<VV> Gas tank location

[J R Read_HML]

Tony...

The very early ones (don't recall exact date of change) had a solid (all 
metal) filler neck.  This DID catch the fuel tank on fire in some left side 
impact situations when the filler neck ripped from the gas tank causing 
sparks which ignited the fuel.  I lost two friends who were burned to death 
in just such an accident back in those days.  I came upon the scene just as 
the fire was being extinguished.  The front half of the car was incinerated. 
It was a sight I'll always remember and one I wish I had not seen.

The rubber coupling in the filler neck (second design?) essentially 
corrected that problem as the top portion of the filler neck would then pull 
free without sparks in that type of accident.

Even after mentioning that story -  I DO agree that the tank on a Vair is 
located in the safest possible place.

Later, JR


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Tony Underwood" <tonyu at roava.net>
>>
>>Actually it is closer to the middle and better protected than any car of 
>>the
>>sixties and similar to the protection of modern FWD cars that place the 
>>tank
>>in front of the rear axle and under the rear shelf.
>
>
> I'll second this motion.   You never ever hear of a Corvair that suffered 
> a tank fire because of a collision,

>
>  'Vair fuel tanks are very well protected.
>
>
>
> tony..
>