Fiberglass
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 5,707
Likes: 4
From: Los Angeles
Until now I've never heard of anyone ever questioning the safety of a car based on its skin material. If it was unsafe for the last 50 years, you can bet your a$$ someone like Ralf Nader would have put an end to it just like he did the Corvair and the Volkswsagen 
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 869
Likes: 0
From: Nashua NH
Originally Posted by robvuk
Until now I've never heard of anyone ever questioning the safety of a car based on its skin material. If it was unsafe for the last 50 years, you can bet your a$$ someone like Ralf Nader would have put an end to it just like he did the Corvair and the Volkswsagen
I have a vague memory from growing up about people talking about a Corvette that launched into the air at over a 100 and smashed into the top of a tree.
Of course the problem is not with the fiberglass/smc but the driver's judgement and speed.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 5,707
Likes: 4
From: Los Angeles
Originally Posted by Sandy S
There are people out there that think Corvettes are dangerous. My parents were worried when I got one. The reason is that they probably have seen a picture or heard of a really spectacular accident at some time. It only takes one.
I have a vague memory from growing up about people talking about a Corvette that launched into the air at over a 100 and smashed into the top of a tree.
Of course the problem is not with the fiberglass/smc but the driver's judgement and speed.
I have a vague memory from growing up about people talking about a Corvette that launched into the air at over a 100 and smashed into the top of a tree.
Of course the problem is not with the fiberglass/smc but the driver's judgement and speed.
In that respect, Corvettes are very dangerous. They have a lot of power and in the hands of inexperienced drivers (and some experienced ones), it can get away from you in an instant. That's why GM installed traction control, abs and active handling. But none of this has anything to do with the structural integrity of the car.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 30,453
Likes: 4,591
From: Bonita Springs, Florida
Structurally the C5 is as safe as you can get. The body of a Corvette has nothing to do with its structure. These cars are well built and very safe in the hands of responsible drivers. Unlike unibody cars the Corvette does not rely on its body panels for structural rigidity, instead you are encapsuled within a safety cage like a race car.
Any car, especially a performance car is dangerous if you don't respect its power.
Any car, especially a performance car is dangerous if you don't respect its power.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 14,372
Likes: 2
From: Indianapolis IN
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17
[QUOTE=Sandy S]I have a vague memory from growing up about people talking about a Corvette that launched into the air at over a 100 and smashed into the top of a tree. QUOTE]
This did happen just east of Indianapolis on I-74 near Fairland. I believe it was 1966 or 1967. I was in high school there at the time. Both the driver and passenger were killed and the speedometer was frozen around 110.
This did happen just east of Indianapolis on I-74 near Fairland. I believe it was 1966 or 1967. I was in high school there at the time. Both the driver and passenger were killed and the speedometer was frozen around 110.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 4,208
Likes: 2
From: Rochester MN
CI 5-6-7-8 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'07
NCM Ambassador
I know the rear ends are built well - I got rear ended by a full sized pickup doing 25 - 30 while stopped at a red lite and I was fine. I know Todays Problem Is got rear ended at closer to 50 and he walked away from it.
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Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 348
Likes: 0
From: Southern California CA
Im so glad with the responces I got about the safety of the car. And I TOTALLY agree when it is the person behind the wheel, not the car. But it does have a lot of power but is backed up by ABS, TC, AH!
-Kam
-Kam