Ever wondered how safe a Carver is?

[Tim Hodgetts]

People would often ask how safe a Carver was. After all, its small with a fibre glass shell. How safe could it be?

There hasn't been too many accidents with the Carver so far, but so far the common factor has been that they are incredibly crash resistant! The fibre glass shell covers a steel skeleton, as you can see from the VV website illustrations. So, think of a small stocky guy with short limbs and muscles in a fight with a very tall lanky guy and not much in the way of muscles. The short guy will usually win because his limbs are much less resistant to being broken and the musclature covering them provides extra protection. That is how the Carver is...really tough and resilient and a better vehicle to be in, should you crash, than huge MPV's with acres of space inside.

[Keldros]

Wow, thanks for that info, Tim, I can't believe I missed this post earlier! I tried looking over the Carver website, but I couldn't find a lot of info on its safety features other than the mention of seat belts in the specs. Also looking at interior shots, it didn't look likely that it had an airbag system, though I could be wrong on that. Would it be safe to say that the V1 with all of its safety features will likely be even more safe than the Carver was?

Also, is there anywhere that crash data or pics are available on the Carver? Showing the survivability from them could go a long way toward helping convince the public of the V1's crashworthiness.

[MVRacing]

Keldros,
Somewhere on this site are videos of the Carver crash test...try the search. No air bags, at least in the original Carver, so the V1 should be MUCH safer.

[Keldros]

Hmm, are you sure on that, MVRacing? I did a number of searches and the only thing I kept coming up with were the crash tests done with the BMW "Clever" concept vehicle. I haven't been able to find anything on crashes with the Carver, though I suppose it would come out slightly better than the Clever in crashes.

[CelticFlyer]

My first thought when reading the title of this post was "It's gotta be safer than a motorcycle!" =y:

I'm also reassured by the fact that Ian and Howard are interested in giving it the same type of safety technology that ordinary cars have.

And as everyone knows, a smaller vehicle makes a smaller target. Whether it's the Carver or the V1, they're both agile little things! ;)

[NortonF1]

You can find some pictures of my crashed Carver One here:

http://flytheroadclub.com/forums/showthread.php?t=488

[rogwild]

It looks like it (and the driver) survived the 'slow speed roll-over' pretty well with only minor damage. But it is not a very good indication of how it would handle a front or side impact (as in standard crash testing) at higher speeds. It does appear that the passenger compartment did retain its shape during the 'roll-over' so the basic design seems rather sturdy. Thanks again for sharing the photos.

[carverconcept]

I've got pictures of a side impact from Germany. Don't know what speed it was. See this

By the way: The owner is looking for a buyer, round about 14.000 USD. It's a great way of getting parts too I think as the cabine might be twisted.

http://flytheroadclub.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=871&stc=1&d=1244724876

http://flytheroadclub.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=872&stc=1&d=1244724876

[Derwin]

$14,000/USD? That's not too bad. I wonder if the damage included anything in the DVC system.

Derwin

[NortonF1]

@Derwin:

As far as I know the front suspension is damaged, too, which You cannot see on the pictures. I dont know about the DVC, but I know from my Carver One that the front suspension and steering are very sensitive, and the adjustment is very difficult and can take a lot of time to do it right.

Also parts are very expensive, e.g. a new body will cost You appr. 7.500 Euro plus VAT

Regards Hans

[Derwin]

Well, that's good to know. If the front end steering is so sensitive, then I would think this would not only take a lot of "time" to fix, but also a great deal of m-o-n-e-y!

Probably better off just getting a new or undamaged used one!

Derwin

[NortonF1]

Actually, looking at the picture 1 again You can see the damage, the front arm of the suspension touches the body structure and is pointing upwards, there should be at least about 15mm room for movement and the upper suspension actually has to go down to the front, not up.

Regards Hans

[DavidBunin]

Just because a vehicle is strong, does not mean it's good in a wreck. Remember that Dale Earnhart died in an incredibly strong vehicle that hardly deformed at all in his impact.

I love my car, but I want IT to die for ME and not the other way around.

You may end up as a bean in a can.

[ziggy951]

Dale died because of a specific safety failure, not because a strong and well built car will kill you. Just wanted to clarify.


Z

[AKP23]

Actually, Ziggy, I think that was his (DavidB) point. The vehicle is mucho strong, like bull! But our bodies be wimpy wimpy wimpy.

Seriously, a smaller compartment, reasonably padded over strong points, in a vehicle strong enough to handle relatively strong impacts, seriously improves your suvivability, even tho' your vehicle is destroyed or heavily damaged.dr:ive1)