hey guys, i really had no idea what section to put this in so here i am. anyway, i am looking to buy a chevelle. its got a full roll cage, safety harness seat belts, and the old american muscle solid metal. my questions is however, where does safety play a role here. does anyone have any concerns over there being no air bags? how dangerous are these muscle cars really. i appreicate it guys.

The cage can be dangerous on the street. You definitely need to be fully harnessed in tightly at all times with a cage, and make sure it is far enough away that your head cannot contact a tube in the event of an accident from any direction.

If you can't wear a helmet you are safer without a cage than with one, so if you're not going to race it, look for a car with no cage.

Of course I have concerns about my car not being nearly as safe as any of my other vehicles. I have concerns about just about everything in life. As an example, I am an electrician, any given day on my job if something went wrong or I just barely touched the wrong thing I could die. If my whole life could be safer that would be nice, but it's not going to happen and I am not going to let it stop me from doing the things I enjoy. Thats not to say I won't take precautions to make things as safe as possible though either. Old cars are not safe cars, their is a lot of miss conception there. many people think these old cars are tanks and will go right thru anything, that is wrong. Modern cars can take a hit much better, have many more ways to keep occupants from being injured, and have many more ways to keep the vehicle from getting into the accident in the first place. If you want to enjoy the experience of driving an old car then you have to accept the responsibility that goes along with it.

Jeff

Of course I have concerns about my car not being nearly as safe as any of my other vehicles. I have concerns about just about everything in life. As an example, I am an electrician, any given day on my job if something went wrong or I just barely touched the wrong thing I could die. If my whole life could be safer that would be nice, but it's not going to happen and I am not going to let it stop me from doing the things I enjoy. Thats not to say I won't take precautions to make things as safe as possible though either. Old cars are not safe cars, their is a lot of miss conception there. many people think these old cars are tanks and will go right thru anything, that is wrong. Modern cars can take a hit much better, have many more ways to keep occupants from being injured, and have many more ways to keep the vehicle from getting into the accident in the first place. If you want to enjoy the experience of driving an old car then you have to accept the responsibility that goes along with it.

Jeff
You're such a pessimist Jeff.:D

I don't think muscle cars are any more dangerous then many newer cars. The potential is there, but if you drive it correctly (being a little defensive, braking earlier), then you'll be fine. And I don't care what anybody says, I'd still rather be surrounded by 4000#s of metal then 3000# of plastic. I know the newer cars can take a better hit, but its still my preference.


Chris