Paul,
my Spitfire was rearended by a FIAT 128 once [By my friends girl-
friend!!! Long story, please don't ask... ;-( ] and subsequently
had to spend some time in the body shop... It survived the shunt
rather good, actually. I have pictures to prove it if You want...
The only thing I can say is that You should switch the spare
wheel for one of those bottles with gas and "slime" in them...
By pure chance I had removed the spare that same morning for some
reason, and that prevented the tire from being pushed into the
petrol tank. Now the rear of the Spit acted as a modern car,
collapsing upon impact and absorbing most of the force.
[The back rest of the drivers seat also took a blow when abruptly
trying to accelerate 95 kg of me forward... Had to be welded also...]
Hope this info is useful to You. Your wife can rest assured the
Spitfire [without the spare wheel!] is as safe as can be in a
accident from behind.
Rolling it over is something entirely different... ;-) Makes the
windscreen just about three inches high. Been there, done that too.
Not on my own car though, thankfully.
Yours
Odd
PS May I say I support You in Your political incorrectness...
My ex is also a Triumph nut - but it still doesn't make
her one tiny bit more human...
So don't apologise for Your wife, she might become Your ex
in shorter time than one can imagine. ;-(
PPS I've donned my asbestos suit... Go flaming!!!
Paul Nelson wrote:
>
> This may seem like a question from someone with a little paranoia
> and it's for my wife so go figure. As my 76 Spitfire is getting closer
> to being road-worthy, my VERY safety minded wife wants to know the
> likelyhood of a Spitfire exploding when rear ended. Given the location
> of the fuel tank. She doesn't want want the kids(who really want to
> take a ride)at ANY risk. I don't either, but I told her she was being
> over protective and not to worry.
> Does she have any just cause(besides being a woman)to be concerned
> about this?
> Thanks,Paul Nelson
> 76 Spitfire
--
Odd Hedberg
Pomonagatan 4 International liaison secretary,
S-74236 Östhammar Triumph Club of Sweden
Sweden '70 Spitfire Mk3 FD82497LO Signal Red
E-mail: odd@triumphclub.se
Club URL: http://www2.passagen.se/triumph/
Home Telephone: Int+ 46-1731 7131
Geographical Position: N 60deg15min E 18deg23min
------------------------------------------------------------
|