This is a crash test conducted on September 10, 1980 between a Minicars RSV (Research Safety Vehicle) and a 1979 Dodge Challenger. Each vehicle weighed about the same - RSV 3,087 lbs, Challenger 3,082 lbs - and the occupant compartment accelerations were very similar at 39 g for the RSV and 37 g for the Challenger.
The crash mode was full-frontal, and each vehicle was traveling at 43.26 mph - 53% more kinetic energy than the 35 mph crash test, and over twice that of a 30 mph crash test. In effect, each vehicle was experiencing a crash scenario approximately equal to hitting a wall at about 43 mph.
The results? The RSV's occupant compartment largely held up, although the right side gullwing door opened on impact, allowing the passenger dummy's right hand to leave the vehicle, and the left side door was jammed. The car had an airbag system designed for the unbelted (belt use was at 13% in 1980), so the large, firm airbags slammed into the occupants with considerable force. Forces on the dummies were relatively low, with minor to moderate injury likely.
Driver: HIC 703, 42 Chest G's, femur loads of 1,409 (L) and 1,427 (R) lbs.
Passenger: HIC 705, 43 Chest G's, femur loads of 1,016 (L) and 957 (R) lbs.
The Challenger's performance was much worse. The only advantage the Challenger had over the RSV was that the front doors were still operable (with difficulty). The occupant compartment was badly damaged, and the occupants, despite wearing seatbelts, hit the dashboard with a violent impact. The driver's injuries would likely be very severe, possibly fatal. The passenger would almost certainly be killed.
Driver: HIC 1,690, 92 Chest G's, femur loads of 983 (L) and 917 (R) lbs.
Passenger: HIC 3,630, 77 Chest G's, femur loads of 796 (L) and 1,434 (R) lbs.
The crash mode was full-frontal, and each vehicle was traveling at 43.26 mph - 53% more kinetic energy than the 35 mph crash test, and over twice that of a 30 mph crash test. In effect, each vehicle was experiencing a crash scenario approximately equal to hitting a wall at about 43 mph.
The results? The RSV's occupant compartment largely held up, although the right side gullwing door opened on impact, allowing the passenger dummy's right hand to leave the vehicle, and the left side door was jammed. The car had an airbag system designed for the unbelted (belt use was at 13% in 1980), so the large, firm airbags slammed into the occupants with considerable force. Forces on the dummies were relatively low, with minor to moderate injury likely.
Driver: HIC 703, 42 Chest G's, femur loads of 1,409 (L) and 1,427 (R) lbs.
Passenger: HIC 705, 43 Chest G's, femur loads of 1,016 (L) and 957 (R) lbs.
The Challenger's performance was much worse. The only advantage the Challenger had over the RSV was that the front doors were still operable (with difficulty). The occupant compartment was badly damaged, and the occupants, despite wearing seatbelts, hit the dashboard with a violent impact. The driver's injuries would likely be very severe, possibly fatal. The passenger would almost certainly be killed.
Driver: HIC 1,690, 92 Chest G's, femur loads of 983 (L) and 917 (R) lbs.
Passenger: HIC 3,630, 77 Chest G's, femur loads of 796 (L) and 1,434 (R) lbs.
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