facthunter Posted February 9 Posted February 9 "Hitler's REVENGE". . Buy a VW and "roll your OWN". Nev 2
old man emu Posted February 9 Posted February 9 1 minute ago, facthunter said: "Hitler's REVENGE". . Buy a VW and "roll your OWN". Nev Compare one of today's light passenger vehicles with a VW, or any other car of the same era, and you will wonder how we survived. Well, a lot didn't. I wouldn't send my grandson out on the public streets in the sort of car I first drove, unless he was participating in a parade of historic vehicles. 1 1
spacesailor Posted February 9 Posted February 9 I don't know ! The V8 Ford pilot seemed a great car for it's day . It had good ' crashability ' against the Morris & Austin of the same era ! . spacesailor
old man emu Posted February 9 Posted February 9 The Ford Pilot was a product of its time, but in that time, crash survivability was a matter of sheer luck. Of cause the Pilot would mangle an Austin or a Morris in a prang, just because of its greater mass, and greater rigidity. But lack of seat belts, rigid steering column, unpadded dashboard and rigid chassis all contribute to passenger injury. Our modern cars might be a write-off in a relatively less serious prang, but the occupants can get out and walk around to survey the damage. 1 2
onetrack Posted February 9 Posted February 9 The road toll, as measured in deaths per thousand is going down steadily - it just spikes every few years as another crop of stupid drivers get behind the wheel. Drugs and alcohol play a large part in most road fatalities. 1 1
facthunter Posted February 9 Posted February 9 The Ford Pilot was an English built 1936 Ford slightly restyled. Used to crack the body at the bottom corners of the Boot. Sold a few here, only because we couldn't get USD after WW2.. Nev 1
facthunter Posted February 9 Posted February 9 During that Period I drove Peugeot 203's Purchased 2nd hand and extensively rebuilt by ME because I couldn't afford one new. 2
spacesailor Posted February 9 Posted February 9 But With all those safety devices even " autocide " ( motor suicide ) , should fail . I looked at a 2022 BMW xdrive . That had 'radar ' and everything to block an accident happening!. if a car can apply the brakes , keep you in the traffic lane . & refuse to accelerate into a tree . Why do people still die ! . spacesailor 1
onetrack Posted February 9 Posted February 9 Because they can select vehicles that don't have those systems fitted - which is the majority of the cars on the roads today.
facthunter Posted February 9 Posted February 9 IF you are stupid enough to go really fast the crumple zones and airbags will not save you. Modern cars are $#!t loads more safe than those old contraptions. The NUTS holding the steering wheels are the problem. They have no concept of the energy that is associated with high speed and most aren't good enough drivers to do it or pay enough attention to what they are doing. .. Nev 2
Jerry_Atrick Posted February 9 Posted February 9 3 hours ago, spacesailor said: Then why so many deaths ! . spacesailor The number of deaths per year are significantly lower than the mid 60s to the mid 80s, and look at the rate per 100,000 cars now versus 1925 and beyond.. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_motor_vehicle_deaths_in_Australia_by_year 1
pmccarthy Posted February 9 Posted February 9 I survived a childhood in the back of a Ford Pilot, until dad bought the FB Holden.
Jerry_Atrick Posted February 9 Posted February 9 I hope you survived the FB holden experience, too.. My mum and dad each had one.. and I managed to survive both (given both their driving skills, absolute luck!). It would be interesting to see the deaths per number of crashes ratio - obviously, though, there are other factors to consider besides the cars safety system - quality of roads at the time, speed, etc. But as a raw figure, that may give a better indication of exactly how good the current day cars safety systems are compared to yesteryears... 1
onetrack Posted February 9 Posted February 9 Much better roads, and far better quality tyre technology, has greatly reduced the road toll in the last 40-50 years. Add in braking systems that aren't "go faster" Holden drum brakes, and much refinement in cabin design, and it all adds up to much safer driving. 2
Jerry_Atrick Posted February 9 Posted February 9 I would argue that improvement in tyre technology is part of the safety system of a car. In the words of my favourite teacher, the late Jack Leahey, "there's only four bits of rubber the size of the palm of your hand between you and eternity when in a car".. Also, one could argue the technology in roads is being researched to improve safety, too, including things lite cats eyes and there was some other visual technology released not too long ago. All things combined, it's a system of driving and is far safer than it was. The numbers seem to refllect that. 1 1
pmccarthy Posted February 9 Posted February 9 We lived in Tumut with the Ford Pilot. I agree that the real risk was winding muddy steep roads often with no barriers against a steep drop, and bridges built by the SMA with no sides. Slipping and sliding with badly adjusted mechanical brakes at the back. Sometimes towing a heavy home-made camping trailer. 1 2
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