Uploaded March 2023 | Updated September 2026, 1 day ago
The ESV, or Experimental Safety Vehicle program, originated in 1970 and was implemented through bilateral agreements between the government of the United States and those of several other countries, including Italy.
About 4.5 Billion Italian Lire, roughly equivalent to 35 Million Euros today, went into the design, construction, and subsequent destruction in various crash tests of 47 examples of three innovative vehicle designs, each named after its target weight in pounds. #fiat #history #crashtest #safety
Remarkably, given the whole point of these cars' existence was to be destroyed, one example for each of Fiat's ESV prototypes survives to this day, serving as a powerful reminder of the enormous strides made in automobile engineering made over the last fifty years.
My articles on Medium: roadsterlifeweb.medium.com/membership
My automotive books:
Lancia Gamma Berlina & Coupé 1976 - 1984
ENGLISH: amazon.com/dp/B09TN45L8Q
ITALIAN: https://www.amazon.it/dp/B09YVJRKH6
Six Appeal - The Story Of The Alfa 6
amazon.com/dp/1793931046
Alfa Romeo Alfa 6 - La Storia 1979-1987 (ITALIAN)
https://www.amazon.it/dp/B0BHT3PCC7
Alfa Romeo Giulietta - The Story 1977 - 1985
ENGLISH: amazon.com/dp/1983393746
ITALIAN: https://www.amazon.it/dp/B098GVJ7RK
Alfa Romeo Arna - The Full Story 1980 - 1987 amazon.com/dp/1656632500
The ESV, or Experimental Safety Vehicle program, originated in 1970 and was implemented through bilateral agreements between the government of the United States and those of several other countries, including Italy.
About 4.5 Billion Italian Lire, roughly equivalent to 35 Million Euros today, went into the design, construction, and subsequent destruction in various crash tests of 47 examples of three innovative vehicle designs, each named after its target weight in pounds. #fiat #history #crashtest #safety
Remarkably, given the whole point of these cars' existence was to be destroyed, one example for each of Fiat's ESV prototypes survives to this day, serving as a powerful reminder of the enormous strides made in automobile engineering made over the last fifty years.
My articles on Medium: roadsterlifeweb.medium.com/membership
My automotive books:
Lancia Gamma Berlina & Coupé 1976 - 1984
ENGLISH: amazon.com/dp/B09TN45L8Q
ITALIAN: https://www.amazon.it/dp/B09YVJRKH6
Six Appeal - The Story Of The Alfa 6
amazon.com/dp/1793931046
Alfa Romeo Alfa 6 - La Storia 1979-1987 (ITALIAN)
https://www.amazon.it/dp/B0BHT3PCC7
Alfa Romeo Giulietta - The Story 1977 - 1985
ENGLISH: amazon.com/dp/1983393746
ITALIAN: https://www.amazon.it/dp/B098GVJ7RK
Alfa Romeo Arna - The Full Story 1980 - 1987 amazon.com/dp/1656632500
