The Day My 355 Died | FerrariChat
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The Day My 355 Died

Discussion in 'United Kingdom' started by EK3R, Apr 8, 2005.

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  1. EK3R

    EK3R Formula Junior

    Mar 26, 2004
    828
    FL
    Full Name:
    Eric K
    #1 EK3R, Apr 8, 2005
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Some of you already know that I had a serious incident in my 355 last Sunday on the way to the K1 meet. At the time I was pretty upset about it, and asked for it to be kept from being posted on this board, thank you to those of you that knew and have repected that.

    I am now over the shock of it, and feel I ought to let everyone know the full story.

    I had met Tony, James (JRS) and I think ti was Paul at the Hilton in Cobham to drive in convoy to Westerham. We were travelling on the M25, and came off at J4. At this point Tony and Paul were ahead of me, and James was behind. As I came onto the slip road, something strange happened to the engine, and it seemed to suddenly lose power as if it were running on 2 cylinders or something. At that point James came alongside me and told me there was smoke coming out of the back of the car. I immediately pulled over on the roundabout and got out, James stopped in front of me. We both went to the rear of the car to see flames coming out of the right hand side of the bumper. James took the fire extinguisher from his Challenge car and we proceeded to empty the contents around the right hand side of the bumper / in the engine. Unfortunately this did not put out the (at that time very small) fire that had started.

    I grabbed what I could from the car and James and I headed away from the car fearing the worst. Called the Fire and Police services, during this time the fire took hold and had turned into a bit of an inferno at the rear of the car. James had his camera with him for the meet, and I said he should take some photgraphs. A random RAC man turned up, and also emptied an entire fire extingusher on the car to no avail. At this point we were worried the tanks were going to explode (just filled up) as the fire was raging, and moved James car to a safe distance. Another chap in a 328 also called Eric had stopped at this point to offer assistance.

    Fire brigade turned up and had the fire out in a couple of minutes, unfortunately the back end of the car was gutted by that point.

    An insurance claim is obviously going through now, at the beginning of this week there was no way on earth I was considering getting another F-Car after this, but now my thoughts are changing slightly, and have considered looking at them again.

    Just happy I am here to tell the tale to you all!

    My advise from this? Carry at least a fire extinguisher with you - even though it didn't precent the fire in this case - and look at the possibility of something along the lines of what James has in his car - a plumbed in system - a few hundred quid I think, but I think it might have saved my car.

    Can I say a huge thank you to first and foremost James for staying with me through the whole incident, and then taking me on to the meet (horrible feeling turning up in a car park with a load of F-Cars when yours has just been destroyed), Tony for giving me a lift home, Eric for helping out at the side of the road, and everyone there who offered their sympathy.

    Now I know you all want to see the pictures so here you go. A very very sad sight indeed - this is no way for a Ferrari to go.
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  2. EK3R

    EK3R Formula Junior

    Mar 26, 2004
    828
    FL
    Full Name:
    Eric K
    #2 EK3R, Apr 8, 2005
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  3. tomw

    tomw Formula 3

    Feb 25, 2004
    2,413
    London
    Full Name:
    Tom
    #3 tomw, Apr 8, 2005
    :( Very sad to see. Good to know no-one was hurt, though. I seem to recall another 355 going out like that in London within 6 months?
     
  4. All ON U

    All ON U Formula Junior

    Feb 25, 2005
    334
    London, UK
    Full Name:
    Sonu
    #4 All ON U, Apr 8, 2005
    Eric. I am so so sorry to hear what happened to your car. Thank God you were unhurt. For now if you want to ride to a meet you are more than welcome to come with me. Hopefully everything will be sorted out soon and you will be back in a F-car again.

    Peter
     
  5. hedge

    hedge Formula 3

    Jun 11, 2003
    2,320
    England
    Full Name:
    Marc
    #5 hedge, Apr 8, 2005
    Gutted for you looking at the pics. Horrible, sorry to see it. I notice you are London based, if you fancy hitching a ride to a future meet I am attending, just shout.
     
