Quote:
The concern I would have with an older car is safety, not reliability. If you compare the strength of the body shell on my Rover 75 to a dolly, the Rover would go through the dolly like it was a wet paperbag. Virtually every car on the road with you will be heavier and stronger. A modern car will treat a classic car like it is an additional crumplezone.
Cleverusername has offered his opinion. My own experience is that the Dolomite shell is a lot stronger, and safer, than he believes.
A large commercial vehicle ran into the rear of my car recently when I had stopped at the traffic lights. The car has sustained some damage which will require a panel beater to pull the rear end back to its original shape. It survived the accident remarkably well and is testament to the sound design and the clever use of the materials from which it was constructed at the time.
I am relieved that the car did not incorporate any of the modern safety features, such as air bags for they would have discharged, destroying the interior of the car and my hearing as well.
I am and will continue to use my Dolomite as a daily driver for I believe it to be a safer car to be in than anything constructed since that time. The only concession which I made during the restoration of the car was to fit the most up-to-date safety belts now available.
Robert