[Z06] Safety
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 168
Likes: 0
From: Cherryville North Carolina
Safety
I own a 2001 z06 and I was just wondering how safe these cars are. My doors are so light I don't see they could decently protect me. One of my best friends died a year ago in a wreck and because of that I've been thinking a lot more about safety.
So has anyone been hit in the door before at a decent speed? How do these things hold up? I tried searching on google for the safety ratings for these cars but couldn't find much.
Thanks.
So has anyone been hit in the door before at a decent speed? How do these things hold up? I tried searching on google for the safety ratings for these cars but couldn't find much.
Thanks.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 4,030
Likes: 6
From: Maryland
I own a 2001 z06 and I was just wondering how safe these cars are. My doors are so light I don't see they could decently protect me. One of my best friends died a year ago in a wreck and because of that I've been thinking a lot more about safety.
So has anyone been hit in the door before at a decent speed? How do these things hold up? I tried searching on google for the safety ratings for these cars but couldn't find much.
Thanks.
So has anyone been hit in the door before at a decent speed? How do these things hold up? I tried searching on google for the safety ratings for these cars but couldn't find much.
Thanks.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 35,173
Likes: 2,120
From: Right Corner Pocket of Illinois
No-IL Events Coordinator
2026 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2025 C6 of the Year Winner - Unmodified
2020 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (appearance mods)
2019 C6 of Year Winner (appearance mods)
2018 C6 of Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '12 thru '26
I believe the museum has a C5 crash car on exhibit that held up quite well...
Pro
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 693
Likes: 92
From: Savannah GA
Every new car sold in America in recent history has to provide side impact protection. AFAIK all of them including the Corvette achieve this with side impact beams. I found this in a press release for the 1998 C5 convertible.
"Tubular side-door guard beams protect occupants in the event of a side impact collision. Energy-absorbing foam in the doors also enhances side-impact ..."
I would asume that the same design features continued in coupe, convertible, frc and ZO6models through all the years of the C5. From what I have seen looking at crash test ratings the C5 does pretty well and many cars that seem like they would be safer actually are not.
"Tubular side-door guard beams protect occupants in the event of a side impact collision. Energy-absorbing foam in the doors also enhances side-impact ..."
I would asume that the same design features continued in coupe, convertible, frc and ZO6models through all the years of the C5. From what I have seen looking at crash test ratings the C5 does pretty well and many cars that seem like they would be safer actually are not.
Pro
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 714
Likes: 251
From: Grand Island, Florida
I think that they are as safe as WE make them. I realize that many accidents are not "pilot error", but defensive driving goes a long way these days. Is it me or does it seem that poor driving is on the increase? Texting, cell phones and other distractions were not around in my earlier years of driving, but I think that many of us from that generation looked upon driving as almost an art, and tried to be good drivers - it doesn't seem to be that way today, even with safer roads and highways (may be part of the problem - too relaxing) today's drivers just don't seem as focused as years past.
Bronk
Bronk
Racer
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 4,434
Likes: 18
From: Braselton GA
Weight doesn't equal safety, but have you ever taken one off? A C5 door is very heavy actually.
It's got (what looks like) 1.75" dia .095" or 120" wall impact bar. Pretty stout piece. Wouldn't stop another car but...
It's got (what looks like) 1.75" dia .095" or 120" wall impact bar. Pretty stout piece. Wouldn't stop another car but...
