History Main / InvincibleClassicCar

The biggest reason for this trope in real life, however, is the "crumple zone" misconception. Modern Cars use are designed to dissipate crash energy by spreading it across the frame as evenly as possible, and into sacrificial areas. The idea of a "Crumple zone" is misunderstood to mean the car collapses like an accordion, since vintage ones don't have them (and are built in a much heavier looking way), they are falsely assumed to be stronger. [[http://jalopnik.com/5838998/1967-pontiac-lemans-that-was-victim-of-brutal-lexus-attack-turns-up-at-auction/ The reality is quite different.]]

The biggest reason for this trope in real life, however, is the "crumple zone" misconception. Modern Cars use are designed to dissipate crash energy by spreading it across the frame as evenly as possible, and into sacrificial areas. The idea of a "Crumple zone" is misunderstood to mean the car collapses like an accordion, since vintage ones don't have them (and are built in a much heavier looking way), they are falsely assumed to be stronger.

Certainly TruthInTelevision in general when comparing classic to modern cars, for a number of reasons. Even if classic cars in general weren't more durable, any that survive to the modern day must be more hardy than average unless they were well looked after. However, classic cars were generally constructed from stronger, heavier materials, when weight and fuel consumption were less of an issue, and a car purchase was intended to last, rather than being bought with the intention of replacing it a few years down the line.

The biggest reason for this trope in real life, however, is that modern cars are designed to crumple under impact, absorbing the energy of the crash and thereby reducing the degree of sudden deceleration on the occupants. Rigid, unyielding cars, on the other hand, will do a better job of surviving crashes unscathed themselves, but have a much lower chance of the occupants surviving.

* The [[AwesomeYetPractical Muscle Car]] in ''[[HalfLife Half-life 2: Episode Two]]'' is a 1969 Dodge Charger stripped down, with modified engine. It looks [[WhatAPieceOfJunk exactly as you imagine it]], but can shrug off anything you do to it, including multiple {{Ramp Jump}}s in quick succession, excessive chases under heavy gunfire and [[CarFu running Hunters over]]. In fact, the only breakdown it ever suffers is [[PlotDrivenBreakdown scripted]].

* The [[AwesomeYetPractical Muscle Car]] in ''[[HalfLife Half-life 2: Episode Two]]'' is a 1969 Dodge Charger stripped down, with modified engine. It looks [[WhatAPieceOfJunk exactly as you imagine it]], but can shrug off anything you do to it, including multiple {{Ramp Jump}}s in quick succession, excessive chases under heavy gunfire and [[CarFu running Battle Tripods over]]. In fact, the only breakdown it ever suffers is [[PlotDrivenBreakdown scripted]].

* {{Christine}} was not technically invincible, but could repair herself given a chance.

Certainly TruthInTelevision in general when comparing classic to modern cars, for a number of reasons. Even if classic cars weren't more durable, any that survive to the modern day must be more hardy than average unless they were well looked after. However, classic cars were generally constructed from stronger, heavier materials, when weight and fuel consumption were less of an issue, and a car purchase was intended to last, rather than being bought with the intention of replacing it a few years down the line.

The biggest reason for this trope in real life however, is that modern cars are designed to crumple under impact, absorbing the energy of the crash and thereby reducing the degree of sudden deceleration on the occupants. Rigid, unyielding cars on the other hand will do a better job of surviving crashes unscathed themselves, but have a much lower chance of the occupants surviving.

In fiction of course, the heros are MadeOfIron or wear PlotArmor, so the Invincible Classic Car surviving treatment that would shred a modern car just goes to show how cool it is.

* [[LampshadeHanging Lampshaded]] in ''{{Back to the Future}}'':

* Justified in ''GoodOmens''. Crowley's car is a Bentley from the 20s, which still is in perfect condition when the book (which takes place some time around 2000) starts. Of course, Crowley is a fallen angel, and when he decides he wants something around him to be a certain way, reality usually realigns itself accordingly.

** In the pilot, this trope is discussed. Michael picks as car without airbags so that his opponent will be disabled in the collision long enough to be tied to the steering wheel.

* [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kDjpcBlNplY This]] 21st Century ad has a 1962 Cadillac parallel park by smashing the front and rear of two Miatas in its way. While the two new cars were drivable but damaged badly, the Caddy lacked ''even a scratch''.

Compare/Contrast to TheyDontMakeThemLikeTheyUsedTo.

* ''{{Supernatural}}'' has a 1967 Chevrolet Impala that may or may not be intelligent. She (referred to as their baby) is indestructible even after a major crash in the first season, and had a hand (wheel rim) in saving the world.

* ''{{Angel}}'''s '67 Plymouth managed to survive multiple collisions and various forms of abuse, including a trip to a Hell dimension without so much as a scratch.

* Boko Fittleworth's car in ''[[PGWodehouse Joy in the Morning]]'' is an early example: