Crash Test 59 Chevy vs New Malibu

[Kim_Howie]

O.K. You just stated "flimsy sheet metal fender" Maybe you need to check the 09 vs the 59 fenders thickness. The 59 crumpled way too easy, in my opinon. There is more metal in the inter fender well of the 59 compared to both fenders in 09.

[Verne_Frantz]

I've watched the video several times and I am amazed that the Malibu was able to penetrate the cowl of the '59, pulling down the A pillar, ejecting the door and buckling up the floor as it did. I'm not saying the test was rigged, but that huge cloud of rust dust does tell me something. The structural integrity of the '59s frame, lower cowl, rockers and floor were compromised before the impact. The Biscayne also appears to be a 6cyl, in which case the impact would have missed the motor completely. I think the results would have been quite different if the '59 had been a V8 car with a solid body & frame.

Verne

[The Dude]

Pic from back in the day, when these cars were NOT rusted. A 59 hitting another 59. So much for the compromised integrity argument.

[Kim_Howie]

The speed limit was 70mph back then, I doubt if both cars were doing 40mph as in the test.JMO

[king_midas]

It's interesting that some are unable to grasp that the '59 is structurally unsafe by construction.

[COPO CARTEL]

WOW....Stop all the B/S and move on guys..life is getting shorter as you type away. Agree to disagree.

[Kim_Howie]

It's interesting YOU must be a expert, Grasped that!! I,m done.

[442w30]

You're not done - this is your opportunity to show right-thinking North Americans what you know.

Now I don't profess to know about the structural integrity of cars, but as someone who is in the middle of the Bell Curve when it comes to intelligence, I can be objective (without a video, no less) and figure out that old cars aren't as safe as new ones. Your subjective outrage could be better used to ask why in the hell did they destroy a classic to prove a point we already know.

[The Dude]

[ QUOTE ]
O.K. You just stated "flimsy sheet metal fender" Maybe you need to check the 09 vs the 59 fenders thickness. The 59 crumpled way too easy, in my opinon. There is more metal in the inter fender well of the 59 compared to both fenders in 09.

[/ QUOTE ]

The fender on the Malibu is for looks, it serves no other purpose. Behind that fender is where the strenght is. You remove the fender and the car performs the same in the crash test. On the other hand, the fender on the Impala is all youve got. Remove it and the Malibu smashes into the Impalas cabin.