Six Star Magazine Six Star Magazine Summer 2006 | Page 30

SUBARU OWNERS

lucky number 7
I don’t think we’re in Kansas anymore...

M

ichael Harrison’s family has been
purchasing Subaru automobiles
since the early ‘80s. And, Michael has
never had an accident in one – until
Subaru number 7.
Earlier this year, Michael and his wife
Lisa were on their way back to Canada
from South Carolina. Driving their trusty
Subaru Outback, nicknamed “Oz,” they
were travelling north along I-79 when a
rapid change in temperature instantly
created deadly black ice. Within a few
metres there were three dangerous
single-vehicle accidents. Michael and Lisa
became the fourth! Unfortunately for them,
their car went from black ice on the road to
an equally ice covered shoulder and soon
they were rolling over counterclockwise,
then clockwise down the ditch. When it
was all said and done, their vehicle had
settled in a grove of small trees.
Michael and Lisa checked themselves
out, and then checked each other
out. With no obvious injuries, they got
themselves out of their 2005 Outback and
surveyed the damage. “Oz” looked a mess
“Oz” took a major beating in this rollover but the
passenger cage held strong, protecting those inside.

and they knew looking at it that it would
be headed for the scrap heap. Just about
every finishing piece was either hanging off
the car, or scattered in all directions. Three
of the windows had blown out and there
were dents everywhere. But, the most
important thing, the passenger cage, was
holding strong.
Amazingly, Michael and Lisa were
not the only things that came out of the
roller coaster ride unscathed. Their laptop
computer and brand new 24” cut-glass
candle holders were still perfectly intact
as well.
Now, comfortably back in Canada,
Michael and Lisa have purchased Subaru
number 8, a brand new 2006 Subaru
Outback. There was never any question
that they would purchase another Outback
but there was one big difference in the
transaction this time. As Michael says,
“Looking through the brochure, this was
the first time I really paid attention to
the page that describes the high tensile
strength steel in the passenger cage.”
As the Subaru Dealer where “Oz” is now
resting put it, “I have already shown this
vehicle to many of our clients. It is good for
them to see the lengths that Subaru goes
for passenger safety.”
Both the Dealer and the Harrisons knew
that “Oz” likely saved two lives that day
along I-79.

The Harrisons now have a greater appreciation for the
construction of the advanced ring-shaped reinforcement
frame in the Subaru Outback.
Aluminum: 4.5%
Steel: 46.5%
High tensile strength steel with tailored-blank welding: 14.2%
High tensile strength steel: 34.8%

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