Perhaps using a different metal for the roof of the car would get it to deform when it hits...I was initially thinking heavy tin foil, but I think that would be too thin (although, it may be the correct scale thickness to convincingly deform). This could be formed over the existing model's roof, then the model altered to have this hood instead...or perhaps just the main rectangle of the roof to have it deform the normal curvature of the roof a bit.

Very cool. I say let the smoke/fire effect happen quickly just as the car comes to a stop, add a quick wiggle expression at that point as well (so it doesn't look so much like a still frame and adds a little blur to boot), add some chaotic background noise, but cut away quickly (no more than a second) and you have a winner.

This is amazing. I absolutely love dvinfo. One question, Sorry if this has already been answered Grant but I didn't see it mentioned, What editing program did you use for this?

FCP and Motion!