The recent post that showed an horrific collision involving a Mini with the front virtually destroyed reminded me of the crash tests that were done on Australian BMC vehicles prior to full manufacture. Below are some from a full set of a Clubman GT showing a frontal impact. I think it has held up fairly well with the passenger compartment still in good shape. Note the way the firewall is pushed back and the steering column pivots up, and doesn't spear into the driver's chest as many uninformed people often suggest.

It's a shame a new GT was written off in the test but of course it was all in a good cause.

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ex-NSW Police 1970 MK II Cooper S
VMCI #43

Maybe a broken leg from the pedals but quite good. i'd say 3 stars by todays standards. 10 years ago 70% weren't even that. Any idea what speed this is at?

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Why Drink And Drive When You Can Smoke Dope And Fly!?

No, but I'll try to find out.

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ex-NSW Police 1970 MK II Cooper S
VMCI #43

maybe 30kph - not fast at all

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did I tell you that I won a trophy?

I would say 30mph comparing it to this BMC film at the 2min25sec mark. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PVTI4tXHGYE
I would hate to have a head-on at more that 40mph.

I had one with a tree at 60MPH in 1965, and I'm still here. Luckily the gum tree (smallish) bent back and absorbed much of the energy.

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DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank @7000+, 45 Dellorto, RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R. Going harder with Peak ignition system fitted.

Good pics i see the top rad hose has a pattern on it like the brake hoses had
I think you can still get that sort of hose clamps to

its got the crumple zone holes in the inner guards too. So its a very late GT (like 73ish model)...

Thankyou for sharing Doug.

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Fantastic source of info as always Doug.

Looking at things GT .. the engine steady near the radiator haven't seen that on a GT before .... another sign of late build I presume..
Interesting - has standard style gearknob not "Clubman" or GT type ..

My accident in my first clubman resulted in very similar damage. Dislocated right knee cap and tore the muscle over the knee from the right leg on the brakes and a fractured sternum from the steering wheel, all good fun!!!! Approx speed 60km/hr at impact

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SPO41 Mk2 Cooper S very original
1993 R32 Nissan Skyline GTR

Does it have a 4 way breather too?

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Have a Nice Day.
If already having a nice day please disregard.

73ish id say by the ingition switch on steering coloum

Since there's been a bit of interest in seeing those photos, here's another that shows what it looks like from underneath. The subframe has been painted white, presumably to provide a clearer photographic image of the result of the impact. Note the compression of the floor with the foot-wells now above the rear of the subframe, the bent tie-rods and what appears to be a fracture of the remote gear-change housing near the gear-stick.

Thankfully the plastic breather bung for the electric fuel pump appears to have made it through unscathed.

The other photos in the series are side and angled views that don't add much to the existing views.

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ex-NSW Police 1970 MK II Cooper S
VMCI #43

I'm glad I wasn't in it.

Tim

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1951 Morris Commercial J Type Van
1955 BSA C11G
1961 Morris Mini Traveller
1969 Triumph TR6R
1977 Leyland Moke Californian

All the 72 cars had the switch on the column too.

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Well I giggled.