years...did the 59 even have seatbelts?.... it's kind of like compairing a stick to a titanium rod....

 

I think they probably did that "test" for shock value.

Justin makes a very good point. You can't fairly compare cars from 50 years ago to now.

 

I think they are probably just trying to make a point that new cars are safer that older ones, and just because newer cars are made of much more plastic, etc, does not mean they are not safe. In reality those old metal tanks were much less safe than the newer ones...

I would have to agree, it is a shame they ruined that 59 Bel Air

 

A. How do you compare 50 year old technology to current?
This is the same as......... Your ancestors had slaves, YOU need to pay for their sins.

Any doofus can figure out a 2009 Malibu will protect the occupants better then a 50 year old car will.

The '09 car has crumple zones the '59 car doesn't have thanks in part to Nascar.

Next let's talk a collapsing steering column. So the driver won't be impaled in the vent of a front end crash.

Shock absorbers in the front bumper to absorb part of the front end collision. Sure a 50lb all steel bumper is going to provide protection a plastic bumper won't. If the '59 bumper had the same absorbers mounted to it the '09 bumper has I'll bet the '59 bumper will proect you better then they want you to be aware of.

The '59 Chevy is also mounted to a fairly new for it's time designed frame. Like the '58 the frame is prone to twist because it's made in an X design. Mount the '59 body even to a 1988 Monte frame and I'll bet side impact protection just improved 100%.

 

I'm not personally compairing the two........I am making fun of the "doofus's" that think just because older cars were built using more steel, and were much larger than newer cars, that the older ones are safer....Obviously this is not the case because we have 50 years of technology working in our favor now, but some people just don't understand all the features new cars have to help in the event of a crash.

 

OOPS

I'll write 2 times Bel Air

Bel Air
Bel Air

 

either way..id rather own the 59 chevy lol

 

Wow, that was impressive. It's a shame the Belair had to be put to death in such a way, but I was very pleased to see Chevrolet's advancements in auto crash safety, this leaves no room for those "old steel cars are safer" enthusiasts to hide anymore.

 

I don't have the stomach to watch the video. I'd cry like a little girl! I agree, was the point to show that a 50 year old car is technologically advanced as a new car that is even smaller??? I'm guessing the Malibu puts out close to twice the HP as the Bel Air, also!

 

So I'm noticing that no one is saying what a shame it was to see the 09 Malibu wrecked.

Not that I am. I'd much rather have the 59.

Just noticing. :-)