air VS 2009 Chevy Malibu

[Monster Dave]

anyone else notice the IZ_ dice in the '59? At least the driveer would have been cool when he died.

That's funny, I hadn't noticed that! LOL!

[Oldfisti]

More footage with interior shots...


1959 Chevrolet Bel Air Vs. 2009 Chevrolet Malibu IIHS Offset (New Footage - Interior Views)

[Howie]

The important question is did the IZ_ dice survive   I am not surprised by that video one bit.

[Oldfisti]

You know what, I think they did!

[NAKID]

It says at the end of the video that the Malibu driver would have had a slight knee injury, but the driver of the Bel Air would have died instantly.
In the first 30 seconds or so, it confirms Randy's thought that is was a combined 80mph offset crash, both vehicles traveling at 40mph...

[Ddan]

Me thinks this may be more of a set-up than it appears. The GM X-frame cars were apparently well known to fare badly in a crash, and you can pretty clearly see the cloud of rust dust at impact.  I wonder what kind of shape the Bel Air was in prior to the test. 

[mitt]

Me thinks this may be more of a set-up than it appears. The GM X-frame cars were apparently well known to fare badly in a crash, and you can pretty clearly see the cloud of rust dust at impact.  I wonder what kind of shape the Bel Air was in prior to the test. 

So, should they build a brand new 1959 for the test?  Accelerate age a 2009 to 59 condition in a salt chamber? Or argue that today's cars are less safe? 

It was probably intended as a cool video, not a proof of a theorem. 

mitt

[Langanobob]

Cars may be safer, but what about the other part of the equation, us drivers?  Somehow I don't think so.

[NAKID]

Cars may be safer, but what about the other part of the equation, us drivers?  Somehow I don't think so.

I think you're right. In 1959, people in general had a higher respect for cars. And, not everyone had them...

[ducatiz]

Moreover, why isn't anyone outraged that a classic car has been trashed?

Seriously?  did we REALLY need this done to prove anything?  How many '59 models are still on the road at ALL?

Seems to me they could have used a 1970s car to "prove" cars are better, rather than trashing a genuine antique.

[ducatiz]

all this video proves to me is that we've done a great deal to prevent idiots from killing themselves (and yes, others) with cars.

Darwin hangs his head...

[acalles]

Me thinks this may be more of a set-up than it appears. The GM X-frame cars were apparently well known to fare badly in a crash, and you can pretty clearly see the cloud of rust dust at impact.  I wonder what kind of shape the Bel Air was in prior to the test. 

I think its probably not.

the point of the test is, to comparable cars, being sold to the same type of people (small family sedan) for roughly the same price (based on inflation) and at about the same weight.

It KILLS the old saying "they don't make them like they used to"

the test was used to demonstrate how much technology has made our lives better. I doubt some rust really made that big a difference, it was structurally insufficient from the start. Back in those days, no one ever thought about safety.

Cab on frame vehicles just aren't that safe to began with. Last year I was in a accident where a truck ran a light, we were in a small sturdy car (audi A4), they were in a truck (dual cab ranger) we were out and walking around, they were flipped over unconscious.  (granted my back still kills me, especially in the mornings)

Cars may be safer, but what about the other part of the equation, us drivers?  Somehow I don't think so.

people don't change.. might as well put them in a better box. remember, and alive customer is better then a dead one!

[Monster Dave]

More footage with interior shots...


1959 Chevrolet Bel Air Vs. 2009 Chevrolet Malibu IIHS Offset (New Footage - Interior Views)

Wow, those inside shots are awesome!!!

[derby]

Moreover, why isn't anyone outraged that a classic car has been trashed?

Seriously?  did we REALLY need this done to prove anything?  How many '59 models are still on the road at ALL?

Seems to me they could have used a 1970s car to "prove" cars are better, rather than trashing a genuine antique.

except it wouldn't have been a 50 year old difference in the cars' ages for the 50th anniversary.

[Langanobob]

Moreover, why isn't anyone outraged that a classic car has been trashed?

As I recall it was a four-door.  No collectors value    At least that's what I recall from the good ol' days - everybody wanted a two-door.