  6. matkat

    matkat Formula 3

    Mar 18, 2003
    1,840
    Scotland
    Full Name:
    Dave McGuire
    #6 matkat, Apr 8, 2005
    Eric,very sad to see(understatement)as a fellow 355 owner and in light of the previous 355 fire in London to which Tom refers is there any indication of what caused this fire?
    Thanks
    Dave Mc
     
  7. Modificata

    Modificata F1 Rookie

    Apr 27, 2003
    2,654
    Hampton, England
    Full Name:
    Andy Rasool
    #7 Modificata, Apr 8, 2005
    Eric

    Very sad to see your pics and read the story. I know exactly how u feel because my first ferrari went up in flames too. I remember thinking at the time all the dreams and hard work were just being destroyed. But im glad you are looking forward now and contemplating another ferrari. For me it wasnt if I would buy another one but when.

    Any ideas what caused the incident? I remember we spoke about this before on fchat at how there are so many 355 engine fires. I spoke to a ferrari mechanic once about it and i think he said the fuel lines on these were not upto the job. I might be wrong about that but i think thats what he said.

    You are fortunate that nobody was injured. Cars can be replaced but lives cant. Best of luck.
     
  8. EK3R

    EK3R Formula Junior

    Mar 26, 2004
    828
    FL
    Full Name:
    Eric K
    #8 EK3R, Apr 8, 2005
    No idea on the cause as yet - am hoping the investigations that the insurance company will be carrying out will shed some light on this. I would certainly like to know, and it may help me in either deciding to buy another, or not.

    It is a sad end to the dream, I have had numerous Porsches in the past and have never had a single moments drama with them - my first F-Car ends up going up in a fireball - not a good ending. As I say though I am hoping to regain the confidence to buy another, as no matter how capable or competent / fast a Porsche is, it is not the same as driving a Ferrari.
     
  9. paulm

    paulm Rookie

    Dec 7, 2004
    46
    Bucks
    Full Name:
    Paul M
    #9 paulm, Apr 8, 2005
    Hi Eric - good to see you're ok and considering buying another. i just felt gutted for you last sunday. keep in touch and let me know which meet you can make next - i'll pick you up and you can have a spin in the 550 to see if you like it. cheers m8, Paul. :)
     
  10. Modificata

    Modificata F1 Rookie

    Apr 27, 2003
    2,654
    Hampton, England
    Full Name:
    Andy Rasool
    #10 Modificata, Apr 8, 2005
    Couldnt agree more. Porsche are fantastic cars, and in some ways better. But it doesnt have the special factor like ferrari's do.
     
  11. qaev

    qaev Karting

    Jul 22, 2004
    67
    UK
    Full Name:
    Quentin
    #11 qaev, Apr 8, 2005
    Eric

    Sorry to see such a sad sight. Not the way any of us want to see the car of our dreams go. Hope the insurance pays out soon and you are able to replace such a lovely car.

    Q
     
  12. Modificata

    Modificata F1 Rookie

    Apr 27, 2003
    2,654
    Hampton, England
    Full Name:
    Andy Rasool
    #12 Modificata, Apr 8, 2005
    Mine also caught fire. Can I drive your 550 too! :)
     
  13. 355fiorano

    355fiorano Formula Junior

    Oct 21, 2003
    782
    London
    Full Name:
    Philip
    #13 355fiorano, Apr 8, 2005
    Eric, I am really sorry to see what happened to your car. It's a real shame. I hope however that it leaves no lasting "sports car traumas" and that as soon as you get your money back you'll be back for more !

    Cheers
    Philip
     
  14. stevep

    stevep F1 Veteran

    Jan 19, 2004
    8,345
    Geordie Land
    Full Name:
    steve
    #14 stevep, Apr 8, 2005
    I had heard about it mate and didnt post. Sad to see. Suspect would have to be fuel lines. Hope you get another soon

    steve
     
  15. jrs

    jrs Formula 3

    Jun 14, 2003
    1,672
    UK
    Full Name:
    James S
    #15 jrs, Apr 8, 2005
    Eric

    It was a pleasure being able to at least try and help. Pretty scary at one point when the flames were way above the level of the car.

    I thought that you were remarkably composed throughout the incident and I am pleased that you have come around and are considering another 355.

