Sad, Sad Day.

[Rob]

Damn Rick. I am so sorry!!!! Any idea what happened yet?

 

[67HEAVEN]

Damn, that is an awful thing to have happen.

Time heals, but damn!!!!!

Hope you feel better soon.

 

[MidShark]

Did you put the fire out? I've seen quite a few burned vettes, and most of them were worse (farther gone) than this. I fought a car fire once in a parking lot (steel car) and two of us had big fire extinguishers, but we still came out on the losing end- the car was a total loss. I guess what I'm saying is, I know it sucks, but it certainly could have been worse, too.

Dick

 

[Culprit]

First Response

What was your first response? Did you have a fire extinguisher in the garage, or did you reach in the car for one - a garden hose maybe?

I imagine that opening the hood would have let in more air and resulted in quite a flame jumping out.

Looking back, what would you have done differently?


Semper Fi,
Culprit

PS - I'm going to buy a fire extinguisher - or two.

 

[a69vette]

Rob, Possible that the float stuck. I think that once the fuel sat on the intake it started to boil and then burn. Once the fire started the inline fuel filter burn thru and supplied more gas. The main line from the tank to the pump had a small section of rubber hose where it connected to the pump, once that melted the gas tank gave the fire a constance source of fuel (along with all the rubber, fiberglass and everything else).

 

[a69vette]

What was your first response?

I ran to the side of the house for the hose. To my surprise it was turned on. I couldn't figure who left the hose running. As I round the side of the house to the car, one of my neighbors was hosing down the car. He told me that a lady was driving by and saw the smoke, stopped by his house (3 doors down) and told him that the car was on fire. He grabbed 2 fire extinguishers and emptied both of them before he went for the hose. I grab the hose from him when I look up thru the front a still saw flames. We did NOT open the hood untill and the flames were out. Once I had the hood open, I just kept spraying water over the whole engine bay. The we noticed that the carpet was on fire. The entire fire was out when the fire dept. showed up.

 

[LEEJANDZ]

I couldnt tell by the pictures alone... but I was wondering if you can still fire her up?

Or are the hoses along with the wiring all fried???

 

[a69vette]

LEEJANDZ I couldnt tell by the pictures alone

No, there is no wiring, hoses nothing left but one very burnt engine.

 

[LEEJANDZ]

Nevermind

 

[LEEJANDZ]

Good luck with the insurance company!!!

Did you have a policy with an agreed value?

 

[a69vette]

Yep, I've got agreed value. I just don't know which way it's going to go. Value was set to $25K. But this was somewhat of a rare car, it was one of only 1,100 that came with the speed warning indicator. I have mixed feelings on what to do.

 

[Mike Carter]

What a shame, I lost a 66 same way, Holley with stuck needle valve, non metal fuel line.

 

[a69vette]

Mike, What did you do? Did you have an option to put it back together?

 

[IH2LOSE]

I am sorry for your loss,I can only imagine what you might be feeling,SORRY and good luck with it.

 

[Mike Carter]

I sold it to a salvage shop, who later rebuilt into a drag car. The damage was too extensive, all wiring to include dash, all front rubber, motor was good just scorched. Considered rebuild but rebuild cost was more than the car was worth. I pay real close attention to fuel, wiring, hoses now. I don't have any Holley stuff either, but they may have improved, like the old saying "once burned, twice shy"

 

[joevette57]

Something to think about

Rick,
One thing you might think about.... If the insurance company does total the car, see what kind of salvage value they apply to it. Might be attractive to buy it back. Although here in Florida, if it were to be rebuilt, it would have to have a salvage title. But you have a lot of original parts on that car that could be worth a LOT more than the salvage value.
I'm still feelin for you..... Again, thank God you didn't pull in the garage.
Joe

 

[offshore]

:cry :cry :cry

Holy $#!+
You must be devastated!!!

I just started a thread on this subject 4 days ago.

C3 ENGINE BURN

Let me know if I can do anything

:cry :cry :cry

JASON *** BRAND NEW NITROUS KITS FOR SALE!!! *** 1979 L-82

That's why I put the batt. switch in.What a shame. Mine is red and if I saw it looking like that i'd die.

 

[Mike Carter]

Offshore,

What type switch and where did you put it?

 

[LEEJANDZ]

offshore -- That's why I put the batt. switch in.What a shame

If a69vette had a battery switch the car would have still caught on fire... right?

 

[offshore]

Offshore,

What type switch and where did you put it?

cole hersee part #h-284 top of batt box. you need to take sw.out to remove batt. though (I guess theat a small price to pay after seeing that!) If I get out of the car to go in anywhere i turn it off it's a good saftey and anti theft.