Vintage Cars: Retrofitting crumble zones, point safety harness, chevrolet bel air

Question
QUESTION: Hello again Ace.

I have another question regarding safety. I just saw a video about IIHS celebrating its 50th Anniversary by conducting a crash test between a  2009 Chevrolet Malibu vs a 1953 Chevrolet Bel Air.

See link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=joMK1WZjP7g

After watching this video, it left me feeling very disturbed. It appears that cars with crumble zones are indeed safer than the classic cars.

1. Curious, could the 62 Caddy can be retrofitted with crumble zones?

2. Or would it have to be built from scratch, that is, building a replica utilizing a combination of raw materials that are just as strong as the classic cars but with modern safety equipment such as air bags, ABS, and crumble zones?

Julian

ANSWER: NO--NO--NO
Of course, with enough time and resources you could do it--but, whats the point.

The myth is that one could build a backyard special better and cheaper. This cannot
happen because of resources. Any successful
automobile endeavor has many engineers (and lawyers). And it is not so hard to
figure out why that is so. (There is only one way to find out if your crumple
zone works--there goes one car or ten).

Besides, if you are honestly worried about being safe in any automobile--take
a performance driving course... And install a 3 point safety harness as a
minimum.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Are you saying that even if it is custom built to my specifications, I need to have lawyers involved?

What is your opinion on crumble zones?


Julian

Answer
You are taking the lawyer bit out of context--if you sell to others
in the usa lawyers need to be involved.

An opinion is a statement not based on fact. You are making a mountain
out of a mole hill. Crash dummies do much worse in a 1962 vehicle
because seatbelts were not required then--that is why I said to
install a 3 point harness-that will improve your survivability by
up to 60% compared to no seatbelt.

It is obvious that modern vehicles with engineered safety features
are much safer--unfortunately we have done nothing to address the
weakest link in auto safety, the driver.