Eye cabbage: '54 crash test then and now.

[Chris_Dresbach]

"Then"

"Now"
[xx(]

Chris Dresbach. South Bend, In.

1940 Champion two door.
Parts of the 1952 Model N prototype.
1963 Prototype cart built by Studebaker.

[bams50]

DANG, that was a hard hit[:0] Hope it was remote-controlled somehow[B)]

Robert (Bob) Andrews- on the IoMT (Island of Misfit Toys)
Parish, central NY 13131

GOD BLESS AMERICA
Ephesians 6:10-17

[Chris_Dresbach]

This crash test was photographed and video taped. I have seen the video... somewhere.[B)] The test was done to test new door locks for the '54 models, and they passed. (the doors didn't fly open) In the video, it looked like the car was unmanned so I would assume it was done the same way they do them now. A pull cord is attached to the front axle and it pulls the car into the wall. The car was going pretty fast too. Notice that's quite a difference as to how crash test are performed today. Studebaker used one car, outside, one video camera and a regular camera. Today it's all done indoors with a million camera angles and stuff.[xx(]

Chris Dresbach. South Bend, In.

1940 Champion two door.
Parts of the 1952 Model N prototype.
1963 Prototype cart built by Studebaker.

[sals54]

What's amazing to me is how the "crumple zone" appears to have worked, even before crumple zones.

sals54

[bison]

I think the guys in the front wheel hub cap attachment department should have gotten a bonus for the way that hub cap stayed intact

[clonelark]

They were the poverty caps, they very seldom come off Who wants to volunteer their 54 for a crash test of a full hubcap

[COMMANDERPINK1]

Even tho its a test I believe much of the test done today are with a shot to a corner side hit.
Tom

[Chantony]

Look at the way that cabin stayed intact.[^]Throw in some airbags, seat belts and a collapsible column and I'd reckon the occupants would have survived.
The car sure looks like a landcruiser with poverty caps and regal trim to me though. She's got those nice long rear doors...

A.C.Moisley

[j.byrd]

Yep, very telling on the strength of the old cars. One of the guys that worked at the Studebaker dealer with my dad had a brother with a Hawk that went off the road and head on into the side of a concrete culvert when I was small. Dad ran up to the wreck and came back telling us kids to stay in the car, the Hawk was not horribly damaged, similar to the car above, from the cowl back, but the steering column had went through our friend and they had a time removing him. SO, you're right, Chantony, airbags and a collapsible column may have been all that was needed. BUT, that was in 56, so the public would probably revolted like they did with F- -ds attempt on safety with belts in 56. We learn slow sometimes, but I still remember that wreck like it was yesterday, very traumatic for a kid I guess. JB

[warrlaw1]

Reaally low mileage parts car?

[BRUCESTUDE]

Also look how the seat or seat back came loose, it (and momentum)would literally throw you out the windshield. That's why seat belt anchors need to be extremely strong, especially on our older cars!