The
Vanguard's Contribution to saving thousands of lives
Phase II
Vanguard sacrificed in the interests of saving lives
This interesting set
of Photographs were taken at MIRA, the Motor Industries Research
Association proving grounds, probably in the mid and late fifties.
The Shot above shows
the result of crashing a remotely controlled Phase II Vanguard,
number 63, into a wire retaining barrier. Though the car is
relatively undamaged, it appears that this type of barrier was not
adopted for use on our roads. Another shot of this car is shown
before it is taken away
The next shot,
above, shows another Phase II Vanguard, number 64, being used to
test prototype Armco, under the gaze of film cameras on the pole
and no doubt on the scaffolding towers. I think this test must
have been at higher speed and the car has certainly moved well off
the carriageway. If this had been a central reservation barrier,
there could have been severe damage to cars and occupants
travelling in the opposite direction. I suspect that the test
resulted in the supporting posts being subsequently strengthened
somewhat, or the spacing being reduced to contain the car more
effectively in its own carriageway.
The final shot,
above, is of an Ensign Estate, probably taken sometime later,
sitting in a ditch. It isn't apparent what barrier was used in
this test but it clearly didn't contain the car. It
certainly looks like it has gone through the barrier and then
rolled, The crash test dummy doesn't look too happy! Back to the
drawing board with this one?
So there you have
it. At least three of our cars are seen making a valuable
contribution to determining what crash barriers should be used on
our Motorways and Trunk roads. I wouldn't like to hazard a guess
at the numbers of lives these barriers have saved over the years,
but we should be pleased at the contribution that these Standards
made.
The MIRA crash tests
will be the theme of the Club's stand at the NEC Classic Motor
Show in November and the stand will include examples of the cars
used in the Tests. Come along and see our display. More details of
the event and how to buy cut-price advance tickets are here
My thanks go to
Brian Birch for contributing these photos to the website. If you
have more photos like this or more information about crash barrier
testing please share it with us. Just click here
I am aware that there are other cars
and information that could be added to this site to make it more comprehensive, so if you
have material and photographs, please let me know. Please send me, Phil Homer, a
message at: Phil Homer
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