From the Insurance Institute. Shows the difference between an '09 Chevy Malibu and a '59 Bel Air. According to the crash dummies, the Malibu driver sustains an injured ankle while the '59's pilot is now "six feet under" . I knew today's technology had significantly changed passenger safety but this is pretty telling...

Thought you'd find interesting.

I wonder if the 1959 had a compromised body? (Rust or an incorrectly repaired / restored car and frame) Any more details on the 1959.

is this for real?

why would they do that?

Yes, this is for real. The Institute did this to illustrate the advances in "crash zones" over the years. The average consumer would think the big, bulky steel barges of yesteryear would fair better than the new plasticmobiles...not so much.

Ralph, my wife actually attended this demonstration to insurance companies. The Bel Air appeared to be in very good shape (cosmetically anyway), but even if one suspects less frame integrity (50 year old steel!), it still is dramatic. Apparently, the main reason for the fatal result for the Bel Air "dummy" was inferior restraints (lap seat belts) and the intrusion of the steering wheel and metal dash into the driver.

A couple of thoughts.

A vintage car with a perimiter frame would probably fared better.

If the results weren't very drastic then what did the Ins Institute for Highway Safety do in 50 years.

That was a waste of two perfictally good chevy's...