(This is a sad story - only for people who are not weak hearted. Get a cup of coffee, hankies, sit back and read/learn)

On 5 October 2003, 16:20, my 74 (aka BLISS) shot a piston right through the block and left me heartbroken. (Currently being fixed up)
Today, 6 December 2003, 10:20, my 71 (aka BlueBoy) caught fire.

What is it with these babies? Do they all have colic?

I bought BlueBoy a month ago and the licensing was finalised yesterday. Tomorrow we would have attended our first event (a Toy Run - which brought me to another thought - Next year the first run should be for the "Elmien Corvette Trust" instead of a soft toy the people will bring stuff like a distibutor cap, rubber hoses, harness, fuel pump ) But that is now only a dream. (I would have added a sad face here, but there is just not a face sad enough on the whole web to describe my feelings)

This will however not keep me away from the event - I will still attend, however not in a suitable vehicle...

The lesson I have learnt from this (and this I suggest you take serious - as it could happen to you too):
1) Make sure you have an extinguisher (which I luckily had)
2) Make sure it is big enough (which mine wasn't)

I am going to replace my extinguisher with two extinguishers. One will be a 2kg (+- 4.4 pounds) or bigger. The second one will be a 1kg (+- 2.2 pounds) extinguisher.

Why two?
Use the bigger extinguisher first. Once your precious is on fire you do not think straight and you try to cover the whole area (which is good), but before you know it, the extinguisher is EMPTY!!! By now most of the flames should be out.
Then, you take a deep breath and use the smaller one WISELY.

For those who "rusted" a bit on fire control - take note - UNRUST! Make sure you know what to do in this situation. Remember that sand is also very useful - don't mind the paint - you will have to respray anyway.
(which could also be a good thing)

It all happens very fast, but feels like an eternity - believe you me.

Luckily, James & Andrew (to stangers from nowhere) came to assist, as well as other people, who's names I don't have. To all you guys - A BIG THANK YOU!!! You saved my baby.

I hope that you guys can benifit from my experience - although I wish and pray that none of you ever ends up in this.

Well, as the saying goes - Such is life (and I also add) and tomorrow it continues.

Elmien
(The link below refers now to the "before look" of BlueBoy. Will replace it with a new one, once the repairs are finished. BlueBoy will then be "gone" and an original "Steel Cities Grey" will see the light again)

Hey Raycraze...I'm really sorry to hear your loss. What happened with the 71, was it electrical or gas? I hope that the old saying doesn't apply here. You know that things come in three's.

The problem seems to be that the Needle&Seat got stuck, the carburettor flooded and voila - FIRE!

I will contact the insurance on Monday to hear what they have to say, only after that we could realy have a look. I don't want to mess around to much now.

I will post the outcome, should it be benifitial to anyone.

Elmien (this is what I am enjoying now - after a very "unplanned" eventful day)

really sorry to here that. hope you're OK.
tough lesson, great advice. will put that on my Christmas list for any late shoppers.

Here is a clickable link http://www.rogerscorvette.com/free/vanwyk.htm She sure was a beauty. The fire extinguisher is a good idea.

|UPDATED|12/6/2003 11:04:19 AM (AZT)|/UPDATED|

Oh my gosh, you went and did it now lassie! I'm sorry to hear a friend lost her toy, but alas, she has a spare.
Way back in 71, my 69 caught fire at a stop light. I did not have the fore thought to have a pail of sand or other fire fighting implements on hand, just my jacket. The carb. blew a gasket. The tow truck picked me up and off we went to the repair shop. No body damage, I raised the hood to look where the smoke was comming from. A new holley carb and accel dist. were installed. Never thought about insurance at the time.
Months later, I got my renewal notice and saw "fire theft" insurance under comp. So I called, GIECO my carrier at the time.
The agent looked at the car, took my bills and said to bring it to the dealer and get the hood repainted.
Nice of them. I hope you have the same type of agent handling your claim.
God be with you and your toys. Thank him for not being trapped in the vette do to stupid seat belts that don't unhook!
Mike & Shirl