Reconciling driving a classic with potential instant death!?
Discussion
Hi all,
I keep getting drawn to getting a classic, fancy an Elan or MGA, maybe classic Fiat 500 or something similar - but the visceral enjoyment of driving anything ancient is just so much more rewarding than anything modern...
Anyway, why I keep hesitating is that I keep struggling with the risk factor. I have a 5 year old daughter, and 3 year old son - the prospect of getting killed by a SUV simply running over the tiny classic without even having to engage the locking diffs is a bit of a concern.
For example, there was an article a while back about a chap being killed in London driving a MGB - he was stationary in traffic and hit up the back by a black cab - the car folded in half and he was hovis'd. No amount of "active" safety would have saved him here.
So, how do you wall reconcile driving a classic with the inherent risk? Just ignore it? Embrace as part of the reward? Something else?
Cheers,
Mark
I keep getting drawn to getting a classic, fancy an Elan or MGA, maybe classic Fiat 500 or something similar - but the visceral enjoyment of driving anything ancient is just so much more rewarding than anything modern...
Anyway, why I keep hesitating is that I keep struggling with the risk factor. I have a 5 year old daughter, and 3 year old son - the prospect of getting killed by a SUV simply running over the tiny classic without even having to engage the locking diffs is a bit of a concern.
For example, there was an article a while back about a chap being killed in London driving a MGB - he was stationary in traffic and hit up the back by a black cab - the car folded in half and he was hovis'd. No amount of "active" safety would have saved him here.
So, how do you wall reconcile driving a classic with the inherent risk? Just ignore it? Embrace as part of the reward? Something else?
Cheers,
Mark
Interesting. I've never really thought about it. There are so many ways you can go, and in a car - even a modern, so called "5 star" rated one, it doesn't take a huge amount.
You could ask how anyone, ever, gets on a Motorcycle or pushbike...
We just do. Drive defensively perhaps, or avoid London :P
My classic is an A to A car; so I would tend (if it were road worthy.. typical of a classic!) to go out for a drive, then return it to the garage. So the likely hood of being run over by an SUV is less likely, but even a deer could end the fun.
You could ask how anyone, ever, gets on a Motorcycle or pushbike...
We just do. Drive defensively perhaps, or avoid London :P
My classic is an A to A car; so I would tend (if it were road worthy.. typical of a classic!) to go out for a drive, then return it to the garage. So the likely hood of being run over by an SUV is less likely, but even a deer could end the fun.
Just do it - we live once + we all die once. When that happens ain't worth worrying about. s
t happens everyday.
In 1973 I got thrown out of my series 2 Lotus 7, If I'd been wearing seatbelts or if my car had had a roll bar like all those new Caterhams have - I'd have been killed, the car rolled down a steep grassy bank and eventually destryord itself against a large Tree, if I'd been wearing a seatbelt I'd have been killed - Oh well that taught me that seat belts and roll bars are not for me. for years I had a picture of the car smashed up against the tree in my office Just to remind me NOT to wear a seatbelt!!!!!
Statistically Mr Plod will tell you I'd have had more chance with a seatbelt, but hey Here I am telling you this story. You work it out it's your life enjoy it
t happens everyday.In 1973 I got thrown out of my series 2 Lotus 7, If I'd been wearing seatbelts or if my car had had a roll bar like all those new Caterhams have - I'd have been killed, the car rolled down a steep grassy bank and eventually destryord itself against a large Tree, if I'd been wearing a seatbelt I'd have been killed - Oh well that taught me that seat belts and roll bars are not for me. for years I had a picture of the car smashed up against the tree in my office Just to remind me NOT to wear a seatbelt!!!!!
Statistically Mr Plod will tell you I'd have had more chance with a seatbelt, but hey Here I am telling you this story. You work it out it's your life enjoy it
Interesting thoughts about a pushbike or motorbike... Very true.
The thing with modern cars is that the risk is waaaaay lower - sadly in a Lotus Elan side impact protection is offered by your kidneys... No headrests can snap your neck in the smallest of shunts etc. Throw in crumple zones, airbags, seatbelt pre-tensioners and the fact is, despite the few times being thrown free is a bonus, they are safer.
Even modern convertibles are a lot safer when rolling over. But all of this is making me think Lotus Elise simply because they are really safe in a crash - there've been some big shunts with everyone walking away.
