Ferraris on Fire

Years ago my old Ferrari 355 (video thumbnail picture) caught on fire and burnt to the ground. Having had a similar experience on another Ferrari last year, I did some research on Ferrari fires and this compilation is just some of what I found on pretty much every model !

Lesson learnt, since then I ALWAYS carry a fire extinguisher in all my Supercars.

 

OUCH, Not a fun thread to post stuff.

 

This is true, but take it as a warning I have learned the hard way ......ALWAYS carry a fire extinguisher in your Ferrari.

 

I disagree. A fire suppression system to allow you time to unhook your belts, cool suit and radio and crawl out before the track Marshall’s get there... sure.

In a street car, keep the relevant systems maintained in order to prevent a fire. But if one does start, the damage will be massive no matter how fast you think you can put it out, will cost an arm and a leg to repair if it’s even repairable, and you will probably never get it back to normal if you try.

So if a fire does start, get out, be safe, and let it go. That’s what insurance is for.

 

No totally disagree, it completely depends on circumstances. The rear end of my 308 went up in flames due to HT lead coming off coil pack and sending unburnt fuel into exhaust that then caught alight.

Because the fire was quickly extinguished, the only damage was rear rubber bumper lower valance, plastic light lens and some rear panel paintwork. The cost of repair was minimal and infact gave me the kick to do a 308 Euro conversion.

Without the extinguisher, that low mileage very nice 308 would without doubt be a pile of ash.


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After my old fox body mustang burned down late at night on a highway, I always keep at least 1 extinguisher in my car.

In my case, I had to agonizingly watch my car smoulder pop and burn sitting beside a cop who didn’t want to risk an explosion (which never occurred), until FD (the real heroes) showed up.
It was only 1/4 burned but smoke damage to the interior of course wrote it off.

Paul walker is another reason I always keep an exitinguisher within reach.

 

Treat it like an Airplane. Preflight inspection every trip and don’t skimp or defer maintenance. Every 308 I’ve owned had fuel/ vapor lines replaced before it was driven a mile.

 

There is just something so ‘tifosi’ about the first photo....... three models in one shot, rolled up and parked in front of your house.... such a cool photo... love it. Glad to hear your 308 was restored to good health after her hot flush

 

A couple observations...lots of newer models that couldn’t have been more than a couple years old at the time of the fires. Deferred maintenance shouldn’t have been an issue. What were the causes?

I’m no fire fighter (my father was) but it seemed to me that in many of these cases the fire trucks were parked WAY too close to the burning cars.

F40 crash gets a pass from me. Racing crash fires are pretty common.

 

Interesting video compilation, but I am critical about such YT-stuff.
It gives the impression to the folks, that especially Ferraris are prone to catching fire. The stupid comments on some of the single videos of your compilation and on others showing exotics on fire confirms this.
We have around 15.000 car fires yearly alone here in Germany. Noone cares, except it's a Ferrari, Lamborghini or another exotic. Then the local newpapers mention the car maker. If it's a mundane daily driver, they report about a 'burning car', if at all.

That the number of car fires increased during the last decades is logical. Given the technology of modern high pressure fuel systems, thick electrical harnesses, catalysts... and cramped engine compartments.
The more stuff exists, the more things can go wrong.
Together with sometimes crazy maintenance costs for the normal people, it got a fateful mixture.

Two weeks ago the small city car of a 'poor' nurse here burned to the ground. Car was five years old and hasn't seen a workshop from the inside during the past four years. She told, the car was running great till that day.

Best from Germany
Martin

 

Ferrari did have a recall in the last few years related to fire hazard (some sort of problem with a panel adhesive).

So has Kia, Nissan, Hyundai, BMW, Ford, and GM. No one films a Kia on fire...because, well - Kia, Who cares. Videos like this simply create & reinforce a stigma which isn't really an accurate picture.

I think the average Ferrari is far more at risk from "bad overconfident driver" than fire.

 

Brand new 911 burned to ground on test drive! all makes burn!

 

Latest news from a neighbourhood town over here: this afternoon a LPG car exploded while filling up. Three cars filling up nearby were seriously damaged too. Owner of the LPG-car seriously hurt. Necessary helicopter flight to a specialized hospital.
Newspaper didn't mention the car make.

Best from Germany
Martin

 

Alternate fueled vehicles, Including EV plug ins! Could these turn out to be more dangerous than fueling gasoline cars?

 

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The red nozzels r two in passenger compartment and two in engine bay

 

Don't forget the MEL (minimum equipment list) thousands of aircraft dispatched every day with things 'outstanding'

 

Please don’t tell me that! I have to spend ten hours on a bloody plane several times a year to Vegas, I’ll have to tranquillise myself!

 

I’m a pilot and this is news to me.

 

Thank god for that! I was getting nervous

 

Dunno what you are flying but in most parts of the world it is well documented and used 'a lot' mainly in Airline operations.

A laymans guide to the MEL https://thinkaviation.net/minimum-equipment-list/

You would be surprised what you are allowed to fly without until it's fixed e.g Autopilot ,omg got to actually hand fly the beast!

 

I guess it depends on what model you own but I'm letting my car burn....collect the insurance and buy another....

 

Awww, don’t do it... I used to like to fly, now I’m wondering if I need to change my mind..... are we talking Virgin Atlantic having such lax procedures or just cheaper airlines?

 

These commercial aircraft have triple redundancy built into the flight control systems. ( meaning main control flight system and two back up systems ) Wouldn’t give it a second thought.