1959 Chevrolet Bel Air Vs. 2009 Chevrolet Malibu

[FattyBoomBatty]

I think it probably has to do with how narrow the frame is in the front of the Bel Air. If you think about it most of what the Malibou hit was just inner and outer fender sheet metal and the front suspension.

The wonders of unibody construction.

Doesn't matter. The video isn't about 60's cars, it's about a car that was new when the standards were first instituted.


Did you see the 50 years worth of dust and shit that flew off the bel air upon impact? Also, I bet the bel air internet forums are up in arms about this.

[ctruss53]

Doesn't matter. The video isn't about 60's cars, it's about a car that was new when the standards were first instituted.


Did you see the 50 years worth of dust and shit that flew off the bel air upon impact? Also, I bet the bel air internet forums are up in arms about this.

All I am doing is pointing out why the huge old car crumpled like it did. I never meant to justify it's behavior in the crash.

thx

[goodhart]

What a waste of a classic...

[Kracka]

What a waste of a classic...
Not at all. It went to a very good cause and shows us just how far we've come in 50 years. What was once a deadly accident is now something you can most likely walk or at least limp away from.

[craig]

I would like to just say my 70 charger destroyed a subaru wagon all i had to do was loosen the fender bolts to straighten everything back out.

[Kevin 1G Drummer]

I think it probably has to do with how narrow the frame is in the front of the Bel Air. If you think about it most of what the Malibou hit was just inner and outer fender sheet metal and the front suspension.

The wonders of unibody construction.
There was actually quite a bit of frame damage to the Bel Air. The front bumper is practically into the firewall on the driver's side, and the left front corner is about where the middle of the engine bay was, You can't tell me the frame didn't take the majority of the stress there. Hell, the passenger side windshield post was buckled at almost a 45 degree angle. That kind of damage wouldn't happen if all the Malibu hit was sheet metal and suspension.

[1QUICK4]

Seat belts weren't manditory until the mid 60's. Old cars were certain death.


The term they don't make them like they used to is reffering to the the fact that they were made out of metal. (no plastic inside or outside)
Plus you could actually repair a minor collision instead of scrapping the car because of the crumple zones.

And they had style, people actually wanted to by them :lol:








I'd like to see that test again with a direct front hit instead of offset

[FattyBoomBatty]

Yeah, one thing I noticed was the difference in the hoods of each car. Bel Air: almost perfect. Malibu: not so much.

[Pushit2.0]

Just because it is big and heavy does not make it strong. I would guess they have the offset head on crash test for crossing over crashes or 2 lane high way crashes.

~John

[FattyBoomBatty]

Just because it is big and heavy does not make it strong. I would guess they have the offset head on crash test for crossing over crashes or 2 lane high way crashes.

~John

It may not be strong, but the big and heavy part does play a significant role. In certain types of crashes, the bel air would decimate the 'bu.