Hi,
I finally got my dream 66 mustang convertible. I have wanted one for years and finally brought one home a couple weeks ago. A friend of mine mentioned the problem with rear-end collisions and gas being thrown into the passenger compartment. My mustang is in great shape, but has not been refurbished. First of all, how serious are these gas tank issues and secondly, what is the best way to prevent such an occurence? I drive my kids around in my car and would never forgive myself if they were ever injured like this. I have seen the special gas tanks, I think they are mostly used for racing.I have also heard that a piece of steel can be cut and bolted in behind the rear seats (I think). Anybody have any information on this? I did a search, and was surprised not to find any previous posts on this topic. Elsewhere on the web, I have seen the Mustang compared to the Pinto because of this gas-tank issue. Thanks so much for any information you have...
Theresa

 

I wouldn't worry about that too much. There was actually a thread which was somewhat related to this on the topic of fuel cells about a week ago that you can probably track down. Everything you said about the steel wall and stronger tanks is true but in the thread which I just mentioned most people agreed it's not a concern the way disc brakes or 3point seatbelts are. We don't have anywhere near the problems pintos had.

 

Don't drive in fear, cover your family and yourself in bubble wrap. The gas tank explosion is a normal concern but the number of incidents is low. You are more likely to be struck by lightning. I've done some searching on the web myself and found many 'hearsay' and 'inuendo' references but not too many facts. Yes, they did happen years ago. Many Ford automobiles and other manufacturer's cars had gas tank problems. But consider this, if your convertible is a pleasure car, not a daily driver or commute car, your driving habits are going to be more of a concern to yourself and your family. Bottom line, enjoy.
Jim

 

I say you will be fine. You can cut a peice of steel and fit it up there, and it may hold off a fire for a minute, but not for long. Your car is still here after 40 years, and so is mine. In fact, mine was in a huge rear end collision at one time, but it never burned. The Pintos, on the other hand ...

 

Jim,

Would you put the "steering wheel shaft through the chest" concern in the same category? For one, the steering box is located behind the shock tower not way up front like it is ona Jeep. Additionally, without a shoulder belt, you're likely to still do a face plant in the dash or windshield anyway, right? Once you add three point belts and maybe some headrests to help against whiplash, hasn't most of the statistically likelydanger been addressed?

Curious,
Jeff

 

If you are a teenager, the bubble wrap is a necessity. The concern was the gas tank, not overall safety upgrades. You can add every current upgrade and it will not prevent someone talking on a cell phone from hitting you in the rear.
Jim

 

I agree with you Jim. You were mentioning the probability of the gas tank being an issue as being very small and most of the reported dangers being hearsay based on your searching. I was simply wondering if the "danger" of the solid steering shaft is mostly a product of hearsay as well. I haven't done any research, but cannot recall seeing evidence of its actual danger either.

Dangerous or not, it still has to be safer than riding a motorcycle, right?

 

Now that you mention it, how manyother safetyfeatures are forced on us as a result of some do-gooder bureaucrat's dream (wet?)?
I agree on seat belts. I agree on air bags - because in today's driving where a cell phone is glued to an ear, a cup of coffee is in one hand and a breakfast Jack in the other, you can't put 100 percent of your attention into what you're supposed to be doing -drive.
Jim

 

The classic mustang doesn't have any more of a danger of the gas tank blowing up than any other rear tank car. Yes, you can get a very expensive fuel cell, or at least tank armor and a steel plate to go behind the back seat, but what about those speaker holes in the package tray? If I were you, I would follow the advice of the guys who have posted and stop worrying about it and enjoy your classic as it is.

 

Thanks for all the replies. I did find that other thread and is was very helpful, thanks 67Sally! The tank armour and steel sheet behind the seats seem like pretty simple and inexpensive things to do for peace of mind. I think I will go ahead and make those changes.