Crash test video: 1959 Chevy Bel-Air VS. 2009 Chevy Malibu - WOOF!

[NYCMille]

This test is downright frightening - man... me thinks a BIG OLE' cage is going in the Charger and Daytona over the winter.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5CU-k0XmLUk&feature=player_embedded

[moparstuart]

wow 

[b5blue]

 

[Go Hogs Go]

 

[Hemidog]

Our unibodys aren't much better 

[mikepmcs]

 

[Brock Samson]

i agree with the comment in the video that there isn't much evidence of a motor in the '59, if you examine the overhead shot in particular. anyhow that was very interesting to see. Thanks for the link, i agree about the roll bar especially in that bad boy Mike. 

[LoneStar Mopar]

So much for the idea that an old 50s behemoth will just rip thru a new car like it's a beer can!

[694spdRT]

I'd like to see how the new Impala would do against a full size 1970's Caddy, Olds, Buick, Lincoln, or Chrysler. 

[FLG]

I agree it looks to me like no motor, also ALOT of dust in the air that looks like rust..the Bel Air might have been trashed...not to mention they aim for the weakest spot on the car since its really just a big fender and nothing else. Id like to see a head on with a motor in the car and see what happens.

[73chgrSE]

Can I put an air bag in my "Tuff Wheel"

[tan top]

I agree it looks to me like no motor, also ALOT of dust in the air that looks like rust..the Bel Air might have been trashed...not to mention they aim for the weakest spot on the car since its really just a big fender and nothing else. Id like to see a head on with a motor in the car and see what happens.

yeah was thinking along the same lines 

[1BAD68]

Just incredible! The '09 didn't even crack the windshield.
At 1 minute you can see all the rust dust come out of the rocker panel.
If you watch closely around 1:03 something flies out of the engine compartment, maybe an air cleaner?

[PocketThunder]

Remember these guys!  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tjIud8zYRbI             

[Silver R/T]

First thought I had is that 59 doesn't have drivetrain in it. Drivetrain would've absorbed most of the damage. There's no way Malibu would've traveled that far into 59 if it had drivetrain. This is also not head on collision but more off-center

[bull]

The addition of shoulder belts in the Bel Air would have helped too. I know this was a stock vs. stock contest but still... I have to agree though; there's no engine in the 59.

[1970Moparmann]

Wow, may be thinking twice on a cage for the 68...

[WHITE AND RED 69]

Never really wanted a rollcage till now. always thought old cars were tougher.

[Landonsrt]

Also have to think in the Belair if it had taken a direct hit, the engine would have caused more damage to the person inside. Since it would have been pushed back along with the rest of the car into the drivers compartment. Another innovation of new vehicles to have an engine rollaway system. The malibu did very well. But your also looking at 50 years of strict government regulations and guidelines....

[1969chargerrtse]

How fair is it to use a 50 year old car that looks shiny but has no engine and rust is flying around?
After watching again, I saw the exhaust and air cleaner fly off.  It said somewhere there was a motor. I think there was an engine.

[69bronzeT5]

I agree. Looks like the car had no engine and was rusty. Of course, that dosen't change the fact the new Malibu kicked the Bel-Air's ass!

[Silver R/T]

just a marketing video for GM, not much more.

[bull]

What's the weight difference between the two? I know there's about 800-900 lbs diff between the '69 Charger and that new thing they're calling Charger so I'm guessing there's a new car weight advantage in this Chevy crash contest.

[Mike DC]

             
I agree, the longer I look at it the more the Bel Air looks like a ringer.  Or at least a car that wasn't in as good a condition as it appeared to be. 

[1969chargerrtse]

             
I agree, the longer I look at it the more the Bel Air looks like a ringer.  Or at least a car that wasn't in as good a condition as it appeared to be.  

Did you see how the front fender trim flew off?  I didn't even see clips, what did they do glue it on.  Run a Olds Delta 88 from the 70's into that malibu and you would see a different story.