1959 impala vs 2009 impala crash test video

[westcliffe01]

The partial frontal always yields more damage and due to driver flinch is also more common.

Why not crash them dead center?

 

[Wayne County Hose]

The partial frontal always yields more damage and due to driver flinch is also more common.

Crashing them dead center would be a more accurate comparison of damage. They crashed the 09's frame rail into the 59's fender. They should have at least crashed them frame rail to frame rail.

This was not a crash test. They went into it with an agenda and the results came out the way they wanted. If these new cars are so tough, then why do the old cars cream them in demolition derbys? Can anyone guess what is so unique about the 1963 (or so) Chrysler Imperial?

 

[Ductape]

Can anyone guess what is so unique about the 1963 (or so) Chrysler Imperial?

The huge amount of rear overhang plus the unitized construction make them the most sought after demolition derby car in the US.

 

[Dargo]

I would like to see the 09 impala go against a 74 chevy impala with the 200 lb factory front bumper. I think the 09 would have fit in the trunk of the 74 after the crash test.

I was a crash test dummy in a 1996 Pontiac Bonneville that was hit head on by a young lady driving a 1972 Impala. It ripped the seatbelt anchors out of the door of the Bonneville door and put my head through the windshield top post.

 

[Ryan03]

I was a crash test dummy in a 1996 Pontiac Bonneville that was hit head on by a young lady driving a 1972 Impala. It ripped the seatbelt anchors out of the door of the Bonneville door and put my head through the windshield top post.

Glad to hear you are still around to talk about it Dargster. The 72's are big, but the 73 to 76 GM fullsizes are some of the toughest cars out there, especialy the leaf spring wagons with the power tailgate. The 74 chevy impala is a favorite with the demo derby crowd due to the nearly indestructable front bumper, followed by the 73 to 76 buicks for the tough front clips.

One thing that makes me a little skepticle about the test is after I watched the vid again, a huge amount of sand can be seen coming out of the passenger front of the rocker panel on the 59 Impala. I am wondering if this was a swiss cheese wacked and packed rust bucket.

 

[aczlan]

Crashing them dead center would be a more accurate comparison of damage. They crashed the 09's frame rail into the 59's fender. They should have at least crashed them frame rail to frame rail.

As I understand (from pictures I have seen online) the 69 had the framerail in line with the steering wheel. That is about where the '09 hit. From what I saw the '09 hit about 50/50 while the '59 hit 40/60. That would tend to bias the test in favor of the '09 which has a transverse mounted engine. In face, a car with a transverse mounted engine will tend to do much better in a offset crash than a car with a longituidally mounted engine (being as the transverse engine will act to spread the force of the impact across the front of the car).

I would be interested in seeing a '09 Crown Vic in that test against a '59 Ford Galaxie. That would probably be a more fair test being as both would be RWD body on frame cars.

Aaron Z

 

[carpenter383]

Crashing them dead center would be a more accurate comparison of damage. They crashed the 09's frame rail into the 59's fender. They should have at least crashed them frame rail to frame rail.

This was not a crash test. They went into it with an agenda and the results came out the way they wanted. If these new cars are so tough, then why do the old cars cream them in demolition derbys? Can anyone guess what is so unique about the 1963 (or so) Chrysler Imperial?

I was gonna post a similar response
I don't know exacly why imerials are so indestructable, but around here they are either outlawed in the local demo derbys or people won't run against them!

 

[Dargo]

Glad to hear you are still around to talk about it Dargster. The 72's are big, but the 73 to 76 GM fullsizes are some of the toughest cars out there, especialy the leaf spring wagons with the power tailgate. The 74 chevy impala is a favorite with the demo derby crowd due to the nearly indestructable front bumper, followed by the 73 to 76 buicks for the tough front clips.

Well, I'm glad she wasn't driving anything bigger and stronger. I was on my way to compete in a tough man contest. My attorney was sitting behind me (went to the hospital....go figure) and my so called 'corner man' was in the passenger seat and had to leave to get a couple of stitches before joining me later. My car was taken away on a rollback and the young girl, distracted by her child in the back seat, (child completely uninjured) drove her car away.

Oh, as a funny side note, the girl who hit me only had the state minimum insurance and it barely covered my car. My auto insurance paid for his medical bills as well as Larry's, the guy in the passenger side front seat.

 

[MossRoad]

I was a crash test dummy in a 1996 Pontiac Bonneville that was hit head on by a young lady driving a 1972 Impala. It ripped the seatbelt anchors out of the door of the Bonneville door and put my head through the windshield top post.

Well, that explains some things.... Just kidding! Actually it sounds horrific. How did the two cars compare in your opinion?

 

[m1greg]

Crashing them dead center would be a more accurate comparison of damage. They crashed the 09's frame rail into the 59's fender. They should have at least crashed them frame rail to frame rail.

If you view the overhead view at ~ 1:38 into the clip, each cars fender is approximately at the others centerline. No glancing blows!
I read where the big 3 ( That was a long time ago!) complained about this test because it inflicted huge amounts of damage making their product look bad. However the Insurance Institute stood behind this test because this scenario occured often as last minute avoidance / preservation manouvers make a square on head on hit like the goverment ratings tests rare.
This video is just intended to highlight the improvements made in the auto safety field. Notice the steering wheel drive back and whack the dummy of the 59 chevy for instance. Collapsible shafts are now mandatory.
No Conspiracys here.