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Fuel Tank Shield Purpose?

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Old Jul 29, 2020 | 10:12 AM
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Default Fuel Tank Shield Purpose?

What is the purpose of the big, ugly sheet metal shield surrounding my '77's fuel tank? Is it just additional fire protection or does it serve some other purpose? I notice other years of C3's don't have them.

Last edited by C3TPI; Jul 30, 2020 at 11:22 AM.
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Old Jul 29, 2020 | 08:35 PM
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Supposed the help protect the fuel tank during a rear end collision.
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Old Jul 29, 2020 | 08:47 PM
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Anti-puncture protection.
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Old Jul 30, 2020 | 06:21 AM
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vegas and pintos came out around 72. i think it was paranoia from too many customers getting immolated in them carrying over to other models. leave it there. if car catches fire and you removed it, insurance company can say it was your own damn fault and we ain't paying.

Last edited by derekderek; Jul 30, 2020 at 06:24 AM.
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Old Jul 30, 2020 | 06:31 AM
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I'm wondering about the Ugly comment. In all the years I've had my 77, and only God knows how many car shows, and the countless times people have taken photos of my car. NOT one comment on my UGLY fuel tank cover!! NOT ONE!
apparently, no one , ever has noticed it.
Small margin of safety, that with the fuel tank bladder, yes. Perhaps small.
Mine stays in place.
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Old Jul 30, 2020 | 11:33 AM
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Well, I am going to re-install it. I just wondered why photo's I see of an '80 model with the body removed in my restoration book doesn't have one. As far as ugly, it only shows when the body is off, but I think it ruins the look of the chassis as a whole non the less. Just my obsession with everything under the skin looking beautiful, even if no one else sees it.

But yes, all of the answered you have provided are what I figured. No one would think twice about driving an earlier model with no shield, and have you ever looked into the trunk of an early Mustang? That's the fuel tank you are stacking all of you stuff on!
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Old Jul 30, 2020 | 11:39 AM
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Originally Posted by derekderek
vegas and pintos came out around 72. i think it was paranoia from too many customers getting immolated in them carrying over to other models. leave it there. if car catches fire and you removed it, insurance company can say it was your own damn fault and we ain't paying.
You better believe it. Insurance companies look for any loophole NOT to pay.
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