I know you say live your life, but the wee clan is a big part of it hence the current risk aversion, I'd have certainly not given it a second thought without kids on the scene...
The thing with modern cars is that the risk is waaaaay lower - sadly in a Lotus Elan side impact protection is offered by your kidneys... No headrests can snap your neck in the smallest of shunts etc. Throw in crumple zones, airbags, seatbelt pre-tensioners and the fact is, despite the few times being thrown free is a bonus, they are safer.
Even modern convertibles are a lot safer when rolling over. But all of this is making me think Lotus Elise simply because they are really safe in a crash - there've been some big shunts with everyone walking away.
I know you say live your life, but the wee clan is a big part of it hence the current risk aversion, I'd have certainly not given it a second thought without kids on the scene...
A large SUV hitting any sensible sized car at speed is likely to end badly for the sensible driver.
My classic convertible may be only 20yo and has 2 airbags but they're unlikely to be much use if a "big one" occurs.
I don't think about it and enjoy old cars while I still can.
Going by a pic of a Disco that pulled out on a Ferrari I saw on here last week ,the SUV is also likely to fall over in the impact.
My classic convertible may be only 20yo and has 2 airbags but they're unlikely to be much use if a "big one" occurs.
I don't think about it and enjoy old cars while I still can.
Going by a pic of a Disco that pulled out on a Ferrari I saw on here last week ,the SUV is also likely to fall over in the impact.
What he said - just do it, otherwise you will end up in your armchair wishing for all the things you might have done. Sad as the MGB story is, for all we know it may have been a bit rusty and just folded up in the impact, you can't run your life on the basis of what happened to others. I'm 73 and still enjoying my VX220, survived several years racing and rallying and thousands of miles in Jaguar D types when I worked for Lynx Engineering, now I can bore my grandchildren endlessly, great memories, definitely JUST DO IT!!!!
If you're concerned about crashability, I wouldn't consider an original Elan, which employs organic crumple zones. I love mine to bits but do feel quite vulnerable driving it, as they are tiny compared to modern cars. Maybe the later M100 Elan would be a better compromise, if you don't mind FWD?
RemarkLima said:
Interesting thoughts about a pushbike or motorbike... Very true.
The thing with modern cars is that the risk is waaaaay lower - sadly in a Lotus Elan side impact protection is offered by your kidneys... No headrests can snap your neck in the smallest of shunts etc. Throw in crumple zones, airbags, seatbelt pre-tensioners and the fact is, despite the few times being thrown free is a bonus, they are safer.
Even modern convertibles are a lot safer when rolling over. But all of this is making me think Lotus Elise simply because they are really safe in a crash - there've been some big shunts with everyone walking away.
I know you say live your life, but the wee clan is a big part of it hence the current risk aversion, I'd have certainly not given it a second thought without kids on the scene...
Do you not see a problem with saying you want to take risks (and probably have all your life) but your kids have to wrapped in cotton wool? Before you know it you will be stopping them riding a bike because they might fall off or stopping them going to the park because you are worried what might happen.The thing with modern cars is that the risk is waaaaay lower - sadly in a Lotus Elan side impact protection is offered by your kidneys... No headrests can snap your neck in the smallest of shunts etc. Throw in crumple zones, airbags, seatbelt pre-tensioners and the fact is, despite the few times being thrown free is a bonus, they are safer.
Even modern convertibles are a lot safer when rolling over. But all of this is making me think Lotus Elise simply because they are really safe in a crash - there've been some big shunts with everyone walking away.
I know you say live your life, but the wee clan is a big part of it hence the current risk aversion, I'd have certainly not given it a second thought without kids on the scene...
Grumbly said:
If you're concerned about crashability, I wouldn't consider an original Elan, which employs organic crumple zones. I love mine to bits but do feel quite vulnerable driving it, as they are tiny compared to modern cars. Maybe the later M100 Elan would be a better compromise, if you don't mind FWD?
I'm probably partially feeling about our wedding car, an Austin Healy Sprite - driven for 4 hours across New Zealand being chased down by logging truck whilst absolutely flat out, zero brakes and feeling very vulnerable... That said, once in Tauranga or Taupo it was absolutely awesome buzzing around...brman said:
Do you not see a problem with saying you want to take risks (and probably have all your life) but your kids have to wrapped in cotton wool? Before you know it you will be stopping them riding a bike because they might fall off or stopping them going to the park because you are worried what might happen.
