Opinion time: How would I have fared?

[KDMatt]

We just got into a car accident in my dad's Escort ZX2.

Another driver didn't yield on a green light, and turned in front of us, at ~40 mph. The front end of the 'scort took 85% of the impact, and is now, almost undoubtedly, a total write-off.

Inevitably, this has led me to thinking what would have happened if it'd been my Z instead. I know that the 280's (and later 260s) have somewhat beefier (albeit, uglier) looking bumpers, but the question remains, in a thirty year old car, lacking airbags, would I have been allright?

The three-point seatbelts, I know, are touchy, and lock very fast, but surely this cannot take the place of an airbag.

Four-point seatbelts?

What are some things I can do to the Z to make it as safe as possible, or things I shouldn't do or neglect when I "revive" her in the spring?

Thanks in advance guys, I always appreciate your input.

[Fun_in_my_z]

Ok first of all, air bags do way more harm then good. I was just in a wreck i am thankfull i maid it through. I was ok then the air bag busted my lip and smashed my hand. Not to mention the black eye.

Now that im off that rant. You probably wouldnt get a thousand dollers for the Z given its age. Plus its a Z for crying out loud!

I think you did ok you are typing arnt you

[Arne]

Airbags are designed as a supplement to the seat belts, designed to save people who can't be bothered to use the belts. The belts alone - when worn and adjusted properly - will do a good job keeping you out of the windshield and steering wheel. So if you are wearing the seatbelts in your Z, and they are in decent shape, don't worry about the lack of airbags.

That said, modern cars have a lot of passive safety (crumple zones, etc.) built in. Things that were basically unheard of in the 60's and 70's. So the Z can't be as survivable as a modern car.

But I won't let that stop me from driving and enjoying my Z when it's finished, anymore than I let it stop me from riding my motorcycle. It's life - there are risks...

[a7dz]

I have been driving my Z for thirty years and its size and age a not a factor when I get in it. 1970 240. I drive it when the mood strikes. I am in the process of refreshing her right now so, will be alittle while before she hits the street again. You can bet I am not building a garage ornament. So, you can see I agree with Arne.

We need to be aware of whats around us no matter what we are driving. Got hit a few years ago in my one ton Chevrolet truck. No, big deal until you find out that I was hit by a Semi pulling doubles hauling hay. Nothing left of the truck. Climbed in my Z to get to the doctors office.

Jim

[KDMatt]

Heh...

Yeah I suppose I did allright given that I'm typing... granted though, my right hand (particular the joints in my thumb) hurt a bit... I was clutching an empty Dr. Pepper can when the airbags went off. No injury came to anyone involved, just some minor bruising and such.

Anyway, Arne, thanks for that info about airbags, that does make me feel better... though I've always thought that modern seatbelts were designed to be used in conjunction with airbags, and weren't really meant to be standalone (at least anymore). The seatbelts in my Z lock up so fast, sometimes it's tough just to pull enough slack out to fasten them.

However, I still have a major question... Has anyone ever been in a wreck in their Z? What was the experience like (other than heartwrenching)... Looking at their design, are they safer than you'd expect, as safe as you'd expect, or deathtraps? I just kind of want to know now... I realize that statistically, my odds of being involved in another serious wreck are somewhat low, but yeah... it's sort of got me thinking now.

I'm a paranoid driver... it's just the other guy that's got me worried...

[Alfadog]

Hey mate, a good discussion took place in this thread : http://www.classiczcars.com/forums/showthread.php?t=17881&page=1&pp=15 a while ago FYI

Anyway, I have a hard time digesting the comment made by Arne about air bags being designed to supplement seatbelts. Seatbelts were invented first, and the only country I know of where you get to choose whether you wear one or not is America. So air bags were invented to protect those lazy/macho Americans who chose not to wear a seatbelt - at the cost of everyone else? I believe air bags were designed to complement seat belts.

[Arne]

I believe air bags were designed to complement seat belts.

Yes, complement is a better description than supplement. Thanks for the correction.

