1959 Bel Air vs. 2009 Malibu crash test
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Joined: Mar 2006
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From: Lacey, WA
Vehicle: Two Accents, Mini, Miata, Van, Outback, and a ZX-6
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I think it's fair to say that I would rather be in the Malibu any day vs. that old Bel Air.
I think it's fair to say that I would rather be in the Malibu any day vs. that old Bel Air.
There's a controversy about this video. Many say that the Bel Air had no engine, cause you don't see it dropping when the front gets hit, nor do you see the driveshaft crumpling. The exhaust crumples later than you'd expect also. They also have pictures of similar old cars crashes with a lot more decent results.
I don't really know what to believe, if it's for real I wish they would have taken some video of the cars before the crash (including engine bays), and shown more angles of the crash.
I don't really know what to believe, if it's for real I wish they would have taken some video of the cars before the crash (including engine bays), and shown more angles of the crash.
i also find that hard to belive. 1959, made of steel? Have we designed cars good enough that they can withstand that type of impact form a boat?
the dummy in the bel air smacks his head off the steering wheel pretty damn hard if you ask me...
the dummy in the bel air smacks his head off the steering wheel pretty damn hard if you ask me...
Thread Starter
Administrator

Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 12,515
Likes: 2
From: Lacey, WA
Vehicle: Two Accents, Mini, Miata, Van, Outback, and a ZX-6
Yeah, I suppose it's hard to tell. It might help that they crashed a Malibu into it. The Malibu is no lightweight on it's own.
I tried to find it and failed, there is an explanation video for that video. It isn't faked. The Bel Air used an X brace frame. The design gave the malibu the leverage it needed to destroy the older car. Had the older car used a more traditional frame or uni body setup the damage would not have been as bad and the newer car would have had to deal with alot more force. IMO I want the car to freakin smash right up to the cab.. why? In a wreck the cars job is to save me and absorb as much energy as it can... I dont care how it looks afterwards.





