An examination of the crashworthiness of light forward control passenger vehicles

Abstract

Once upon a time, it seemed, the average Australian car buyer had only to decide whether to purchase a Holden, Falcon or Valiant when buying the new family car. Now, a new type of passenger vehicle is becoming more and more popular as an alternative to the conventional passenger car. The conversion of light forward control commercial vans in to passenger vehicles is becoming increasingly common. This conversion is effected by fitting seats into the cargo area of the van. These vans are known as forward control vehicles because they do not possess a bonnet and engine bay extending out in front of the driver. Rather, the van driver sits above the front axle of the vehicle, usually with the engine beneath the front seats, and with the windscreen and front body work of the van forming a single vertical wall about a metre in front of the driver's' seat.