[RamAirDave]

What I learned back in driver's ed. There are 3 impacts in a car accident. The vehicle hitting the object, your body hitting the vehicle/seat belt, and your guts hitting the inside of your body.

The old cars are so rigid, your body takes sooo much of the force. And that's not to mention the next-to-worthless lap belts (if you're lucky enough to have even those) and all the objects on the (often non-padded) dashboard and the non-collapsible steering column.

There are some accidents that you won't survive no matter what the vehicle, not much argument to that. And everyone knows stories of horrific crashes decades ago that people walked away from.

But I'll take airbags, adequate restraints, and a vehicle that crumples to take the brunt force (rather than my body) every time. Vehicle safety is not an area that has regressed over the years.