I'm not saying that at all, I want them to take the risks I did when young - I'd just like to be around to see them take those risks 
So more about me not killing myself over something ultimately trivial, then us all missing out... So the risk aversion is only for me. I've only mentioned kids to give some context around why I'm feeling risk averse... Hence asking the question really, am I just weird in caring about this stuff? Sounds like it!!I've had my classic since my youngest child was 7, and the she is now 42. It hasn't got seat belts, I've had two accidents in it, and I am still alive after 120,000 miles at the wheel. Just get life assurance and enjoy yourself. I don't think classic car ownership will increase the premiums.
Riley Blue said:
aeropilot said:
RemarkLima said:
Just ignore it?
Yep 
To be fair, taking your kids out in a car that is more likely to fare worse in a crash than a modern SUV (for example) is a consideration only the OP can answer (don't have or want kids so I can't comment on the 'must protect the wee ones' instinct that it must be natural for parents to have).
Not having a classic car because of a small risk of death is a very limiting way to look at life.
You can easily be killed through no fault of your own riding a bicycle, or a motorbike, or walking along a pavement, or not doing enough exercise, or doing too much, or drinking alcohol, or eating chocolate, or animal fat, or not eating anything. These days sadly you can be killed enjoying a night out or a day out in your favourite city by being in the wrong place at the wrong time. I hear quite a few people just die for no apparent reason due to an inherent failing in their body they weren't aware of.
Trying to work out ways to avoid death is not a healthy way to spend your time alive.
Go for an Elan - they are fantastic little cars. You will feel vulnerable in today's traffic, but that will heighten your concentration and hopefully keep you out of trouble..
S..
Hi
I have two kids, currently 4 and 8 years old. I won't say safety is not a consideration because it is. But I find when driving a classic you are acutely aware of its safety foibles, especially when I am normally cocooned in a 3 series coupe. (other drivers are the concern though....)
I had no qualms taking my daughter out in my 1991 MX-5 at six months old with the roof off. We now have a 1981 VW T25 camper which we use regularly - we put the kids in the safer seats (one rear facing, the other up front with a three point belt. On Monday we are off to France for a couple of weeks in it. My biggest fear is whether the van breaks down or not!
I don't quite know why I am saying all this, other than maybe to give you another perspective. The fact when I was born, I was slung in the back of Mini loose in a carrycot is irrelevant because a) I am still here and b) traffic conditions and speed were very different back then......
As other have said, it comes down to your view on the risks involved......
Mike
I have two kids, currently 4 and 8 years old. I won't say safety is not a consideration because it is. But I find when driving a classic you are acutely aware of its safety foibles, especially when I am normally cocooned in a 3 series coupe. (other drivers are the concern though....)
I had no qualms taking my daughter out in my 1991 MX-5 at six months old with the roof off. We now have a 1981 VW T25 camper which we use regularly - we put the kids in the safer seats (one rear facing, the other up front with a three point belt. On Monday we are off to France for a couple of weeks in it. My biggest fear is whether the van breaks down or not!
I don't quite know why I am saying all this, other than maybe to give you another perspective. The fact when I was born, I was slung in the back of Mini loose in a carrycot is irrelevant because a) I am still here and b) traffic conditions and speed were very different back then......
As other have said, it comes down to your view on the risks involved......
Mike
sparkey said:
Trying to work out ways to avoid death is not a healthy way to spend your time alive.
Agreed as you are bound to lose eventually!I think you would find that most road traffic casualties were in modern vehicles despite air bags, crumple zones, seat belts etc.
Beware relying on statistics however, as in (e.g.) because more people die in hospitals than in pubs you should stay in the pub and avoid going near a hospital.
The sheer joy that my now 7 & 9 year-olds have had with classics over their lives, far outweighs the small risk.
I can't say it doesn't cross my mind and I do drive a bit more defensively, especially in the Mini or in my father's Sprite when they're with me but I wouldn't deny them the experience for the world.
I can't say it doesn't cross my mind and I do drive a bit more defensively, especially in the Mini or in my father's Sprite when they're with me but I wouldn't deny them the experience for the world.
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