“WASHINGTON (UPD - Most 1979 domestic cars and all imported autos flunked aw experimental program that tested occupant protection in crashes at 35 mph, the U.S. Highway Traffic Safety Aministration reported Thursday. The program tested a total 48 models representing 85 per cent of all cars manu- factured domestically and 40 per cent of those imported in 1978. Only the Plymouth » The men who manage Thruway Mufflercentres aren't in mufflers as a sideline. If they're going to make it, they'll make it on giving you the best Horizon, Ford "Mustang, Dodge Magnum, Chrysler Cordoba and the 1980 Chevrolet Citation passed all tests. “The test results show that Manufacturers have designed most of their cars to meet only the minimal federal safety réquirements in 30 mph crash tests, and not much more,” said safety agency administrator Joan Claybrook. Models, were tested by crashing them at 35 mph into muffler service you've ever had. They have to and they want to. Because they own the shop. At an independent Thruway Mufflercentre you deal with the owner, and if you aren't more than pleased with the service, you can go right to the boss. Things will be set nght. Add in the fact you're getting original-quality mufflers that are guaranteed for as long as you Own your car and you can see why at a fixed barrier in frontal tests” for occupant protection. Rear tests also -were made ig, with moving ‘barriers to check leakage from the fuel system. Miss Claybrook said the 35 mph speed was used because it was presumed cars would meet the 30 mph federal standard. She explained that if a car failed a test, “It means that the occupant probably would have been killed in that situation or -very Thruway you're more than welcomed. thru way mufflercentre AT THRUWAY, YOU'RE MORE THAN WELCOMED. severely injured.” Besides the Citation, the program tested only’. one other 1980 model, the AMC Concord: However, - Miss Claybrook said, most. 1980 models are structurally the same as the 1979 models so the test results can still be useful to new car buyers. She said the agency was pleased with the perfor- mance of the newer small cars — especially the Citation, Horizon and redesigned Mustang, which passed all tests. The 1979 Ford Pinto failed the frontal impact occupant protection test, but passed all others, including a rear impact fuel leakage test. Ford says it now has corrected an alleged defect in fuel tank construction that led it to recall more than 1.5 million Pintos from 1970-76 model years. Miss Claybrook said the experimental program is expected jo lead to a federal automotive crashworthiness rating system to help con- sumers Compare safety per- formance differences among hundreds of makes and. models.on the market. It would be similar to fuel economy ratings that must be displayed on new car window stickers. Miss Claybrook also announced that nationwide traffic fatalities topped the 50,000 mark in 1979 for the second straight year, despite a small decrease in mileage travelled, a summer gasoline shortage and a substantial increase in gasoline prices. 860 West 15th St, N. Vancouver, (across from Dave Buck Ford) 984- 9581.