Lost my car today. I have a swapped 3800SC and going down the highway today the insulation between my trunk and rear bumper caught fire. Used an extinguisher but couldn`t get up to where the fire was and once the plastic caught it was gone.
The trunk had been cut out of the car a few years back and along the line they had put fire retardent insulation blanket to keep the rear bumper from getting too hot from exhaust. I built a trunk into it and should have removed that insulation but I didn`t. I guess the insulation had unraveled a bit and started a small fire. Someone on the road waved me down and we used an extinguisher to try to put it out but it was too far up in that tight space to get to and it dodn`t take long for the plastic bumper to catch. From there it went fast.
Thanks everyone, If I can find the energy I may build another but at the moment it seems such a colossal task, with all the hours that went into the bodywork and everything else, to think about it.
[This message has been edited by TXGOOD (edited 07-28-2017).]
WOW! So sorry to see this.....I know the blood, sweat and tears you put into your ride...and then poof.....it's gone in an instant.
Another one of my favorite builds.
No way to express how bad I feel for you, and as trite as it may sound, just glad YOU are ok....I can only imagine how devastating this must feel, but the bottom line is you are intact, and can move forward with whatever you choose to do.
If you want to build another car at some point, you can do it. Could have been much worse!
Oh Man, that hurt my heart!! Looks like it was a really nice car. I saw one at the local pick n pull with a 3.8 S/C and wondered how they ran. I can only imagine. So sorry for your loss.
I`m not completely out. I will soon be starting on an 88 Black T-top version of my car. I think after new valve covers, throttle body, injectors, sensors, pulleys and a few other small parts my engine will be ready to use again. Might even put in a cam and innercooler this time. I think most of the fire was higher up, even though it burned the outside panels because the transmission doesn`t even look burned. Just melted the shift position switch but those are fairly cheap. The only thing I can`t duplicate, unless I get awfully lucky as I did once before, are the AusFiero scoops. I can still use the front fenders, with the vents in them. The front bumper escaped unscathed. I may be able to repair the hood of the couple of holes the firefighters punched in it trying to get it open. Actually, everything from the windshield forward is still useable.
tom.martin55 Here is how it looked a few weeks ago.
[This message has been edited by TXGOOD (edited 07-30-2017).]
I`m not completely out. I will soon be starting on an 88 Black T-top version of my car. I think after new valve covers, throttle body, injectors, sensors, pulleys and a few other small parts my engine will be ready to use again. Might even put in a cam and innercooler this time. I think most of the fire was higher up, even though it burned the outside panels because the transmission doesn`t even look burned. Just melted the shift position switch but those are fairly cheap. The only thing I can`t duplicate, unless I get awfully lucky as I did once before, are the AusFiero scoops. I can still use the front fenders, with the vents in them. The front bumper escaped unscathed. I may be able to repair the hood of the couple of holes the firefighters punched in it trying to get it open. Actually, everything from the windshield forward is still useable.
tom.martin55 Here is how it looked a few weeks ago.
Was afraid I was going to be looking for the t-top trim caps that are almost non-existant now but I found them in all of the stuff on the floorboard. Weatherstrip is pretty good. Just need to get a headliner and a couple of other parts.
WoW! I am SOOOooo sorry to see this! I was at the Tyler Shipman Show in MN, and am just now catching up on the forum. I know how much time and effort you put into your car. It sickens me that it ended up like this. I am glad to see it just dampened your spirits a bit, but you are still pressing on.
When you put the 3800 in the 88 you will be happy with the results. I got a chance to drive an 88 last week, and the ride and handling are far better than my 86 with ALL NEW suspension, bushings, bearings, tie rods and ends, sway bars ect.
WoW! I am SOOOooo sorry to see this! I was at the Tyler Shipman Show in MN, and am just now catching up on the forum. I know how much time and effort you put into your car. It sickens me that it ended up like this. I am glad to see it just dampened your spirits a bit, but you are still pressing on.
When you put the 3800 in the 88 you will be happy with the results. I got a chance to drive an 88 last week, and the ride and handling are far better than my 86 with ALL NEW suspension, bushings, bearings, tie rods and ends, sway bars ect.
Honestly, I didn`t think I had enough energy to build another car but when the 88 t-top was presented I just couldn`t pass it up.
A race car fire suppression system would've been nice, but they are a tad pricey.. I am how ever going to try to make what I'd call the redneck one.. A standard extinguisher with 3/8 fuel line or 1/2"alum fuel line connected to it, and drill holes in it to make an supersized nos plate tube.. to go around the engine compartment.. To aim the retardant.. put the extinguisher in trunk , and use a power lock cyl to set it off.. This make using it easy from the drivers seat.. and set it up like a nos system.. 2 buttons or a switch and button,, an arm(I'd most likely use a switch with a light to let you know it is on/armed just so no oops happens) and then a fire, this way you can't set it off and make a mess by hitting one button and going oops..
the cost of the extinguisher or extinguishers(might be better to have 2 one spraying from in-front of engine and one from the rear. easier to package 2 smaller extinguishers than one large 10lb bottle)., the line and wire and switch,button,relay.. and junkyard power lock cyl. it should be under 100.00 bucks..
[This message has been edited by E.Furgal (edited 08-06-2017).]
A race car fire suppression system would've been nice, but they are a tad pricey.. I am how ever going to try to make what I'd call the redneck one.. A standard extinguisher with 3/8 fuel line or 1/2"alum fuel line connected to it, and drill holes in it to make an supersized nos plate tube.. to go around the engine compartment.. To aim the retardant.. put the extinguisher in trunk , and use a power lock cyl to set it off.. This make using it easy from the drivers seat.. and set it up like a nos system.. 2 buttons or a switch and button,, an arm(I'd most likely use a switch with a light to let you know it is on/armed just so no oops happens) and then a fire, this way you can't set it off and make a mess by hitting one button and going oops..
the cost of the extinguisher or extinguishers(might be better to have 2 one spraying from in-front of engine and one from the rear. easier to package 2 smaller extinguishers than one large 10lb bottle)., the line and wire and switch,button,relay.. and junkyard power lock cyl. it should be under 100.00 bucks..
I would be very interested in how this turns out for you.
Originally posted by TXGOOD: ... Honestly, I didn`t think I had enough energy to build another car but when the 88 t-top was presented I just couldn`t pass it up.
I salute your resolve. And I wish you the best of luck with your new project. Still sorry you had to go there, though.
