Return-path: [email protected] From: [email protected] Full-name: Edlesp Message-ID: <[email protected]> Date: Thu, 17 Feb 2000 14:13:29 EST Subject: Re: Frame construction To: [email protected] MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit X-Mailer: AOL 5.0 for Windows sub 44
In a message dated 2/17/00 9:37:02 AM Pacific Standard Time, [email protected] writes: << A good unibody is WAY better if you're planning on hitting a tree. >> Absolutely correct. Think of it this way. The more impact the vehicle absorbs the less your body has to... In other words, assuming that the occupant is wearing a seatbelt, if you hit a tree at say 70mph, the car may take up 20 or more of those mph by crumpling in on itself. Even though the car impacted at 70, your body may only feel the g forces of 50 mph or less of an impact. Very cool, I think. But remember, without a seatbelt the occupant will hit whatever object comes first (usually the steering wheel) at approx. the same speed as the car hit the object. The ability of the car to crumple and absorb impact in this scenario is worthless. Might as well be in a tank. Philip
