Anyone had an accident in 71-74 Dodge Charger?

Jsmooth · Oct 29, 2020

I have 74 Charger and the car feels very solid, almost like cage around the driver with a massive long hood. I have seen people in accidents at high speeds just walk away in these cars. But all you read online is that these older cars were not safe, no air bags, no modern steal frames to absorb the blow etc. Has anyone been in accident over 30 mph in a Charger and tell us how it felt? Did you feel more of the impact then on a new car? Thanks!

Michael_ · Oct 29, 2020

Just dont hit a wall at 100mph

1960-1970%2BDodge%2BCharger%2BChrash%2BTest%2B-%2B247Autoholic%2BBlog.jpg

Kern Dog · Oct 29, 2020

The new cars are designed to crumple at the ends to preserve the passenger compartment. They actually have engineered weak points to absorb crash energy.
Old cars did not have "crumple zones" . The whole car was designed to resist crumpling. This means that during an impact, the car didn't crush as much. The downside is that the occupants sometimes took the impact as much as the car did. Modern 3 point seat belts and collapsible steering columns were a great addition. The '73 and later cars, including your Charger had both.
Side impact on an old car isn't as safe as a new one but the chances of getting into an accident in any car is pretty low.
I can see that you are worried about this car with the posts you have made recently.
The exhaust won't kill anyone and the car will be fine. Disc brakes, seat belts and a skilled, sober driver will suit you well.

67charger383 · Oct 29, 2020

just get a harness bar and headrests if you are really paranoid about it. (like this one: http://www.cachassisworks.com/p-3284-harness-bar-kit-dual-clevis.aspx It has 2 brackets and a removeable bar)

Most likely your charger would be fine in a medium speed crash and the only thing you have to worry about is whiplash and having insurance to pay for the plastic car it ran into. '74s have safety glass, headrests, collapsible steering columns and 5mph bumpers so I wouldn't worry if I was you.

1 Wild R/T · Oct 29, 2020

I've always made a point of not getting into wrecks... Over half a million miles in assorted vintage Mopars & one wreck... Three stitches... I've gotten hurt worse riding a bike....

451Mopar · Oct 29, 2020

67charger383 said:
just get a harness bar and headrests if you are really paranoid about it. (like this one: http://www.cachassisworks.com/p-3284-harness-bar-kit-dual-clevis.aspx It has 2 brackets and a removeable bar)

Most likely your charger would be fine in a medium speed crash and the only thing you have to worry about is whiplash and having insurance to pay for the plastic car it ran into. '74s have safety glass, headrests, collapsible steering columns and 5mph bumpers so I wouldn't worry if I was you.

Also the side impact reinforced doors, and 3-point seat belts. not sure if the isolated K-member design makes a difference in a crash?

ODZKing · Oct 29, 2020

Back in the day I had a new 73/318 Charger. Young stupid kid not paying attention, I had several smacks to the front. I can't speak for 71-2 but 73 was like a tank.
In fact I hit one fellow with a small car tailgating and not paying attention, and wasted his tail end including his bumper falling off. There was no damage to the 73, in fact we swapped info and the fellow never got back to me?!?!?!
But yeah, they were built well. Now, how they are in a massive collision, can't speak to that.

moparsaver · Oct 29, 2020

Michael_ said:
Just dont hit a wall at 100mph

View attachment 1020312

tnfastback · Oct 29, 2020

Michael_ said:
Just dont hit a wall at 100mph

View attachment 1020312

That will Buff Out

Bb70charger500 · Oct 29, 2020

I got hit in my 74 guy shot over 3 lanes into side of my car so a side swipe kinda but a good hit. It pushed me another two lanes
I was fine my car was fine scratched my primer up . The car that hit me was crumpled up good was a late 90's Buick

But high speed hits are not a good thing in these cars they don't crumple like newer cars

67charger383 · Oct 29, 2020

tnfastback said:
That will Buff Out

crazy there's people rebuilding crushed 68-70 chargers
https://moparconnectionmagazine.com/gallery-stephens-performance-69-daytona-brought-back-to-life/

and then there's methheads who crush them on purpose:

Nacho-RT74 · Oct 29, 2020

I rearended a VW Gol 1992 on a curve it was stopped... I just got a paint chip off my hood ( the middle point ) and one of the fender to bumper brackets got loosen and bumper slided back a bit. The VW Gol got the unibody bent from rear seat to rear. The owner of the VW was a friend of mine and he was concious was its fault.

speed, around 20-25 mph

chargermll · Oct 29, 2020

I had a 73 Charger years ago. I rear ended a Plymouth Reliant. I hit him hard enough that he bumped into a Subaru station wagon. I think I hit the Plymouth at about 25 MPH. I pretty much caved in the back of his car. I had a small crack in my grill that was easily glued back together.

Jsmooth · Oct 29, 2020

chargermll said:
I had a 73 Charger years ago. I rear ended a Plymouth Reliant. I hit him hard enough that he bumped into a Subaru station wagon. I think I hit the Plymouth at about 25 MPH. I pretty much caved in the back of his car. I had a small crack in my grill that was easily glued back together.

Did you feel the impact or was like little jolt?

Kern Dog · Oct 29, 2020

You could always wear a helmet and a mouth guard.....
Seriously, you are overthinking this. I suspect that you were not raised by parents that were car enthusiasts. I was. My first car was a '69 Dart. The year was 1982. It was a 13 year old car and the new cars of the day were built in a similar way.
Yeah, crash worthiness has changed since 1974 but too many people have been scared into believing that they need a safer new car. Fear is a great sales tool. Fear is what encourages people to pay higher taxes, to wear masks, to stay home, to buy medications and yes....to buy guns for protection.
I bought guns for recreation and protection.
The people that get injured are often the ones that didn't wear seat belts, were distracted, victims of a highly unusual freak occurrence or a combination of those things.
You can die in a new car if the above conditions are met.

chargermll · Oct 30, 2020

Jsmooth said:
Did you feel the impact or was like little jolt?

This happened back in 1993 and I was 18 at the time. The best I can remember is that I felt the impact but it was very minor.I was not wearing a seat belt and never came close to flying forward. I also had those bumperettes up front that probably helped with that. What I do remember is the loud hollow thud sound when I made contact with the other car, the guys head flying back, and me thinking "oh sh*t, my dad is gonna kill me."

71dodgechargerrt · Oct 30, 2020

Dodge Monaco vs Charger 1984.

Kern Dog · Oct 30, 2020

Jsmooth · Oct 30, 2020

Kern Dog said:
View attachment 1020867

But some didn't, that's the issue. My first car was a 88 Toyota Tercel, now with what I know about cars today I would never get in to a 88 Tercel. If I ever had an accident in that car I would not be here, they are tin cans that explode on impact. Nothing wrong with being careful, and I feel like a 1974 Charger is much safer then any if not most 80's-90's Japanese cars.

Kern Dog · Oct 30, 2020

Man, you worry waaaay too much.

Anyone had an accident in 71-74 Dodge Charger?

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