Sad ...

artplumber · 07:22 AM

Not safe to even drive a classic around on the weekend. news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20050802/ap_on_re_us/classic_car_safety;_ylt=AkTMEfHzgTFaDgCO8Ie.e45G2o cA;_ylu=X3oDMTBiMW04NW9mBHNlYwMlJVRPUCUl

May the family members who died RIP.

On a side note, the Volvo driver hopefully will be taken to the cleaners to provide for the two remaining children.

Edit: Don't know why this link won't work. It's about a family of five in a just restored Duesenberg struck by a Volvo (running a stop sign) and resulting in the demise of Mom, Dad, and one of the children.

mikester · 08-03-2005, 07:27 AM

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20050802/ap_on_re_us/classic_car_safety;_ylt=AkTMEfHzgTFaDgCO8Ie.e45G2o cA;_ylu=X3oDMTBiMW04NW9mBHNlYwMlJVRPUCUl

Tishabet · 08-03-2005, 07:30 AM

That is sad.
On a related note touched on by the article (and I know I'm probably preaching to the choir here) there are too many newbie classic car owners who are unfamiliar with the difference between the handling etc of their classic versus a modern car. Case in point: WAY too many 1920s and 30s car owners are unfamiliar with the concept of brake fade.
In this case it sounds like the volvo driver was clearly at fault, but I've seen my share of incidents involving the behemoths of yesteryear trying to corner and brake with their tons of weight and drum brakes. Not pretty!

craigster59 · craigster59's Garage

I used to have a 58 Ford P/U as a daily driver. I can't recall how many times I'd be coming down the Sepulveda pass, leaving a nice distance between me and the guy in front of me only to be "snaked" by some a$$wipe just asking to be rear ended. Had to park it and start driving something more practical. I miss that truck.

pwd72s · 08-03-2005, 09:22 AM

They don't have to be that old to have poor brakes in stock trim...try a '65 Pontiac GTO...all that power under the hood, yet the brakes were designed for a 4 cylinder Tempest...tiny little drum brakes. One tap of the pedal at 130, and you had virtually no brakes.

tabs · 08-03-2005, 10:05 AM

Ever try and stop a 428 SCJ Mach1 Mustang on the freeway....well once was enough to convince me to install 4 wheel disc brakes on the thing...

Jeff Higgins · 08-03-2005, 10:23 AM

My current daily driver is a '70 Bug. I'm very aware of its limitations in braking, handling, and acceleration. It has been getting increasingly difficult to get around in modern traffic that is geared towards cars that exceed it in all of these areas. While I really don't want to break down and get something newer for my own use (my wife gets the newer "practical" cars) I wonder how much longer I can hold out. It's sure easier when I'm in the 911.

In this case, though, it sounds like the age of the car only contributed because of the lack of seatbelts. It must be better to get broadsided in a three ton Duesenberg than my 1900lb Bug. I have shoulder belts, but I still bet I'd get hurt. Is it that unnacceptable to go back and at least put belts in these old cars? Maybe the concours judges should give them a pass on that.

RallyJon · 08-03-2005, 12:20 PM

This is analogous to the SUVs vs normal cars discussion.

It's not enough to "drive defensively"--it should be incumbent upon all drivers to understand the relative damage they can do and not drive OFFENSIVELY.

I bet the lawyer for the Volvo driver tries to put the blame on the Duesenberg. Hopefully the various classic car organizations can file appropriate amicus briefs.