<VV> Re: GAS TANK PROTECTION in Corvairs

[Charles Lee at Proper Pro Per]

Back in the old days, I saw a late model crash head-on into a telephone 
pole, right up to the cowl, and the guy walked home from the accident.

My own experience was similar when I rear-ended a 1958 T-Bird that was 
"parked" on the Southern State Parkway (the driver took the "Park" in 
"Parkway" too literally ?)

Traffic was doing about 60-65 when I looked at the driver, who was off the 
side of the road waving his arms like a nut, enough to distract me, and long 
enough that I never saw his car before I hit it.

All I remember was a big "Whoosh !" as the front end collapsed and took up 
the shock.

Had I been driving my 1968 Camaro, which would have pushed the engine back 
who-knows-where, I may not be here today.

The gas tank, nestled behind the front cross-member was never touched.

http://www.foresightsoftware.com/Corvairs/CorsaTbirdCrash.htm

You can see the imprint that the T-birds rear lights left in my front deck 
lid.

I had no injuries, and owe that "luck" to driving my favorite car (still 
is).

Chaz


----- Original Message ----- 
From: <N2VZD at aol.com>
To: <virtualvairs at corvair.org>
Sent: Sunday, October 22, 2006 12:27 PM
Subject: <VV> Re: GAS TANK PROTECTION in Corvairs


> one of the corvairs i parted out years ago, hit a bridge abutment at @ 50
> mph. the front end was smacked flat, but the gas tank was still in good 
> shape.
> this was a 63 coupe with low miles on it.  the guy walked away with minor
> injuries. i was impressed that the steering column stayed ok, not at all 
> like a vw
> of that time period. the ball joints were ripped out of the upper a 
> frames.
> regards, tim colson
>
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