Crumple zones in older cars

[Dougs260z]

Has anyone got any comments on this accident damaged 280z. Should we all be looking at roll cages?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1978-dat...m546b8b8294:g:1WQAAOSw0BdbYyO5&frcectupt=true

 

[uk66fastback]

Life can be difficult. You take it in your hands every time you step out of the front door.

In other matters, the bare-faced cheek of asking £50 for a mangled bonnet twisted so badly it would be nigh on impossible to use again IS criminal. Typical Douglas Valley ... maybe you could use the leading edge but that's about it.

Roll cage? I'll take my chances ...

 

[richiep]

If someone expects crumple zones they should buy a new f'#'!$$$ Volvo.

That 280Z is so badly mangled there's virtually nothing salvageable on it. Maybe the rear hatch and a few other bits from around the back end. The long block might to rebuild-able - once its been extracted from its current home buried in the bulkhead!

 

[Mr.G]

Semi roll cage could be an option, not too intrusive... but wouldn't help with a side on or a front end collision.

When thinking of safety in the 1970s, I couldn't help but think of this poster I have...... some manufacturers were really quite advanced in their thinking...!

Centre point steering geometry - so you only realise you have a blow out when you smell the burning rubber.... or the engine going under the car in a head on impact is pretty impressive...

 

[Ped]

If someone expects crumple zones they should buy a new f'#'!$$$ Volvo.

Or, you could have a Volvo and a Datsun, that's what I've got. The Volvo is cracking on a bit at 16 years old...

 

[Ped]

Looks like the car was carrying a pot of primer when it was hit, just noticed the back pics. Hope the driver is OK.

 

[Woody928]

If you were dead serious (excuse the pun) then a full cage into a reinforced chasis would be the best option from my limited knowledge... (even this is far from perfect)

All that said, the cost and practicalities of doing both are not economical for the majority. For most of us we just don't think about it and put it to the back of our minds and hope that we don't ever get tangled up in that way. It's a hazard with running vehicles of this vintage or earlier.... Nothing is imune, advancements in safety over the last 20 years really do show though!

I certainly wouldn't go on any kind of drive or spirited one at that if I stopped and thought about the consequences. Life's too short as it is, live in the here and now I say.

 

[Bobafett]

I don't bother with seat belts in any of my classics, pointless IMO.