Car Talk

July 1990

Dear Tom and Ray:
A few weeks ago, you we're talking about how large cars are inherently safer than small cars because of their weight. You posed the question "How'd you like to come out the loser in a head on collision with a horse?" I'm afraid you have an exaggerated idea of what a horse weighs! A thoroughbred weighs between 1000-1300 pounds. Even a Clydesdale weighs only 1500-2000 pounds. How can you compare this to the weight of a car?
Nancy

TOM: First of all, everyone knows that thoroughbreds stay on the tracks and off the highways--it's the clydesdales you have to worry about. Moreover, our comparisons were based on the Mother-in-Law class of clydesdale, which always weigh-in at right around 2000 pounds.

RAY: Actually, there are several cars that weigh less than a large horse. The Geo Metro weighs 1600 pounds, the Ford Festiva weighs 1700 pounds, and the Honda CRX weighs only 1800 pounds--all in the sub-clydesdale class.

TOM: So we stand by our remarks. We still wouldn't want to have a head on collision with a clydesdale in one of these cars. Of course, now that I think about it, the good thing about clydesdales is that they ARE tall. So if you do find yourself in such a predicament, just tuck in the mirrors, close the sunroof, yell "spread 'em," and see if you can split the uprights!
Beat up old car

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