[SteveJ]

Hey mate, a good discussion took place in this thread : http://www.classiczcars.com/forums/showthread.php?t=17881&page=1&pp=15 a while ago FYI

Anyway, I have a hard time digesting the comment made by Arne about air bags being designed to supplement seatbelts. Seatbelts were invented first, and the only country I know of where you get to choose whether you wear one or not is America. So air bags were invented to protect those lazy/macho Americans who chose not to wear a seatbelt - at the cost of everyone else? I believe air bags were designed to complement seat belts.

Actually the US federal standards specify that air bags be powerful enough to stop a man who is not belted. In other words, they pop out with enough force that they are overkill. (http://www.iihs.org/laws/testimony/pdf/brief_stk_122302.pdf pg 3) Indeed, in American market cars, you will see the acronym SRS on the airbag cover. SRS stands for supplemental restraint system.

Frankly, I think that it's ridiculous to design airbags to protect unbelted passengers. If they have so much of a death wish that they do not want to use seat belts, we should just let Darwin take over and allow them to remove themselves from the gene pool.

[26th-Z]

I can't seem to find the photos of Nissan's crash testing program for the 240Z It was a discussion a l o n g time ago and there were photos of the test cars and dummies, etc. In the archives - somewhere.

My opinion is kind of a wierd one, perhaps. I'm a believer in air bags and have seen plenty of people walk away from wrecks that would have killed them otherwise. You are not very safe in an S30 chassis - not at all. A later 280 Z chassis is probably better than something like my early chassis, but either way. The cars crumple badly. There's a good chance you have survived a 40 mph front impact, KDMatt, but it would have totalled my Z and probably yours.

I suggest the first rule of thumb when driving a car. Don't hit anything. :-)

[Zthing]

KDMatt.......glad your ok man.

[Go240Zags]

Hey mate, a good discussion took place in this thread : http://www.classiczcars.com/forums/showthread.php?t=17881&page=1&pp=15 a while ago FYI

Anyway, I have a hard time digesting the comment made by Arne about air bags being designed to supplement seatbelts. Seatbelts were invented first, and the only country I know of where you get to choose whether you wear one or not is America. So air bags were invented to protect those lazy/macho Americans who chose not to wear a seatbelt - at the cost of everyone else? I believe air bags were designed to complement seat belts.

In our WA (Washington State, USA) you could say you get to choose, but only if you choose not to buckle up you get a $200+ fine. If you have children that are not buckled up you get to pay for each instance as well. If another adult in the car chooses not to buckle up it is my understanding they get the fine, not the driver. I believe most U.S. states have the same or similar laws with varying fine amounts. I'm sure there are countries and some U.S. states out there with the right to choose, but Washington State isn't one of them. Not that very long ago the coppers couldn't pull you over for no seat belt in my state, but even that has changed. Just north of the border from me in British Columbia, Canada buckling up is the law as well. How about the rest of you U.S. Z'ers and those from other countries?

[kenz240z]

Well, I have to admit that I think it is silly to legislate against stupidity. If a person doesn't want to wear a seatbelt, fine with me. Just don't complain when you find yourself thrown from the vehicle, perhaps severed in half and dead. Oh, let's see...I guess if you're dead you can't complain...

Anyway, I had a '91 Toyota pickup once. I was enjoying a nice, leisurely drive through Lucerne, MN, when a young driver in a flatbed delivery truck pulled right out in front of me. I was travelling at the posted speed limit of 50 mph. Needless to say, there was no time for me to react, and the collision sent me off the road and down an embankment. My little Toyota truck rolled 3 or 4 times. I still remember the roof caving in, the windshield shattering, and the side window blowing out.

When my little truck finally came to rest, I was amazed and relieved to find that all fingers & toes wiggled, all bones were intact, & I was still in one piece. I had a few cuts on my head from the breaking glass, and a 4 inch gash on my right forearm that required a few stitches. Other than that, I walked away from the accident. My truck, on the otherhand, was beyond totalled.

That Toyota truck had no airbags, and I'm not sure how it was designed to absorb an impact. Fortunately, I was wearing my seatbelt, a choice I've made EVERY time I get into a motor vehicle, whether I'm driving or not. Quite simply, it saved my life.