Worst day ever... she's gone

[Buzz]

Wow, Luke - condolences man! Like others have said, thank heavens it wasn't worse. Sounds like a beautiful car - Unique does sell a nice product.

I can partially relate - out of sheer luck I dodged that same bullet. I got home one evening after a really nice drive and when I got out of the car in the garage I heard a sound like dripping water and got a very strong smell of gasoline.

I looked under the car and gas was literally pouring out of the mechanical fuel pump not far from the very hot headers. I reached in and jammed the shifter into neutral and pushed the car out of the garage away from the house, expecting it to burst into flames at any second. Luckily it didn't and I put the old spare fuel pump on next morning. The diaphragm in the old one had apparently ruptured but I couldn't tell while driving.

In your case it does sound like brake fluid was dripping directly onto the exhaust. Really sorry for your loss, but like the guys said - let the insurance company earn some of the money you've been paying them, pick the pieces and move on to the next adventure. Best of luck.

[cycleguy55]

Man, that sucks! Good to hear nobody was injured in this. It could have been much worse.

[wkooiman]

Wow! That's got to be one of the worst stories I've ever heard. Okay, not the worst, I've heard some pretty and ones, but man!

I thought you were going to talk about seller's remorse.

This is the time for some stiff alcohol, and then do like other's have said... Let your insurance company do their job, don't let them stiff you on the value, and rebuild it. Okay maybe not rebuild it, but build one just like it, and fix whatever bothered you about the car.

[Luke427]

Thanks guys, I really appreciate.

Another unfortunate point is that about two weeks before the accident I switched to another insurance company. Had the car covered, paid the policy cash but didn't have the contract in hand nor have a written value for the car.
So as of today I don't even know how much they will cover

I have a bad feeling I'm going to lose a load of money in addition to have lost my silver bullet. That sucks.

Finally I'm ready to post some pics. I feel stupid being emotional seeing them each time, the sentiment of being powerless is terrible.

A couple minutes after I understood the car was burning, trying to call 911 and calling for help around:


Another few minutes later, things get worse:


At this point it's been about 25 minutes and that's when I start to understand she's lost for ever:


Firemen on site, it's been more than half an hour, she's totally gone:


My guess so far is that only the engine block is worse salvaging. Heads are probably cracked or too stressed anyway (aluminum). Tranny gear set could be used as well. I haven't had access to the car but I guess it's all fu@$3d up

[Dimis]

Dude! What can one say?
Those pics are a bummer.
Glad no one got hurt and best wishes for the future.

Ps. Buy your self a lottery ticket. Surly, you're due for some good luck

[Super.Snake]

As a potential newbie, this stuff worries me. Luke's leaking brake line leading to a fire. Then, Buzz's leaking gas, almost resulting in a house fire.

Are these extreme rare examples, or things to be worried about? I expect maintenance and tinkering, but not necessarily this. BTW-I'm leaning towards Superformance.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by Super.Snake

Are these extreme rare examples, or things to be worried about? I expect maintenance and tinkering, but not necessarily this. BTW-I'm leaning towards Superformance.

These are extreme examples. The only car I have ever had catch on fire was made by General Motors. It happens. For fuel and brake lines, you should only use braided steel lines and you should inspect your car before you drive it as if it were a helicopter (which are very difficult to safely land if they stall in mid-air or catch on fire).

[Super.Snake]

Originally Posted by patrickt

you should inspect your car before you drive it as if it were a helicopter...

Is this really what you guys do (or should do) with these?

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by Super.Snake

Is this really what you guys do (or should do) with these?

Yep, I'm not kidding you.

[trularin]

Very sorry to hear of your loss.

Tru

[dcdoug]

Originally Posted by patrickt

These are extreme examples. The only car I have ever had catch on fire was made by General Motors. It happens. For fuel and brake lines, you should only use braided steel lines and you should inspect your car before you drive it as if it were a helicopter (which are very difficult to safely land if they stall in mid-air or catch on fire).

It is also worth carrying an additional fire extinguisher in the trunk. I have a v small one mounted in the cabin, but a larger ColdFire fire extinguisher in the trunk.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by dcdoug

It is also worth carrying an additional fire extinguisher in the trunk. I have a v small one mounted in the cabin, but a larger ColdFire fire extinguisher in the trunk.

I do the same. I keep a nice fancy Halotron clean unit in the cockpit, in case it's my car that's on fire, and an old fashioned messy powder extinguisher in the trunk, in case it's your car that's on fire.

[Phx Mike]

Originally Posted by patrickt

Yep, I'm not kidding you.

Yes - every single time. Fuel lines, clutch line, steering linkage, spinners, brake lines. And if something does not sound or feel right when leaving, I turn around. These are hand made cars.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by Phx Mike

...if something does not sound or feel right.

Or smell right. My last two leaks I have actually smelled first (gas and coolant).

[Moto One]

Sorry, things happen, if the insurance co cashed the check you should be covered.
It's also good that this was a wet winter here on the west coast, and that the fire didn't spread. Now about fire extinguisher's; Dry chem., Halon will extinguish the flames, but not reduce the heat, or block O2 so there is always a chance of re-ignition. (knowledge from a past life as a firefighter). We carry a 2 gal garden sprayer container of water as backup (cheep insurance), also good for other on road needs.

Mark

[Buzz]

Luke, those pics really hit where it hurts. Glad you're gradually coping with the disappointment. Let us know how things progress.

Originally Posted by Super.Snake

As a potential newbie, this stuff worries me. Luke's leaking brake line leading to a fire. Then, Buzz's leaking gas, almost resulting in a house fire.

Are these extreme rare examples, or things to be worried about? I expect maintenance and tinkering, but not necessarily this. BTW-I'm leaning towards Superformance.

Fires happen in other, factory built cars as well. I had the same leaking fuel pump issue with a '74 Trans Am many years ago in Canada. It didn't catch on fire either but then the ambient temperature was much lower than it was here with the Cobra.

The good thing about these cars is that everything is right there and easy to access and inspect.

[Luke427]

Super snake: in 2001 my brand new Audi had a fire start in the dashboard. That was an AC controller defect that was known to Audi. It was handled quickly and controlled but could have burned the whole car. So that can happen on ANY car and is always rare and extreme.
Also we talk and write a lot about our Cobras and other cool cars. Joe Driver doesn't post pics of his PT Cruiser flammed - which is actually a good thing: one less ugly car on Earth!

[Luke427]

The lesson learned for me and I guess we should all educate ourselves about extinguishers:
- first purpose is to get yourself a way out
- second to help someone get out
- third only to stop a fire, and for that purpose you need a serious extinguisher that has the right chemicals in large enough quantity and more importantly that has enough range to keep you safe. You don't want to get too close.

I don't know what I will get next. I'm thinking of a Daytona Coupe maybe...

[1795]

The best way to fight a fire is with a fire system that targets the engine and passenger compartment; some even can cover three zones which would then include the fuel tank. Pull the switch and get the hell out of the car! You can get a decent system for about $400. You do not need a $1,000 system, but if you can afford it, go for it.

A Daytona Coupe would be sweet...

[HealeyRick]

There's probably a million things worse in life than the loss of a car, but if you're a car guy you understand how much this hurts. Hope everything works out for you.