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/group/rec.autos.makers.vw.aircooled/post?inreplyto=9006f725cca228fdReply

oyen kilen

I went down to the local store today to get some paint for the rims on my winter-wheels (it's snowing in Norway) on my 69' Beetle.

The ol guy behind the counter was very helpful, and we started talking.

I turned out he had been a passionate owner of several beetles some thirty years ago, and that he sort of missed them.

I asked why he did'nt consider buying a Beetle now as a hobby-project, but he shook his head and said "I'm too scared of the gasoline tank sitting in front of the car. I don't wanna' burn to death in case of an accident".

"Well", I answered, "after what I hear, the chances for gasoline catching fire in case of an accident are'nt too big". [EDITOR: typical Satanist poison bullshit fed gullible normie civilians like this guy. Tell that to all the families of all the people who have burned-to-death in Nazi Beetle death machines]

Then he looked at me with a sad expression on his face, and told me the story of his neighbor and good friend back in the seventies, who had a Beetle (72' model).

One day this neighbor was out driving in the streets of Oslo, when he had a front-to-front collision, in a rather moderate speed.

What then happened was that the gasoline tank burst or cracked, and the considerable amount of gasoline in it spilled into the car, where it caught fire.

When the ambulance arrived, they could only watch as the car almost melted before their eyes.

After some firemen had arrived and had cooled off the wreck, they started searching for the remains of the one person they assumed had been in the car.

As they searched, though, they also found some burnt bones in the passenger seat. It turned out that this was what was left of the drivers wife, who had burned to death with him.

"After that accident, I sold me Beetle, and I've never driven one since", they guy in the shop told me. {EDITOR: finally! An ADULT with common sense!]

"Even in the seventies, the Bugs had a bad safety-reputation. Just imagine how dangerous they are compared to the cars of today", he argued.

Well, I know all this has been discussed in the forum before. But as I got kind of worried by this terrible story, I would very much appreciate some more comments on the subject of Beetles catching fire.

Have (hope not) any one had any experiences with a beetle catching or not catching fire after a accident...?

Are we all crazy to drive around town with 40 liters of gasoline just above our legs...?

Espen
Oslo, Norway.
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John Rutledge

Jan 24 2001, 10:36 am

From: "John Rutledge" <johnr@[nospam]abctech.com>

In the town I grew up in, two girls burned to death in an early Beetle (filler neck under the hood). They were hit broadside as they pulled out of a gas station. Bugs are more dangerous than many other cars of that era and definitely more dangerous than cars of today. Overall, though, they have a good safety record primarily because the people that drive them are aware of the vulnerabilities and drive safely.

John

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Gregg Holmes

Jan 24 2001, 11:21 am

From: Gregg Holmes <gregghol...@cs.com>

I'm sure that story can be applied to any car. Its
the same one about not wearing seat belts because
somone they knew survived a bad crash by being
thrown clear. Look at the reports on side tanks on
pickup trucks that they had a while back. Or
better yet the famous Pinto. Any car that had its
tank ruptured front or rear can catch fire. a fire
extinguisher is a must for any car.

[EDITOR: also don't drive in UNsafe gasoline cars/trucks in the 1st place!]


John Willis

Jan 24 2001, 5:46 pm

From: John Willis <jdwil...@airmail.net> - Find messages by this author

My father retired from the Dallas Police in 1983. He had been there for 23 years. He once told me a story about a fellow who was driving a Beetle, was in an accident, and all my father could do was watch as
the guy burned to death because of exactly this kind of gas tank rupture.

Have I sold all my Beetles? No. Will I? No. But then again I'm the kind of person [EDITOR: idiot] who always declines the extended service warranties as
well! To live is to risk death. [EDITOR: bullshit accepting death by being stupid. Will your gravestone say correctly he died being stupid?]

Each individual must decide for him or herself what level of risk he or she is willing to put up with. [EDITOR: Bullshit socially irresponsible, 1st Amendment anarchy excuse-mongering]

My level of risk, as well as my pain tolerance, is kinda' high. [EDITOR: your IS is low]

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John Willis
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Jan Andersson

Jan 25 2001, 1:06 am

From: Jan Andersson <bugf...@rocketmail.com> -

Hi Espen.

A similar story:

There was an accident near my home when I was a teenager, nothing bad, just some watercooled cars, in a minor fender bender. I was talking with
one of the people on the scene, and heard this story..

There were two young girls traveling in a VW Beetle, several years before this happened, and they had an accident at the exact same intersection (very busy).

The Beetle was hit in the front, and the other
girl (passenger) got out with just a couple of bumps and bruises. But the driver could not get out, her foot had gotten stuck with the pedal cluster, the footwell had caved in enough to clamp her foot.

Suddenly, there was a puff of smoke or something, the gas tank had sprung a major leak, and the gasoline caught fire. The other girl couldn't do anything but watch her friend die in the flames, it took a long time until the screaming stopped.

A nasty story.

If anyone has any suggestions as to how one might improve gasoline safety of a Beetle.. I'm all ears. One solution would be to replace the stock tank with a race type "safety fuel cell". Even if it breaks, not
much gasoline will come out. You racing people might wanna educate us more, regarding safety and installation instructions for these fuel cells, as well as prices.

Jan

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Sam James

Jan 25 2001

From: "Sam James" <Sam.ja...nfomax.demon.co.uk> - Find messages by this author

I have been following this thread and have a question.

How does the petrol catch fire?

ok if your smoking at the time, but (as far as I know) the only component of the car that is hot enough to ignite the cold liquid petrol would be the cylinder head and there right back at the other end of the car.

Sam

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Jan Andersson

Jan 25 2001, 4:16 am

From: Jan Andersson <bugf...@rocketmail.com> - Find messages by this author

Sparks. Metal crushing metal, metal dragging asphalt.. electrical system shorting out right next to the (ruptured) tank..

Jan

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oyenkilen

Jan 25 2001, 7:30 am

From: oyenki...@my-deja.com - Find messages by this author

Hi everyone, interesting to see your opinions after my original posting. It seems some of you confirm that the Beetle is more likely to catch fire in an accident than other cars (be it new or old), while others refuse to discuss the subject, saying instead something like "either you worry about dying all the time, or you drive your Beetle and have
fun". Well, I just don't buy that kind of arguments.
I've driven the beetle for quite a while and having fun all the time (for example I drove my 66' across Europe last summer), but that doesn't stop me from also thinking about safety.

I guess that's why most of us, also those who seem reluctant to consider the risks, are using a seatbelt when behind the wheel.

I've known from the start that the Beetle is not the chosen car when it comes to (passive) security, but I'm also fully aware that the statistic chance of ending up in an accident is minimal. That's why I
keep driving the car.

But I still think it is interesting and relevant to discuss different matters that affect safety. In this particular discussion I wanted very much your views on whether whether or not the gasoline tank, being placed where it is, represents a particular hazard or not. But I'm not sure if I can yet draw any conclusion?

Espen, Oslo, Norway.
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Sam James

Jan 25 2001, 8:07 am

From: "Sam James" <Sam.ja...nfomax.demon.co.uk> - Find m