Austin Mini and its accident safety....

[mab01uk]

Classic Mini v Classic Motorbike....

[mk1]

Ha, ha, sometimes, you ARE better off in an old car!

[surfblue63]

But the rider was thrown clear of the scene and didn't risk getting burnt alive by all the spilt petrol.

No doubt them ragger muffins are waiting until plod looks the other way before knicking the hub caps.

[UHR850]

Oeps, Van takes Bike

[mab01uk]

[mab01uk]

[mab01uk]

[111Robin]

I find it a bit ghoulish posting photos of smashed cars, even if years ago you have no idea if anyone died or was seriously injured, sorry to be a pita but I don't find it helps the discussion.

[mab01uk]

However if it makes people think what can and does happen and drive just a little more more carefully....

[winabbey]

I can speak from experience that when a mini steering wheel does hit your chest, with enough force to bend the spokes and rim, and bend the column its pretty painful....

Out of interest, did you have one of those aftermarket steering column lowering brackets installed when this happened?

[winabbey]

These BMC crash test photos done at the Ford testing ground outside Melbourne show the way the steering column and steering wheel pivot up in a frontal collision, and the cabin remains basically intact. While this wouldn't meet current safety standards and design I reckon it was a pretty good result for its era. The monocoque construction also assisted in keeping things together.

This test is on the Australian Clubman GT, effectively a Cooper S in Clubman clothes.

Clubman GT Crash Test 1.jpg

Clubman GT Crash Test 2.jpg

Clubman GT Crash Test 3.jpg

Clubman GT Crash Test 4.jpg

Clubman GT Crash Test 5.jpg

[Tim]

When I crash tested my Moke I'm pleased to be able to report that its steering wheel did the same thing. It broke my thumb, but not my chest or face. Despite that I would not like to do it again.

Tim

[mk1]

When Adam had his big crash at harewood, he smashed the visor of his helmet on the steering wheel, which was bend like a banana afterwards. Thankfully, it was a full face helmet so no "real" damage was done. After that, I retired my open face helmet!!

[UHR850]

[UHR850]

Oeps

[mab01uk]

When Adam had his big crash at harewood, he smashed the visor of his helmet on the steering wheel, which was bend like a banana afterwards. Thankfully, it was a full face helmet so no "real" damage was done. After that, I retired my open face helmet!!

Very wise Mark, when Chris Tyrrell was racing his Metro in the 1980's he insisted on using the open face helmet he had always used in Mini Seven, when most other drivers had switched to full face helmets. My brother Steve (Chris's race mechanic at the time) was one of the first on the scene when Chris had his big accident in the Metro Challenge at Silverstone. Chris had hit the steering wheel hard despite full harness belts and Steve thought he was a goner.....Chris survived but had major surgery as a result including a metal plate fitted in his skull and long term problems, including double vision which made it very difficult for him to get back his competition licence, although with determination he did manage to pass the medical and get it back in the end.
Needless to say Steve always wore a full face helmet from then on, just a shame the HANS Device was not worn by many Mini Miglia drivers back when Steve had his accident at Silverstone or he might still be here today....

[mk1]

I find it a bit ghoulish posting photos of smashed cars, even if years ago you have no idea if anyone died or was seriously injured, sorry to be a pita but I don't find it helps the discussion.

I agree with Robin, I think we have seen enough horrendous photos of crashed Minis now. Thanks.

[mk1]

After Adam's crash, we also both started wearing a HANS too.

[mab01uk]

This is probably the nearest the Mini got to an NCAP test:-

1961-65 British Pathe Film of the BMC Mini and 1100 crashing into a concrete block at 25, 30 and 38 miles per hour.
"Ever wondered what would happen if you crashed your classic into a massive concrete block? Wonder no more – it's all in this BMC crash test video.
It covers the Mini, 1100 (3:30), Landcrab (6:25) and MGB (9:30)."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PVTI4tXHGYE

[Peter Laidler]

White car above, SK? (SKD? police monotone) looks like a twin carb Cooper or 'S'.