"Phil Allison" wrote in message
...

"Michael Chare"

The US has some of the highest safety standards for automobiles in the
world, and tests cars to ensure that they are being met.

Not even Ralph Nader shows much interest in the issue any more - that
was so
1960s.

It was GM who tried to discredit him following the publication of his
book "Unsafe at any Speed" in 1965.

** That was due to one chapter where he severely criticised the Chevrolet
Corvair.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chevrolet_Corvair

The car was crappy and unsafe in an accident, but so was the VW beetle and
many others at the time.

Having actually owned a 1965 Corvair and after putting about 100,000 miles
on it - I can say from experience that the lack of crashworthiness was only
part of its inherent danger. Its handling was, err unusual. And this was for
the 1965 model with the allegedly highly improved Corvette-style rear
suspension. The 1960 edition was far worse.

BTW, I also put significant mileage on a VW Beetle a VW Van, and a Renault
Dauphine, all rear-engine IRS small sedans. The latter was the most
seriously flawed of the three. It was IMO literal death-bucket. Compared to
it, the 1965 Corvair was a picture of stability, except of course it was
still pretty unstable if maneuvered with vigor either accidentally or
intentionally.