Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

[Ellis]

Yesterday afternoon I saw seven classic Morgan Three Wheelers driving through the village in convoy. An impressive sight,, yes but the thought occurred to me that not one of them had much protection in the case of an accident.
None of the drivers were wearing crash helmets and their indifference to any thoughts of safety, if I can call it that, in their tiny cars was shown by the smiles of pleasure they wore by driving them.


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This Morris 1100 has clearly come off worst in this confrontation with a lamp post. The drivers of 1960s Minis were almost invariably trapped by their feet in head on collisions and when you consider the amount of exposed metalwork on the dashboards of 1950s and 1960s cars it is a reminder that cars of the past were not the safest place to be then, let alone now.
I try not to think about it in my 2a Land Rover where there is an abundance of sharp edges and no seat belts.

How conscious are you of the vulnerability of your classic and your own safety driving now on roads where the majority of modern vehicles are capable of 100mph+?
You have all heard of Crumple Zones in modern cars.
It's not a new concept, apparently.

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Starting Handle Expert

1964 Jaguar Mark 2 3.4 litre
1962 Land Rover Series 2a 88"
2002 BMW M3 E46 Cabriolet

[kevin2306]

I don't feel vulnerable when out and about but I do avoid motorways if going a distance.

Kev

[colwyn500]

I would be OK in my Fiat 500 because the front-mounted petrol-tank above my knees would take most of the force if front-ended.

I am seriously aware of the dangers but the relatively minor roads in the Scottish Highlands mean that for most of the time other drivers in faster cars can barely make more head-way than me.

The most plausible fear I have is for the consequences of an accident caused when other drivers desperately overtake in ludicrous circumstances. But I try to co-operate by keeping as far to the left as possible when overtaking opportunities arise.

[goneps]

Some years ago someone in Morris Register circles started an agitated discussion concerning the consequences of an unsecured battery in a roll-over (original batteries had lugs through which long rods passed and were secured to the bottom of the toolbox).

The exchanges more or less fizzled out when I pointed out that if you managed to roll an Eight the battery would be the least of your troubles.

Richard

[peter scott]

About 20 years ago a friend of mine driving his MkII Jaguar had a head-on collision with VW Golf that came round a corner on the wrong side of the road. My friend was very seriously injured and almost died. The driver of the golf had virtually no injury.

It's certainly worth bearing in mind that in big old solid cars the crumple zone is passenger compartment.

Peter
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http://www.nostalgiatech.co.uk
1939 SS Jaguar 2 1/2 litre saloon

[baconsdozen]

I feel vulnerable in my Rover P5b.Not because of doubts about the cars strength or condition but because for some reason drivers of small modern cars seem to see it as a point of honour that they must overtake it and if they can cut in sharply when in front regard that as a bonus.
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Thirty years selling imperial hand tools for old machinery(Now happily retired).

[Riley Blue]

May I ask how many of you have seat belts fitted? I ask because I know a number of classic owners whose cars don't have them even though they have mounting points but were made before seat belts became mandatory.
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David

1963 Riley 1.5
1965 Riley 1.5

[kevin2306]

[peter scott]

Made in 1939 my car has no belts or provision for them but this might be a good thing if I have the presence of mind to launch myself out of line of the steering column prior to impact.

Peter
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http://www.nostalgiatech.co.uk
1939 SS Jaguar 2 1/2 litre saloon

[old iron]

When my number is drawn from the hat I would rather be driving my vintage car than be lying in a care home bed.

[Rootes75]

I feel vulnerable mainly through other idiot drivers! Many do not appreciate they need to give you a little more time and space.
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Various Rootes Vehicles.

[Ashley]

[Phil - Nottingham]

Some cars will come off far worse if they hit a P5! One flimsy 2000 Euro/Eastern box tried to occupy the same space as our Coupe on a busy roundabout in rush hour Derby some years ago. Slight scratch in the drivers door which polished out - her car was undrivable with its squashed front bumper and nearside wing and its airbag did not even activate. No one gets close to our Series Land Rovers either.

It is very clear that some classic car drivers feel vulnerable as they clearly do not drive it enough
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Rover P2
Rover P4
Rover P5 & P5B
Land Rover S2 & S3
Morris Mini Traveller Mk2

[norustplease]

A lot of motorists assume that because you are in an old car that you will be dawdling along, which of course, is not always the case. This seems to manifest itself not only in a pressing urge to overtake, but also to pull out in front when you are approaching. Whether this is because they assume that you will only be doing 25 miles per hour!, I am unsure, but it happens very frequently, and a protest on the horn sometimes results in a rude gesture rather than a wave of apology.
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1953 Citroen Traction
1964 Volvo PV544
1957 Austin A55 Mk 1
Boring Tucson SUV

[Rick]