>> Also, I spend a LOT of time in the junkyards (as you all well know) and
>> I don't think I have ever seen a bus that was smashed in so badly in
>> the front that the occupants would have died.  I must confess that I did
>> see one where the driver probably would have had both legs amputated,
>> but that was just one out of hundreds of wrecked busses, many that
>> were front end collisions.
>
>I have an aquaintance that got in a head-on in a '60 Panelbus.  It 
>smashed the whole front in.  He made it out with two broken legs, and 
>lots of lacerations.  The bus didn't survive! :) 
>
>After I lost the brakes on my '67 I am a >>LOT<< more conscience of 
>my surroundings, particularly stopping distances!  :)

what about a big tubular frame bumper? despite looks, it would save legs..