Anyone have information about how Series 3s perform in accidents? Any documented history?

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joerowelll

joerowelll

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Anyone have information about how Series 3s perform in accidents? Any documented history?
I am interested to find out how the bulky chassis, and lack of substantial A pillars stacks up, also how easily they roll?
 
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:)
 
First hand experience unfortunately. This was a closing speed of maybe 25 or 30mph. The indentation is the shape of a Mercedes A class. The A class was an obvious write-off. So was the series. The front axle was slightly bent, the right dumb iron took the brunt and kinked severely above the axle. What really put the kybosh on rebuilding was that before the right rail kinked it had already pushed the chassis out of square. The right end of the back crossmember had emerged from under the tub by about 10mm. I never knew whether it was a recent re-chassis when I bought it but it was shiny and immaculate.

Edit. Having seen @lynall's post below. The passenger compartment was untouched. You will win in an accident with a modern car because the ladder chassis is way stronger than a steel monocoque.

I'll say it again though, this was a perfect condition chassis, and when I was looking for a series it was my main interest. A friend had a big accident in a classic Merc, and having looked at the remains it decided me that I'd never own anything with the possibility of concealed rust. This one came along, and a year or so later I was pretty pleased with my decision. (It's also why I changed the chassis on my current one, with a bit of patching it would have sailed through MoT's).

1714342243386.png
 
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I reckon the car would fare well, occupants less so.

Not sure if it was on this forum or the another forum where a guy had ran his 90 off the side of a bridge or cliff, and the car still looked like a 90 should.
 
Figures show [ forget where I saw them ] that Series and Defenders have one of the lowest level of fatal and serious injury numbers for accidents on the road. It is just not the strong chassis but the fact it is not a fast vehicle and is generally not driven like a hot hatch by owners.
Been in a couple of bumps in my Ninety. A Volvo estate pulled out in front of me and the impact in its side removed the rear axle, Had my youngest daughter in her baby seat [ a basic plastic thing nothing like todays baby seat ] No injury to baby, wife or self. Landy was repaired, bumper, wings and steering components. [sub 25mph contact.
Another coming together was in ice snow conditions. The speed was low however the bump was with my neighbour who was in another Ninety! Result was much like the pic above. Both landy's were fixed.
Saw a 2a that had head on with a bus, both drivers had leg injury's and recovered. Recon that in just about any car of the time [70's] Series driver would not have survived.
A series is not easy to roll, low center of gravity [ have been over a good few times on 4X4 Trials where the limits are pushed, even in just a plain hard top. All low speed stuff.] If worried internal roll bars are available.
Some complain of no crumple zones with a Landy Others say Landy's just use the other vehicles crumple zones. Works most of the time I recon but not when other vehicle is a Landy. :)
 
lynall said:
I reckon the car would fare well, occupants less so.

Not sure if it was on this forum or the another forum where a guy had ran his 90 off the side of a bridge or cliff, and the car still looked like a 90 should.
Click to expand...
Just dinky size right.....
 
A young lad pulled out in front of me once in my 04 Defender and despite trying my best I couldn't completely avoid him. The impact bent my steering rod and dented a wing a bit. I was fine as was my son who was in a child seat on the passenger seat. The first copper on scene said it was a good job I was in a 'decent car.' The other car looked like it had rolled repeatedly down a sea cliff, it was completely mashed to bits and had spun across the road. I saw an older Defender in an accident on a dual carriageway a couple of weeks ago. The cab was flattened but that might have been due to Firefighters cutting, I don't know. I do know the driver and passenger weren't seriously injured. Not series IIIs I know, but I think it's true the other vehicle takes the brunt on impact.
 
When it comes to roll over I think the series 2/2a [ in good nick ] was better. The steel screen frame is very strong and bolted to the bulkhead. Back then it was considered fine for 4x4 trials to just have the screen up and nothing else. Things changed with the series 3 and different screen mount but as part of the roof structure still very strong.
 
The biggest issue with earlier Series models were the seatbelts which had the shoulder strap secured to a fixing behind the top of the front seats.
In a head on collision the belt would compress downwards resulting in serious shoulder injuries.
Later hard top models had the shoulder strap secured much higher, on the B pillar. Better job..
 
Never had a bad shunt in any of my 5 series LR's owned in the distant past, but just after I had sold my last RRC to my friend he did experience a head-on with a Renault Clio driven by a moron. Such was the impact that the front tow ring of the RR went through the Clio's windshield as the rest of the car went underneath.
Frog car was taken away totalled & the moron on blue lights. RR was written off simply because it was an old car & subsequently rated BER, but the damage was largely front wing & bumper; still totally driveable but not C&U compliant due to the smashed lights.
 
No doubt the ladder chassis is superior for any front or rear impact but I wouldn't want to be t-boned by any size car whilst sitting in my S3. The chassis rails aren't going to do anything and the outriggers will likely just pierce a radiator.
 
WoodyO said:
No doubt the ladder chassis is superior for any front or rear impact but I wouldn't want to be t-boned by any size car whilst sitting in my S3. The chassis rails aren't going to do anything and the outriggers will likely just pierce a radiator.
Click to expand...
Same with a (previous model) Defender.
 
WoodyO said:
No doubt the ladder chassis is superior for any front or rear impact but I wouldn't want to be t-boned by any size car whilst sitting in my S3. The chassis rails aren't going to do anything and the outriggers will likely just pierce a radiator.
Click to expand...
My old man was waved out of our farm track by the old chap at the road end. He was a pain to be honest but ment well.
On this occasion a mate of mine was charging round the blind bend in his go faster cavalier. Hit the SWB square in the drivers side right between the wheels. He probably managed to hit the brakes but by the look of how far up the road bits of his Vauxhall ended up he was moving some.
My old man jumped out, pulled the ally sill straight and carried on to work. 😁
 
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