Filed under: Etc., Government/Legal, Cadillac, Ford
Would your car survive a nuclear blast?
Click above for image gallery of how cars survive a nuclear blast
Before you answer that question, take a good luck at the photo above. That Cadillac and its perfectly-coiffed driver have lived through nuclear hell. The paint looks to be in good shape, the windows are mostly intact and the tires are even still fully inflated. A testament to 1950s Detroit iron or 1950s propaganda? Maybe a little of both.The Caddy above and dozens of other now-classic cars you can see in the gallery below were used in the government's "Operation Doorstep" project. As part of the program, houses and cars were set up near nuclear test sites in Nevada to study the bombs' effects on people and property. What those tests showed (or at least what the public was told) is that not only could cars survive a nuclear blast surprisingly well, but they also made wonderful shelters for people.
But as a pamphlet from that era pointed out, be sure to roll down your car's windows halfway to equalize the pressure of the shock wave. Otherwise your car could end up with crushed roofs and shattered glass like many in the accompanying photos. Read the whole document here for tips on how to survive nuclear war and the aftermath in your car. While it's true you might fair pretty well in your car, there's little mention of the ensuing radioactive fallout except that you should roll your windows up as soon as possible to protect yourself from the dust. Yeah, right.
Looking through the photos from the National Nuclear Security Administration, it would seem someone either had it in for the Ford Mainline or got a great deal on a whole bunch of 'em. There's also a photo of the tragic sacrifice of a woody wagon that held up much worse than that Cadillac.
[Source: Autopia, photos courtesy of National Nuclear Security Administration / Nevada Site Office]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Richard 6:09PM (12/26/2008)
While I am sure my "roo" would survive and thrive I expect that its ignition system wouldn't survive the electron shower nor would I survive the proton shower.
They'd better un-delay the diesel to the US so we haven't to worry about spark-plugs for ignition.
Rent Mad Max or, better yet, Wim Wenders' "Until the end of the World" to understand what I am writing about.
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Flashpoint 6:33PM (12/26/2008)
The car wouldn't survive the EMP blast - the computer and circuitry would be fried. Even if the car survived, you'd have a hard time finding a gas station not engulfed in nuclear flames.
Furthemore, how would you be able to drive with destruction everywhere around you and no technologicaly remaining?
Derek 7:39PM (12/26/2008)
You'd need an old diesel with a mechanical injection pump. Nothing electronic to keep it running. It had better have a manual trans though so you can roll it to a start after the starter gets fried.
Kotse 12:59PM (12/27/2008)
"Before you answer that question, take a good luck at the photo above. That Cadillac and its perfectly-coiffed driver have lived through nuclear hell..."
Chris, apparently that "good luck" has already been...nuked up.
Fooman 6:11PM (12/26/2008)
Has to be something with no electrical system... EMP would fry it... Model T?
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Miguel 7:59PM (12/26/2008)
The EMP would only fry active electronic systems. If your car is turned completely off, you should be okay. Maybe you'll lose a few systems, but the starter? I doubt it.
Michael 6:14PM (12/26/2008)
And the random info of the day goes to...
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upirons 6:25PM (12/26/2008)
I'll take the lead-lined fridge, thankyouverymuch.
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flychinook 6:27PM (12/26/2008)
But how are you supposed to "Duck and Cover" to survive the blast if you're in a car??
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Richard 6:30PM (12/26/2008)
Same as "Duck and Cover" when you were in High School. Just, well, less survivable.
flychinook 6:33PM (12/26/2008)
The Duck and Cover I'm referring to was taught loooong before I was in high school..
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duck_and_cover
Richard 6:36PM (12/26/2008)
I understand that.
but the technique can serve at least a couple of purposes.
The Luigiian 6:58PM (12/26/2008)
Had my mother ducked and covered back in elementary school, she would have been just fine. Awesomely, she went to elementary school for a year in Artesia's semi-famous Abo Elementary School and Fallout Shelter.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abo_Elementary_School
As for the article: They should try lining a Ford Explorer in lead sheets and see how it would work. We've got several Explorers in my family that might make awesome test dummies.
tankd0g 1:13AM (12/27/2008)
You need a news paper to cover your head.
Kitko 5:06AM (12/27/2008)
Duck and Cover... reminds me of South Park's episode with the volcano explosion. The most unfortunate thing is that while South Park is a parody, this was reality. Born and raised on the other side of the the Curtain, I have to say that this leaflet is the most idiotic advice I've ever seen. Borrowing from South Park, US civillians would have got(ten) scre...ed in the event of an attack. Totally.
AK 6:34PM (12/26/2008)
"I've never seen a supernova blow up before, but if it's anything like my old Chevy Nova, it'll light up the night sky."
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ambientFLIER 9:56PM (12/26/2008)
Awesome!
Toby 6:51PM (12/26/2008)
"But as a pamphlet from that era pointed out, be sure to roll down your car's windows halfway to equalize the pressure of the shock wave. Otherwise your car could end up with crushed roofs and shattered glass like many in the accompanying photos."
Are modern cars able to withstand that pressure now?
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Richard 7:19PM (12/26/2008)
"Are modern cars able to withstand that pressure now?"
Only if they are playing Queen when the blast goes off.
mike 9:13AM (12/29/2008)
Modern cars, maybe. Modern eardrums? Not so much.