How do C3 convertibles fare in accidents?
#22
Safety Car
White line in center of first pic is pillar that belongs on front edge of passenger door!
Red line in second pic shows where the guard rail came in.
I walked away, only got 18 stitches. Next day I climbed in it and STOOD on the driver`s seat.
#23
Race Director
Don't sell early Corvettes short, they really hold do up fairly well in an accident.
They don't have any of the safety features of modern cars, such as air bags, ABS, crumple zones, etc, but 63-82 Corvettes are a relatively safe design. Fiberglass absorbs impact and energy well. The heavy, full frame and birdcage provide strength to the car's structure, and the engine setback and resulting cockpit setback, create a pseudo crumple zone.
Seat belts are still the best and most effective safety feature in your car, so if there is anything that every owner of an old Corvette should be concerned about, it is their seat belts. Old belts loose their strength. The stitching deteriorates, and the webbing stretches and wears, effecting it's strength (for this reason, racing organizations require belts to be replaced every few years, and usually after an accident). The operation of many of the old retractors, is also a concern. I would recommend to anyone driving an early Corvette, to have their belts replaced with new reproductions, or restored by someone like Seatbelt Solutions, who have the equipment to properly test a set of belts.
Every modern car is far safer than any car built 40-50 years ago. When compared to other cars from it's era, the early Corvette is a relatively safe car, and probably still is.
They don't have any of the safety features of modern cars, such as air bags, ABS, crumple zones, etc, but 63-82 Corvettes are a relatively safe design. Fiberglass absorbs impact and energy well. The heavy, full frame and birdcage provide strength to the car's structure, and the engine setback and resulting cockpit setback, create a pseudo crumple zone.
Seat belts are still the best and most effective safety feature in your car, so if there is anything that every owner of an old Corvette should be concerned about, it is their seat belts. Old belts loose their strength. The stitching deteriorates, and the webbing stretches and wears, effecting it's strength (for this reason, racing organizations require belts to be replaced every few years, and usually after an accident). The operation of many of the old retractors, is also a concern. I would recommend to anyone driving an early Corvette, to have their belts replaced with new reproductions, or restored by someone like Seatbelt Solutions, who have the equipment to properly test a set of belts.
Every modern car is far safer than any car built 40-50 years ago. When compared to other cars from it's era, the early Corvette is a relatively safe car, and probably still is.
#24
Race Director
i saw a video of a 61 Impala vs I think a Camry or something. the Impala opened up like a can of soup. of course maybe they picked that car cuz of it's x-frame design, but a welded unibody is waaaay stronger in an impact.
#28
Le Mans Master
Member Since: May 2003
Location: Fernandina Beach FL
Posts: 8,476
Received 3,218 Likes
on
1,730 Posts
2023 Restomod of the Year finalist
2020 C3 of the Year Winner - Modified
In 1978 I was in a head-on collision in my 68- and lived to tell about.
Woke up three days later in the hospital and had no idea what was going on. I had broken the hardest bone in my body- my cheekbone- in 7 places- also cracked a couple of vertebra.
I was young and dumb- not wearing a seat belt.
My doctor told me with that that much injury- I should have had brain damage.
I'm guessing it wasn't my time.
I do wear a seat-belt all the time now- don't run around the house with scissors nor do I stick my fingers in electrical sockets.
However- I don't sweat the small stuff nor stuff I don't have control over.
Just the other day- a lady was driving down the road, a tree fell on her car and killed her-I'm guessing her time was up.
I DO try to enjoy everyday AND drive my Vette- as life's too short.
Richard
Woke up three days later in the hospital and had no idea what was going on. I had broken the hardest bone in my body- my cheekbone- in 7 places- also cracked a couple of vertebra.
I was young and dumb- not wearing a seat belt.
My doctor told me with that that much injury- I should have had brain damage.
I'm guessing it wasn't my time.
I do wear a seat-belt all the time now- don't run around the house with scissors nor do I stick my fingers in electrical sockets.
However- I don't sweat the small stuff nor stuff I don't have control over.
Just the other day- a lady was driving down the road, a tree fell on her car and killed her-I'm guessing her time was up.
I DO try to enjoy everyday AND drive my Vette- as life's too short.
Richard
#29
Melting Slicks
The weakest part of these thing is the doors. A direct hard "T-bone" hit to the drivers side door is likely to be the greatest risk to your life. My 68 has been ***-ended THREE times in the 40 years I've owned it. Rear bumpers held off most of the damage - though I am going to finally replace the tail-light panel when I do the hitch. It's more glass patch than panel - LOL.
-W
PS: Did that head-on '68 vert survive? Looks pretty damn straight from the firewall back.
-W
PS: Did that head-on '68 vert survive? Looks pretty damn straight from the firewall back.
Last edited by Clams Canino; 12-10-2017 at 11:14 PM.
#30
Melting Slicks
It was a 59 Chevy Bel Air vs 2009 Chevy Malibu. It was to show the improvements in safety over the last 50 years.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fPF4fBGNK0U
Mike
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fPF4fBGNK0U
Mike
So as to see the Malibu damage from the same angles.
-W
#31
Le Mans Master
Member Since: Dec 2009
Location: Saskatoon Saskatchewan
Posts: 6,397
Received 640 Likes
on
463 Posts
The weakest part of these thing is the doors. I direct hard "T-bone" hit to the drivers side door is likely to be the greatest risk to your life. My 68 has been ***-ended THREE times in the 40 years I've owned it. Rear bumpers held off most of the damage - though I am going to finally replace the tail-light panel when I do the hitch. It's more glass patch than panel - LOL. -W
Last edited by Priya; 12-10-2017 at 11:14 PM.
#32
Melting Slicks
If you're going THAT far to change the rear - why not get a whole rear clip and make a vert out of it?
-W
#34
Melting Slicks
It really doesn't look a pantload different than my '68 vert.
IMHO coupes kill the "natural lines" of the car at it's best profile.
-W
Last edited by Clams Canino; 12-11-2017 at 12:30 AM.
#35
Le Mans Master
Member Since: Dec 2009
Location: Saskatoon Saskatchewan
Posts: 6,397
Received 640 Likes
on
463 Posts
I agree convertibles look great with the top down, its the top up look that doesn't appeal to me and I don't like a windy drive so I have no desire to drive in a convertible with the top down. To me the hard top looks better than the soft top but still not as good as the coupe.
#36
Burning Brakes
Member Since: Sep 2016
Location: Dutchess county New York
Posts: 750
Received 295 Likes
on
158 Posts
69 'vert
I prefer the vert but have an old b&w pic of my car with the hard top on and it's pretty badass looking
I enjoy the wind blowing through my hair. My beard that is - the hair on top left long ago..........
I enjoy the wind blowing through my hair. My beard that is - the hair on top left long ago..........
Last edited by pigfarmer; 12-11-2017 at 06:05 AM.
#37
Melting Slicks
fastest config for the C3 body as well.
-W
#38
Pro
When I was 8 yrs. old back in 69', my Dad wrecked his 68' 427 Vette when he lost control and hit a bridge. He had his lap belt on but he lost several teeth when his face hit the steering wheel and bent the upper part of it. He lived and when I saw him the next day, he looked like the mummy with all of the bandages he was wearing and at age 85, he's still with us but now driving Caddy's.
#39
Melting Slicks
Yep! agree!
I think our corvettes are only slightly better than motorcycles as far as safety goes. Being someone who has ridden motorcycle all his life starting as a teen in the 60's, I believe yourself is going to make the difference of living or dying. I believe 100% in defensive driving. I'm scanning around me at all times watching for others trying to take me out. I think it's the only reason I'm still here.
Mike
Mike
And so, I think in a C3 you are a lot safer by quite a bit compared to a motorcycle. However, there is still a lot more risk in a C3 than a modern automobile obviously.
Therefore, I believe you can lower your risk substantially by driving your C3 with the same mindset and thinking that safety minded motorcyclists use. You can google safe motorcycle driving and get some excellent suggestions that I try to always use.
Last edited by 20mercury; 12-11-2017 at 11:00 PM.
The following users liked this post:
PainfullySlow (12-12-2017)