If you believe that older cars are safer because they "just don't make them like they used to" you might want to watch this video.
What do you suppose happens when you crash a modern Chevy into a 50-year-old Chevy?
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety turned 50 and to celebrate they took a 1959 Chevrolet Bel Air, and crashed it into a new Chevrolet Malibu at a combined speed of 80 miles per hour.
The results dramatically demonstrate how much safer new cars are today.
According to the LA Times the dummy driver of the Bel Air was in a world of hurt because, "the dummy's head
struck the steering wheel rim and hub and then the roof and unpadded metal
instrument panel to the left of the steering wheel…. The windshield was
completely dislodged from the car and the driver door opened during the crash,
both presenting a risk of ejection. In addition, the front bench seat was torn
away from the floor on the driver side,” the IIHS report states.
As for the Malibu? “A high
acceleration was recorded on the left foot, indicating that foot injuries would
be possible.”
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Watch the crash below and you'll see how poorly the 50-year-old car does in the head on crash:
