Ford and passive safety almost 50 years ago
12/17/2017
It was long before the Euro NCAP test or other safety standards were invented. For around 50 years, car manufacturers such as Ford were already working intensively on the passive safety of their vehicles.
"The safest cars are those that can absorb as much energy as possible in the predefined crumple zones," Ford communicated at the time. At the time, many people thought that the safest car was a tank. This was only true as long as the other party in the accident was not also a tank. In 1971, Ford could already look back on 15 years of intensive crash tests and accident research. And even then, Ford pointed out that modern safety technology would only work if seat belts were worn.
The picture shows over 20 prototypes (from the Ford Escort to the Capri to the Mustang) that were destroyed in accident tests. The men in the white shirts are inspecting one of the wrecks, which has been conveniently placed on its side so that it can be viewed from below.
