Taken yesterday [02-21-10] on the 101. Is that a Challenge Stradale?? Holy crap what a loss Image Unavailable, Please Login
More spontaneous combustion I see. Hard to tell if it's a stradooly? The wheels sure indicate so, I thinks it's a 360 though.
Sorry, didn't mention that, the occupant was away from the car. It was taken by my office mate. He showed it to me this morning.
Looks to be fuel burning as there's flames on the ground. I'm assuming a fuel line compromise ignited by the hot cats right below the engine.
It was my car. Driving on the 101 and smelled gas. Looked at the cars in front of me to see if there was an old clunker running rich but there was not. The gas smell was coming from me! Decided I better pull over and inspect. Looked back to change lanes and look at engine compartment. All looked normal and of course nobody wanted to let me over. After the 3rd lane change and looking back there were now flames in the engine bay. Made an aggressive lane change and pulled over knowing I had a few seconds to get out and maybe grab some belongings. Hit the trunk button and jumped out. Trunk was still locked! Jumped back in flaming car and hit button again and heard it release. Grabbed briefcase and ran away from car which was now engulfed. Of course it is insured but it is very sad to watch your favorite car that you pamper and truly enjoy burn to the ground. It is like watching your dog get hit by a car. I felt sad that my car was destroyed and slept outdoors in an impound lot last night. Sad day for Ferrari's
Late model ferraris seem to burn way too often. I would put in that cool automatic fire system that NoDoubt has in his engine compartment. I think they were marine grade units and cheap making it cheap insurance.
I'd say if these things are engineered to where they randomly go up than let her burn. Not sure if those auto fire systems would help you in a severe crash and if so that would totally be worth it. Otherwise, just let insurance deal with the crispy blob on the ground.
Glad you're OK. I'm curious does the car explode under these circumstances? Or, does it just go up real quick, fueled by gas? If explosion, obviously going back was a pretty risky move but I suspect that it just gets engulfed in flames real quick. Come to think of it I seem to recall the fire in Newport that involved the kids had an explosion.
Burn repairs are never a good thing. As long as lives are not at stake better to let it burn and be a total loss claim.
Sorry to hear about your situation. Glad you're safe, sad for the Ferrari. Another one will come along though!
Make sure the fuel lines to the injector rails are inspected regularly, or replaced regularly. But too late now Good thing you're ok. Interesting that it's your first post?
I am really sorry to hear about that, you have my condolences. I have almost the exact same 360 so I know what it would feel like. After a month's vacation driving in S. CA (mostly Malibu mountains), I can relate to what you said about traffic not letting you over, even in this life-threatening situation. Sorry to say it, but SoCal has the rudest, most agressive, impolite, ****** drivers I've ever encountered anywhere on the planet. Glad you are OK, spend some time grieving, and get another 360!
All that really matters is that you are fine, Limo. I hope you can replace it soon enough (after you get over the shock of course). I guess a routine inspection, before you even get in and drive, of fuel lines are in order for 360s. It would be interesting to find out if the fuel leak was due to a bad clamp or dry rot. Now you don't have an excuse not to get a Scuderia.