There’s certainly something to be said for the safety features of modern cars. Sure, they’ve caused said modern cars to balloon up in the weight department, but they also keep people from being maimed or killed in wrecks that would totally have been fatal a couple of decades ago. Proof of just how far we have come can be seen in the video below, which is three minutes of crash ’em up destruction from destructive testing done in the 1960s. You’ll see Chryslers, Fords, and Chevrolets getting bashed and smashed to pieces. The things that take the biggest beating in these videos are the crash test dummies that simulate what would happen to human passengers. Let’s just say we’re glad that they aren’t human passengers.
Stuff to look for includes just how awesome low back bucket seats seem to be at snapping people’s necks, how many of the dummies get ejected out doors, windows, roofs, and into other nooks and crannies of the cars. Every now and again, you’ll hear someone say (with regard to safety), “I want as much steel around me as possible at all times.” While that logic makes some sense on its face, watching these old steel cars crumple up like origami proves that it is not the way to go. Plus, modern cars are so heavy and dense, they’d really tattoo one of these classics now.
PRESS PLAY BELOW TO SEE A TON OF KILLER 1960S CRASH TEST VIDEOS! SLOW MOTION CRUNCHING GREATNESS!
Why do crash test that are labelled as “GM crash test” not have a single GM vehicle in them?
That being said, cars are built much better and safer now than in the good old days.
64 imperial vs. an x frame impala- c,mon i wanna see that one!!
Not quite what you asked for, but half right.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1_ptUrQOMPs
These are not GM tests. These were done in the 60’s at UCLA.
You can see the UCLA letters on some of the cars. These videos have been online for several years, and every time some site “discovers” them and reposts, the GM Crash Tests thing throws people off.
the 64 plymouths held up o.k. big improvement over the 59’s… looks like they unbolted the seat rails for shock and awe! the impala test was probably done to enforce a scrap your junker program. im thinking a 5 point harness upgrade after watching this!
My first car was a 1960 Plymouth Suburban, two door station wagon. The Plymouths that start the video and are prominent throughout look like 60’s to me.
That car was definitely a deathtrap. Steel dash, no seat belts (we put lap belts in immediately). I’m sure glad I never crashed it.
Woah this blog is excellent i like reading your articles. Stay up the great work! You know, many individuals are hunting around for this info, you could aid them greatly.