Crashworthyness: Old vs. New
 

1959 Chevy, meet 2009 Chevy.

Interesting, as cars from the '50's have the reputation of being built like tanks.

YouTube - 1959 Chevrolet Bel Air Vs. 2009 Chevrolet Malibu IIHS Offset

Wow. Amazing video. Its looks like the windshield of the 09 car didn't even break.

Cars have come a very long way.

Also, today's full size cars are pretty heavy - they weigh close to what cars weighed in the 50s. The 2009 Malibu is 3400 lbs, the 1959 Bel Air is 3600 lbs.

With intensively designed structure and lots of passive safety systems, the modern car is far more crashworthy than the old tank. Even more so when the mass is similar.

I wonder about mid 80s to early 90s vs present... if the disparity is that great.

Notice it is a 50% offset test and the way it spears the 59 I'd say the 59 was equipped with the inline 6 and the engine just pushed off to the side.

Nice cloud of rust underneath also.