    As everyone has pointed out fortunately no harm done to you and the car can be replaced.

    Good luck and see you on a drive-out soon !
    James
     
  16. kenyon

    kenyon F1 Rookie

    Oct 7, 2002
    2,837
    East Yorkshire
    Full Name:
    Justin Kenyon
    #16 kenyon, Apr 9, 2005
    Sorry to hear about your Ferrari. I know what your going through in someways. Lost my ferrari after 1 hour from picking it. Write it off at 30 mph....
    To top it all off I was told that I was not insured with insrance company.

    I really cannot believe yours caught fire. Its could have been really bad if you was stuck in traffic jam no where to go.


    Well I hope you get another Ferrari and things will work out. Your next Ferrari will be better then the first. Well, thats how it turned out for me....

    All the best...
     
  17. ferrari355gtb

    ferrari355gtb Formula 3

    Nov 3, 2003
    1,600
    UK
    Full Name:
    R
    #17 ferrari355gtb, Apr 9, 2005
    Eric - really sorry to see this happen, glad you're OK.

    Rick
     
  18. steve f

    steve f F1 World Champ

    Mar 15, 2004
    12,119
    12cylinder town
    Full Name:
    steve
    #18 steve f, Apr 9, 2005
    Eric hope you are ok and not put of ferrari's by this incident it is a fairly common thing for ferrari's to go on fire i think its the alloy nut ends on the fuel lines that crack and spray fuel out at pressure
     
  19. ferrarimadbloke

    ferrarimadbloke Karting

    Aug 19, 2004
    188
    Porthcawl S.Wales
    Full Name:
    Leyton Thomas
    #19 ferrarimadbloke, Apr 9, 2005
    Eric,
    Really saddened by the pics of your Ferrari going up in flames, must have been horrible to watch knowing that there is very little you can do about it.
    If you're ever down my neck of the woods (South Wales) and need a ride give us a shout.
     
  20. GrahamS

    GrahamS F1 Veteran
    BANNED

    May 29, 2004
    5,480
    24 hours from Tulsa
    Full Name:
    Grandmaster G
    #20 GrahamS, Apr 9, 2005
    Awful pictures :(

    If that ever happens to me I hope I can be as mature about it as you've been
     
  21. 400SPYDER

    400SPYDER F1 Rookie

    Jul 7, 2004
    3,473
    Kent, England
    Full Name:
    kevan
    #21 400SPYDER, Apr 9, 2005
    Eric not sure what to say that hasn't already been said - other than to echo Graham's sentiments.

    Great to see the camaraderie of Fchat - especially James(top man) - that alone must be worth continuing the unique experience of owning an Fcar.

    Hope to see you with that huge Ferrari grin again soon.
     
  22. tonyh

    tonyh F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Dec 23, 2002
    14,372
    S W London
    Full Name:
    Tony H
    #22 tonyh, Apr 9, 2005
    Hi m8,
    the pics are still shocking a week later, aren't they? Glad you're holding up well and are considering a replacement 355. Let me know if you need a lift to AutoItalia or next meet.
    Rgds
    Tony
     
  23. Andy hls

    Andy hls Formula Junior

    Dec 17, 2003
    653
    Kent UK
    Full Name:
    Andy
    #23 Andy hls, Apr 9, 2005
    Eric im gutted for you,good luck with what ever you decide to do next.
     
  24. NaeemT

    NaeemT Formula Junior

    Apr 7, 2005
    456
    Birmingham (UK)
    Full Name:
    NaeemT
    #24 NaeemT, Apr 9, 2005
    Eric man Very sorry to c ur car like that i feel well sick. im glad no one was hurt, thats the main thing. **** happens and some times theres nothing u can do about it. Good luck mate i hope u get another or something better.
    sorry again.
     
  25. Badapple

    Badapple Formula Junior

    Nov 20, 2003
    875
    West London
    Full Name:
    Phil
    #25 Badapple, Apr 9, 2005
    Gutted for you mate, to watch something your so passionate about & have worked so hard for just be destroyed in front of you must be soul destroying.

    Hope your back on the road asap!
     
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