The Day My 355 Died

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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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?

 

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

 

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.

 

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

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

Couldnt agree more. Porsche are fantastic cars, and in some ways better. But it doesnt have the special factor like ferrari's do.

 

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

 

Mine also caught fire. Can I drive your 550 too!

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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...

 

Eric - really sorry to see this happen, glad you're OK.

Rick

 

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

 

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.

 

Awful pictures

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

 

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.

 

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

 

Eric im gutted for you,good luck with what ever you decide to do next.

 

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.

 

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!