1959 Chevy Bel-Air versus 2009 Chevy Malibu

[T-Mo-(Moderator) 4,602]

Head to head crash - look how far safety has come in 50 years.

[CasualObserver 3,411]

The video on this website has the interior views. http://www.iihs.org/50th/default.html :D

[VinsRJ 723]

The 2009 may be safer but nearly as cool look'n. I'll take my chances :D

[bmuone 15]

That is a very interesting video. I saw a lot of that stuff in my career, unfortunately always had drivers and/or passengers. We have come a long way which makes me wonder what percentage of the improvements have been made due to nascar racing? I'd say a lot! I also wonder what would be the results if you ran a WH into....say a Cub?

[wh500special 2,263]

"They just don't build 'em like they used to."

Thank God!

Steve

[linen beige 15]

The scariest thing about this is that when the govt. crash tests vehicles to assign "safety ratings" they don't do this particular test. A left head light into left headlight of an on coming vehicle is the single most common of all two vehicle crashes. You would probably be dumbstruck to find out how many vehicles rated by the government's tests to be "five star" are actually death traps in the real world.

If, while in the market for a new vehicle, you are considering how safe that vehicle may be in a crash you will get a MUCH more real world accurate assessment if you use the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's test results.

As a side note, I find it interesting that they chose a '59 Bel-Air for this. Chevrolet offered, in limited numbers, optional airbags on the Impala in '58.