Well there was the Corvair (unsafe at any speed) and the Vega (exploded if hit from behind) and I'm sure others. Where did your 1 in 109 stat come from?
Edit: I take back the Vega. While that was an awful car, I was actually thinking of the Ford Pinto.
> Edit: I take back the Vega. While that was an awful car, I was actually thinking of the Ford Pinto.
Turns out a lot of cars from that era had the same problem, and in general subcompact cars of the time were rather dangerous.
The famous cost benefit analysis memo was also misquoted, and taken out of context.
Economy sub-compact cars always have, and always will, meet exactly the minimum safety requirements put forth by the government. That is the entire point of an economy car, to make the cheapest car legally possible.
Want safety without regard for price? Drive a Volvo.
Edit: I take back the Vega. While that was an awful car, I was actually thinking of the Ford Pinto.