Other: Avanti Crash Safety?

[kmb]

Hi all,

I've been thinking a bit about an Avanti. I'm wondering as to their safety as a daily driver. I know they have a built in roll bar, padded dash, structural door latches, and discs all around, but the steering column and structure scare me. I can just imagine being impaled by the column in a small-overlap crash. As for the structure; I know up until at least the late '50s cars were built with a more or less homogenous rigidity, front to back (i.e. no crumple zones to absorb energy and reduce acceleration in a crash), and side impacts simply weren't considered (*cough* GM X-Frame *cough*). Fuel tank placement was another issue entirely...

So, I guess my question is, about how safe is an Avanti compared to a modern car (say, MY 2020)? I worry, because, of all the accidents I've been in, none have been my fault (I was rear ended by a texting driver while stopped, I nearly had my front corner taken off by a driver changing lanes abruptly, and my car was hit by a fire-engine while parked). I have a wife now, and I can't on good conscience put her or myself at substantial risk just to chase my passion for beautiful old cars.

Thank you and warm regards,

Kevin

[Commander Eddie]

Kevin, I am no expert on automobile safety but I know that modern automobiles are much safer than the ones we grew up with in the sixties. Many of today's safety features came out of the lessons learned from the past.
I would suggest that if you are really concerned about this issue, you might want to pass on driving older cars and trucks. I personally look at it this way. When I am driving my 50s vintage Studebaker I use extra caution. It is a different experience from driving a modern vehicle. I trust no one but my own driving skills and always assume the vehicles around me are a potential hazard. I follow my dad's advice when I was young: focus down the road; not right in front of me; keep your head and eyes in motion and always know where the cars around you are at any given moment; leave yourself an out in case something unexpected happens; watch your speed and keep both hands on the wheel. I have never had a serious crash, in fact all three times I have been involved in a fender bender I was struck from behind while I was stopped. I have been driving for over 56 years.
So, you can enjoy driving an older vehicle and take responsibility for your own driving safety, or let your concerns keep you from doing so. No one can make that choice but you.

[bezhawk]

Consider one of the later iterations of Avanti built on the GM Firebird platform, or even later ones on the Mustang platform. They ave all the saftey equipment as the date of manufacturers vehicle they based them off of.

[mbstude]

Makes me think of an old Jay Leno bit where he’s talking about his ‘55 Buick Roadmaster.

“…No padded dashboard on this car. You hit your head on the dash, they hose it off and sell it to somebody else.”

[RadioRoy]

It's a safe car. It's right up to 1962 safety standards, except for the fiberglass body.

[Hawklover]

IMHO, its just not a vehicle to be utilized as a daily driver.

[Buzzard]

Kevin,
I see you are in Los Angeles where there is probably no where worse for traffic. If you were in the back country of the Carolinas or Tennessee it would be a different situation as you could relegate your Avanti to pleasure use only, with minimal traffic. Or as Brad states above, get the latest iteration possible in order to stack your safety concerns in your favor.
I own two and would never consider them a daily driver where you live. I do enjoy long road trips on secondary roads for attending Studebaker meets from afar.
They are still 60 year old cars and I don't care what brand you choose, a comparison between a newer designed vehicle and a 60+ is an unfair comparison. I suggest you get an expendable newer car with the latest safety equipment and relegate an Avanti to pure pleasure such as attending shows etc. I never thought this would come out of my mouth, but a new KIA is safer than an old Avanti(just forget the personality).
Bill

[64studeavanti]

Around 1975 or so, my daily driver was a 57 MGA. I did not feel uncomfortable in either LA or San Diego traffic. Last time I was there, 2015, there were issues driving my son's new Chrysler Mini Van. Some lady who did not speak English decided to cross over into my lane. There was no place to go as all lanes were occupied

If you want a daily driver, get a more modern car.

[Dwight FitzSimons]

A couple things can be done to significantly modernize the safety of an Avanti, a car that was already safer than almost any car of the time:
(1) Install 3-point seat belts. The B pillar provides a good attachment point for that. Three-point seat belts have been proven to be much more effective than lap belts.
(2) Install modern disc brakes on the front, and a dual master cylinder.
(3) Install modern radial tires on wider wheels than original.
(4) Consider installing flanged rear axles.

