Crash Test 1959 Chevrolet Bel Air VS. 2009 Chevrolet Malibu (Frontal Offset) IIHS 50th Anniversary

In the 50 years since US insurers organized the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, car crashworthiness has improved. Demonstrating this was a crash test conducted on Sept. 9 between a 1959 Chevrolet Bel Air and a 2009 Chevrolet Malibu. In a real-world collision similar to this test, occupants of the new model would fare much better than in the vintage Chevy.

"It was night and day, the difference in occupant protection," says Institute president Adrian Lund. What this test shows is that automakers don't build cars like they used to. They build them better."

The crash test was conducted at an event to celebrate the contributions of auto insurers to highway safety progress over 50 years. Beginning with the Institute's 1959 founding, insurers have maintained the resolve, articulated in the 1950s, to "conduct, sponsor, and encourage programs designed to aid in the conservation and preservation of life and property from the hazards of highway accidents."

A decade after the Institute was founded, insurers directed this organization to begin collecting data on crashes and the cost of repairing vehicles damaged in crashes. To lead this work and the Institute's expanded research program, insurers named a new president, William Haddon Jr., who already was a pioneer in the field of highway safety. In welcoming Dr. Haddon, Thomas Morrill of State Farm said "the ability to bring unbiased scientific data to the table is extremely valuable." This scientific approach, ushered in by Dr. Haddon, is a hallmark of Institute work. It's why the Institute launched the Highway Loss Data Institute in 1972 — to collect and analyze insurance loss results to provide consumers with model-by-model comparisons.

Another Institute milestone was the 1992 opening of the Vehicle Research Center. Since then, the Institute has conducted much of the research that has contributed to safer vehicles on US roads. At the anniversary event, current Institute chairman Gregory Ostergren of American National Property and Casualty summed up a commitment to continue what fellow insurers began in 1959: "On this golden anniversary of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, we celebrate this organization's accomplishments toward safer drivers, vehicles, and roadways. We salute the vision of the Institute's founders and proudly continue their commitment to highway safety."

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• Crash
• Test
• 1959
• Chevrolet
• Bel
• Air
• VS.
• 2009
• Malibu
• (Frontal
• Offset)
• IIHS
• 50th
• Anniversary

[MrTennisballs]

honestly, I'd rather die in a bel air than live in a malibu

[asdehaan]

@cezardoborn We have been improving on crumble zones for 50 years. Your personal experience crashing at 80MPH is not a scientific test. There are to many variables involved to know why you survived that crash. The 1980 240D received 1 star for side impact and 2 stars for front impact. The 190e did not fare much better. Kia's from 1995 get 4/3. Engineering has greatly improved safety with structural design, not to mention the improvement in materials.

[mhtube01]

@thespeez Ahh ok gotcha.

[thespeez]

@mhtube01 The 1955-57 Chevys were virtual copies of each other. The 1958 was a one-year only body style and the 1959 was a different style altogether. The '59 Chevy her IS a Bel Air! Look closely at the insignia on the front fender. The '59 Impala had thicker side trim with the insignia in the trim piece on the rear fender and had vertical trim strips in the rear taillights.

[mhtube01]

@thespeez Hmm didn't know that. I've seen a 57 Bel Air and it looks completely different from this but this looks like an Impala from the front and back. Still though what a waste of a beautiful American classic and the test is fake to begin with. It's got no motor in it, it's moving very slowly compared to the Malibu, and look at that rust cloud that comes up after the collision. Too many people anymore have no appreciation for these old cars which is such a shame.

[thespeez]

@mhtube01 The 1959 and '60 model Chevys were virtually copies of the other. The differences include side trim, and different front and rear end styling.

[jrickabaugh10]

I can not belive that they did that to that 1959 chevy bel air that sucks!!!!!!!!!!!!

[MrZeberfuckingdee]

The 59 chev looks riddled with rust, not really a fair comparison.

[FGalaxie]

@MrTennisballs Better a malibu that Japanese junk

[XCFBowling]

@cezardoborn watch?v=NpsVqW-4pwU&feature=re­lated

[Timx4]

Chinese car is better

[jgarruba2]

The crash test was bogus. they deliberately choose a flawed vehical. The X frame of the 1959 Bel air has serious safety flaws compared to other vehicles of it's time. They also choose the model with the Six cylinder which proved even more dangerous If they were to try this with a car that was designed properly in the 50’s the Malibu would be toast. I think this is one for Myth Busters