1979 Volvo 244 Crash Test

NOTE: It is possible that this test was a "fluke". The 1982 Volvo 240, of the same body design (Volvo 240, 1975-1993 model years) scored a borderline 4/5 star rating. Research tests conducted at 45 mph - 65 percent more kinetic energy - showed similar results to this 35 mph test despite the increase in impact severity. 

I currently do not know whether this test is a fluke or indicative of the actual protection that this vehicle offers its occupants. I make no judgment on the matter, as both scenarios are entirely possible.

http://www.brickboard.com/RWD/volvo/366019/220/240/260/280/remember_test.html
http://forums.swedespeed.com/showthread.php?33321-2005-NHTSA-side-crash-tests-how-is-volvo-going-to-address-airbag-issue

It has been claimed that the poor score in this test was due to a seat adjustment failure.

Driver HIC: 1,782
Driver Chest G: 52 G's
Passenger HIC: 1,889
Passenger Chest G: 61 G's

Severe Injury Risk: 81% Driver, 87% Passenger

1 Star Driver
1 Star Passenger

Test Date: Tuesday, September 18, 1979

1980 Subaru GF Crash Test

Driver HIC: 1,101
Driver Chest G: 72 G's
Passenger HIC: 2,858
Passenger Chest G: 94 G's

Severe Injury Risk: 51% Driver, 100% Passenger

1 Star Driver
1 Star Passenger

Test Date: Tuesday, June 3, 1980

1980 Datsun 310 Crash Test

Driver HIC: 1,135
Driver Chest G: 68 G's
Passenger HIC: 2,024
Passenger Chest G's: 108 G's (worst in NHTSA history)

Severe Injury Risk: 49% Driver, 99% Passenger

1 Star Driver
1 Star Passenger

Test Date: Friday, May 16, 1980

Update on gap-filling

There are eight vehicles missing from the 1979 test cycle - I unearthed five more during a comprehensive search of the NHTSA database.

I made an error during the original tabulation of the tests in May 2012 and omitted five tests. I had only searched the portion of the 1979 tests that I thought had new car assessment tests (those posted here) as opposed to research tests often conducted on used 1979 cars in the 1980s. Since the new car assessment tests normally had lower test numbers (e.g. 100 instead of 600) I ended my search, omitting some tests that, for one reason or another, got higher numbered tests. The numbering system during those days (13 years before I was born) is something I still have not figured out, other than that earlier tests are typically lower numbered than later tests. This is a general rule, but not always the case. For instance, test 423 was conducted on June 28, 1979, before test 219 (August 27, 1980). As of the post time, I do have results available for six of the eight tests and will be posting them soon.

Both 1980 tests with missing chest data now have that data and are also to be posted shortly.

Some tests missing from 1979 and 1980 posts - working on "filling in the gaps"

There were three omissions from my 1980 NHTSA Crash Tests I posted that I am currently aware of. Two of the 1980 tests were missing chest injury data, so the injury calculation would be incomplete. I am also missing 4 1979 crash tests, two due to missing chest data and two due to missing data altogether.

One of the 1980 tests I have had the injury information for all along, but just forgot to post it in the original July 20, 2012 post. This test - the 1980 Mercedes 240 D - is in the previous post posted at 2:03 am Central Standard Time, December 17, 2013.

I will work on getting the missing data for the other six missing crash tests. Expect to see some or all of them posted when I find the data and do the injury risk calculations.

1980 Mercedes 240 D Crash Test

Driver HIC: 1,301
Driver Chest G: 54 G's
Passenger HIC: 1,363
Passenger Chest G's: 44 G's

Severe Injury Risk: 48% Driver, 49% Passenger

1 Star Driver
1 Star Passenger

Test Date: Friday, June 20, 1980

1983 Plymouth Reliant NHTSA Crash Test

Driver HIC: 546
Driver Chest G: 55 G's
Passenger HIC: 641
Passenger Chest G: 39 G's

Severe Injury Risk: 19% Driver, 10% Passenger

4 Stars Driver
5 Stars Passenger

Test Date: Wednesday, April 27, 1983