--Dwight

[mch]

Kevin, though not proud of 2 accidents when at a traffic light; NJ, and the other sitting in traffic in Staten Island NY, I can answer from those 2 experiences. My 64 R2 was in the shop for over a year for a frame on restoration; paint, re-chroming, full suspension, brakes, exhaust, etc. Oh, the engine was fine but the trans needed a full redo. While sitting at a traffic light a lady was driving a Ford Granada while on her hand held cell, drinking coffee and putting on makeup and ran into me just under 30 mph. the second was similar with a kid texting and driving and hit me at 25mph. The obvious was rear fiberglass damage, damaged rear bumper. Broke engine motor mounts, dropped drive shaft, damaged torque converter & transmission. Damaged exhaust system which ended up cracking an exhaust header. The fuel tank and delivery system was intact without any dripping or damages.
Obviously my neck, back and hips were achy for a week. My temper was in check even when the first accident lady driver said, I HAVE NO INSURANCE. At least the kid driving his mothers car had a good policy which covered about $17K
I know of another NJ driver with an Avanti II that was t-boned on the drivers side. He was sore and bruised but lived to tell the story.
Mark

[kmb]

Thank you all for the sincere responses! This is about what I was thinking. Being an attentive driver only means I'm an attentive driver, not the person who's about to t-bone me! I'll keep dreaming of Avantis and '41s, but keep my Jetta when it comes to actually driving (and keep my eyes on the road!).

Warm regards,

Kevin

[RadioRoy]

kmb How often are you involved in car crashes? The past cannot predict the future, but it's generally a good indicator.

[Hawklover]

Kevin, though not proud of 2 accidents when at a traffic light; NJ, and the other sitting in traffic in Staten Island NY, I can answer from those 2 experiences. My 64 R2 was in the shop for over a year for a frame on restoration; paint, re-chroming, full suspension, brakes, exhaust, etc. Oh, the engine was fine but the trans needed a full redo. While sitting at a traffic light a lady was driving a Ford Granada while on her hand held cell, drinking coffee and putting on makeup and ran into me just under 30 mph. the second was similar with a kid texting and driving and hit me at 25mph. The obvious was rear fiberglass damage, damaged rear bumper. Broke engine motor mounts, dropped drive shaft, damaged torque converter & transmission. Damaged exhaust system which ended up cracking an exhaust header. The fuel tank and delivery system was intact without any dripping or damages.
Obviously my neck, back and hips were achy for a week. My temper was in check even when the first accident lady driver said, I HAVE NO INSURANCE. At least the kid driving his mothers car had a good policy which covered about $17K
I know of another NJ driver with an Avanti II that was t-boned on the drivers side. He was sore and bruised but lived to tell the story.
Mark

Yes Peter Cristello who is affectionately known as Mr. Studebaker in Studedom actually cajoled his insurance company to fix the damage! From what is common knowledge, your Avanti did have a full restoration due to the effects of Hurricane Sandy...for those that are not knowledgeable about parts of New Jersey, Sandy did major destruction in the county of Monmouth, the area of Rumson was particularly hit hard because many of the homes sit at the apex of two rivers, the Navesink and the Shrewsbury. Indeed your Avanti sadly suffered at the "hands" of Sandy........fortunately you were indemnified.

[Hawklover]

Thank you all for the sincere responses! This is about what I was thinking. Being an attentive driver only means I'm an attentive driver, not the person who's about to t-bone me! I'll keep dreaming of Avantis and '41s, but keep my Jetta when it comes to actually driving (and keep my eyes on the road!).

Warm regards,

Kevin

Kevin you have made the wise choice, indeed save up for your dream rides, just drive an "econ-box" for your daily commute:-)

[Hawklover]

Kevin, I am no expert on automobile safety but I know that modern automobiles are much safer than the ones we grew up with in the sixties. Many of today's safety features came out of the lessons learned from the past.
I would suggest that if you are really concerned about this issue, you might want to pass on driving older cars and trucks. I personally look at it this way. When I am driving my 50s vintage Studebaker I use extra caution. It is a different experience from driving a modern vehicle. I trust no one but my own driving skills and always assume the vehicles around me are a potential hazard. I follow my dad's advice when I was young: focus down the road; not right in front of me; keep your head and eyes in motion and always know where the cars around you are at any given moment; leave yourself an out in case something unexpected happens; watch your speed and keep both hands on the wheel. I have never had a serious crash, in fact all three times I have been involved in a fender bender I was struck from behind while I was stopped. I have been driving for over 56 years.
So, you can enjoy driving an older vehicle and take responsibility for your own driving safety, or let your concerns keep you from doing so. No one can make that choice but you.

Excellent thoughts!...............as I have said many times.............when I get behind the wheel of my Avanti I have to drive it, and not allow it to drive me. It is a car that demands constant attention and I mean constant, not like driving the Town Car which is a boat on 4 wheels and can lull one to fall asleep. And because so many people gawk at the car I am awake to folks sliding into my lane!!