__it happens. Dennis
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Fire
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 174
Likes: 13
Fire
In July of 1966, this was my 365 hp, 4 speed 1964 Vette. It had had American Racing mags with Goodyear Police Specials on it. One night it was stolen. I discovered that when I came out of the Elks Club to go home. I called the police and they said they had already found it and would pick me up and take me to it. When we got to the Forest Preserve where it was, I could see the glow in the sky and hear the fire trucks but didn't realize what that meant. When we got close enough, I could see the thieves had put the car up on concrete blocs and removed the wheels and tires.
I assume they set the car on fire so the owner (me) could collect on insurance. Unfortunately, I had just paid the GMAC loan off and they had canceled my insurance through GMIC. Being this was the Chicago area and I was single and 20 years old, the only insurance I could afford and get was liability.
As I recall, I sold what's in the pictures for $600 and a couple of years later I sold the hardtop for $300.
If you look at the black lump on the passenger side rear fender, that's the hood.
Fast Jimmy
I assume they set the car on fire so the owner (me) could collect on insurance. Unfortunately, I had just paid the GMAC loan off and they had canceled my insurance through GMIC. Being this was the Chicago area and I was single and 20 years old, the only insurance I could afford and get was liability.
As I recall, I sold what's in the pictures for $600 and a couple of years later I sold the hardtop for $300.
If you look at the black lump on the passenger side rear fender, that's the hood.
Fast Jimmy
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,514
Likes: 173
From: Central Coast California
To Fast Jimmy:
Sorry to hear of your loss ...even though it was decades ago ...I'm sure the hurt is still there ......
I don't know what it is about corvettes and fire's ,, the two seem to go hand in hand. I bought this wrecked burned 73 BB for parts in the 80's
what a mess (Stinky too) ...the owner's girl friend hit a Eucalyptus tree in the rain. She was lucky an off duty firemen pulled her out in time.
Sorry to hear of your loss ...even though it was decades ago ...I'm sure the hurt is still there ......
I don't know what it is about corvettes and fire's ,, the two seem to go hand in hand. I bought this wrecked burned 73 BB for parts in the 80's
what a mess (Stinky too) ...the owner's girl friend hit a Eucalyptus tree in the rain. She was lucky an off duty firemen pulled her out in time.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,576
Likes: 32
From: Sarasota Florida
Hello
Thats why you will never see me without a fire extinguisher in my Corvette. I seen a 1967 Big Block 435 almost burn to the ground and was surprised who quickly it caught on fire. If the fire dept had already been at the car show it would have been a total loss..
I met a guy who told me these cars are only meant to last for 10 years..After that who really cared!!
Pete
Thats why you will never see me without a fire extinguisher in my Corvette. I seen a 1967 Big Block 435 almost burn to the ground and was surprised who quickly it caught on fire. If the fire dept had already been at the car show it would have been a total loss..
I met a guy who told me these cars are only meant to last for 10 years..After that who really cared!!
Pete
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 6,541
Likes: 1,975
From: Temple Terrace Florida
Fire
Hemmings Muscle Car has just published the second of two articles of a 65 FI vert that was brought back from the dead after a fire. It was completed by a Corvette shop owner in NY. All was done in NOS. Beautiful restoration. Jerry
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 4,761
Likes: 138
From: Clinton Township MI
Cruise-In III Veteran
Fast Jimmy,
OUCH! That IS painful to, even now, look at.
How's this for being "lucky" and pics are in real time at that time. Dodged a BIG bullet just last year.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c1-a...let-today.html
As a result, all new dash with all new bulbs as well as an engine harnesses WITH fuseable links installed at the starter solenoid, amp guage as well as the horn buss.
Still sweat bullets thinking about what could have happened.
Jim
In God We Trust!
OUCH! That IS painful to, even now, look at.
How's this for being "lucky" and pics are in real time at that time. Dodged a BIG bullet just last year.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c1-a...let-today.html
As a result, all new dash with all new bulbs as well as an engine harnesses WITH fuseable links installed at the starter solenoid, amp guage as well as the horn buss.
Still sweat bullets thinking about what could have happened.
Jim
In God We Trust!
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 911
Likes: 8
Control arm came back and smashed the mechanical fuel pump - gas poured onto the frame and street, and then fumes ignited from the the hot exhaust - but I had a small fire extinguisher - and it put the fire out easy - the only thing that burned was the gas...so I still had something to rebuild.
Carry one... cause fiberglass burns HOT !!
Carry one... cause fiberglass burns HOT !!
Last edited by FastEddy; Mar 17, 2011 at 11:36 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 911
Likes: 8
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 4,142
Likes: 24
From: Simcoe Ontario
2 years ago i got home after a 150 mile trip from Watkins Glen in my 65 Coupe, when i pulled in the garage i smelled gasoline, lifted the hood and the fuel pump diaphram had let go and the fuel was spraying straight up out of the weep holes in the top of the pump, why it never caught fire i'll never know. It was the factory AC pump so if anyone has one with the 2 weep holes on the top you should install a shield or a different pump to stop a similar problem.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 461
Likes: 0
leaking fuel pump on 63 swc
Had the same exact leak on my 63 swc a few years ago. Gas spray straight up about 12 inches from hole on top of fuel pump. an original AC pump (after 25 years). Act fast anytime gas smell occurs. Regards,Abe G
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 4,786
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From: Park Bench #805 NE Indiana
Bruce