Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

[thefunkyinuit]

Does anyone ever worry about the safety of classic cars?
I was just watching 5th Gear and they crashed a 15 year old volvo and a new renault, even though the renault was smaller, it came off a lot better than the volvo, it showed the dummy's head smashing off the steering wheel.....the lack of airbag thing in my bug does bother me abit

[buzzy bee]

Hi

I drive minis alot, and I have a bit of a moto, if I crash it is not only the mini that will probably die, so just be extra careful. I am real used to planning ahead when on the roads, due to riding the Penny Farthing.

I am sure in some ways old cars are safer, as they actually are made of metal not flimsy plastic, and some classics have a nice big metal bumper, connected directly to a ladder chassis, so an impact to the front should be transfered straight through the chassis.

Anyway that is my oppinion, hope it hasn't put you right off your classics! hehe

Cheers

Dave

[Rick]

I think driving a classic does make you a lot more observant, and there are far fewer distractions (no sat nav, cup holders, silly overcomplicated controls or stereos etc), leaving you -the driver- to concentrate on whats happening outside. Ok you can't allow for other drivers, but I know I pay more attention to the outside world in an old crock than in something modern, driving the latter is way too isolated from whats going on IMHO.

In a head to head I know being in a classic isn't always the best place to be, but in terms of reading potential problems before they happen, I think driving an oldie (as opposed to pointing a modern) down the road, keeps you more in touch and able to predict when something untoward might happen. Bit like being a cyclist, knowing that to stay vertical you need to pay real attention to whats going on all around..

R
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[thefunkyinuit]

i know what you mean, i'm definately a much safer and better driver in my beetle than i was in my seiciento, its other people i don't trust! Theres so many idiots on the road, although i have found some people being more courteous to me in my classic.

[1.5ran]

I feel safe in my riley 1.5 with roll cage

[1.5ran]

[Rick]

blimey - are you going road rallying with that?? (subject for a new thread maybe??)

Back to topic, I know if I was in a parking bump I'd rather be in an oldie, with its proper bumpers that protect, rather than form part of, the bodywork.

Rick
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[buzzy bee]

Hi

Modern bumpers are made to protect other people, silly in my view, as they don't protect your own car.

Cheers

Dave

[Uncle Joe]

We did touch on this subject in another topic, but heres my opinion anyway.

I do tend to agree with the general opinion that classics tend to make one both more careful and observant. And therefore, a safer driver. But it is the other driver that you have to be careful about. To this end, if anyone ever gets the chance, go over to the US and do their 'Defensive Driver Program' I did this myself around 30 years ago, well worthwhile, and even gets discount on rental cars.....

If someone worries about safety driving a classic, then MAYBE, just MAYBE, they shouldnt be driving one? I personally have never worried about this point, but on the other hand my classics are usually made in Detroit, and when you can jack up a 2,5ton car with the bumper (recommended jacking point!), crashing into someone is not really an issue anyway......

On this point, just as a 'fact being stranger than fiction,' a contact in the US used a Mopar C-body in demolition derbies for 2 or 3 seasons. He's just finished restoring the car to original, and now uses it on the road. He did promise to document this on the net, should make for interesting reading!

UJ

[Brian M]

I don't think the result was any surprise. The Renault has the benefit of 18 years development in body design technology.

I have seen comments that as new cars are rated on their performance in the 40mph offset head-on crash, manufacturers design the structure specificaly to perform well in exactly that scenario, and that their performance in a direct head-on may not be so good.

Still most of us were surpised how badly the Volvo performed.

Renault sponsor the programme so the cynic in me has to wonder if the crash would have been shown at all if the Renault had come off worse.

[rdover]

Buzzy
I see that the whole concept of crumple zones and absorption of impact energy has passed you by

I had a modern Rover 25 pull out in front of my Volvo leaving me 18" (yes inches!) of braking distance. I ended up on top of his back seat which luckily was unoccupied. I get given as much space as I need and everyone keeps their distance - well it is a 4.5 tonne 6 wheel drive army truck with armoured bumpers and a 15,000 lbs winch mounted on the front! Might is Right.

I'm already planning my braking for when the Alldays gets on the road next month!

[Brian M]

Richard

Shame they didn't use your Volvo in the programme!

They would have been digging bits of the Renault out of the tarmac!

[rdover]

I have offered to take them in several of my cars but they have declined - I wonder why

[rdover]

Here's a bit of video taken at the same time as the photo.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uZyf13K55Dw

[Job-Rated]

At the designing stage of the interior for my Dodge, I decided early on that I wasn't going to fit seat belts. It was purely a cosmetic thing, but it serves the added purpose of subconsciously keeping me on my toes when I'm behind the wheel.
Which brings me on to the column - non-collapsable, straight 28", so if there's a collision, I might not stand a chance.

Too late now.