Vintage car in flames

determinus · 7th February 2011, 10:19

Not sure which thread this goes to. While returning from Mumbai, last evening, found a vintage (pre-war for sure) on the road side in flames. It'd just caught fire. We were stopped for the firemen to arrive and put out the flames. It was completely burned in a matter of few minutes. It was sad to see. Lots of people were taking pictures, but with owners standing there so heartbroken, I felt I shouldn't compound their loss.

The registration was BMW 2303. Just putting this up here, if someone knows the car/ identify it. Please remove, if inappropriate.

hillram · 7th February 2011, 10:29

sad to hear this.I wonder what exactly happens.Vintage car catching fire and being burnt down in few minutes is not heard of.
Lets see if anyone throws light on this incident.

selfdrive · 7th February 2011, 11:04

Was this on the eway or in city limits? Also, did you see any other vehicle nearby to indicate that there could have been an accident?

moralfibre · 7th February 2011, 11:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by determinus

Not sure which thread this goes to. While returning from Mumbai, last evening, found a vintage (pre-war for sure) on the road side in flames. It'd just caught fire. We were stopped for the firemen to arrive and put out the flames. It was completely burned in a matter of few minutes. It was sad to see. Lots of people were taking pictures, but with owners standing there so heartbroken, I felt I shouldn't compound their loss.

The registration was BMW 2303. Just putting this up here, if someone knows the car/ identify it. Please remove, if inappropriate.

That car was a Blue and Silver Mercedes 170V. It was a part of the VCCCI rally last weekend too. I saw the car when the flames had been extinguished at around 05:30 pm. Saw the owners other two Fiats on the Expressway a short while later.

BTW, the engine bay didn't seem to be affected by the blaze only the rear of the car caught fire. It seemed to be originating from the fuel tank / fuel lines.

harit · 7th February 2011, 12:35

Probably a problem with the wheels, and overheating of liner, wheel bearing or so. This 170V would normally have a fuel tank at the cowl in the engine compartment.
Hopefully she will be fixed.

harit

Bulldogji · 7th February 2011, 16:42

Harit is correct, the tank should be in front.Assuming that is so, for the car to go up in flames in the rear only brings to mind the possibility of a container of fuel in the dicky which may have caught fire.With due respect I dont see either liners or wheel bearings on their own catching fire.Some short circuit which ignited some flamable substance may have been the cause.A post mortem is requested for others to take pretentive steps.A very sad incident.Hope no one was hurt.

JayD · 7th February 2011, 16:48

A Really unfortunate incident. I guess all cars whether old or new should have a fire extinguisher handy. Does anyone have Any pix of the affected car?

kasli · 7th February 2011, 18:56

Unfortunate and I agree a small fire extinguisher should be kept. Have one in each and every car and regularly serviced also. I heard no one was hurt but the car. Sad ! A reason also could be that the tank and a drain cork to the tak has the pipe right above the line of the manifold bend which also could have leaked and started the fire.

Cheers

Bulldogji · 8th February 2011, 12:02

Kasli,If the car caught fire at the rear and the front was not affected,the possibility suggested by you does not make sense.the tank is in front,so are the fuel lines and obviously the manifold.So any leak as suggested by you would result in the front end catching fire first.Maybe the owner can educate us.

harit · 8th February 2011, 14:04

Car caught fire apparently due to an electrical short circuit at the rear end . Unfortunately interior is gutted. But all mechanicals appear to be saved. The aim is to rebuild the car. Anyone having interior parts for 170V prewar could offer these to the owner. Hope to see this car on roads again, and soon.

Cheers harit

kasli · 8th February 2011, 14:37

I only gave my views on what I thought could be a cause. If the short circuit happened in the rear is very rare as there is a single tail light in these models on the exterior and a roof light in the interior. So an unfortunate thing to have happened and I am more than willing to help get the car up and running and back on to the Road soon.

Cheers

7th February 2011, 10:19	#1
determinus BHPian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Pune Posts: 279 Thanked: 16 Times View My Garage	Vintage car in flames Not sure which thread this goes to. While returning from Mumbai, last evening, found a vintage (pre-war for sure) on the road side in flames. It'd just caught fire. We were stopped for the firemen to arrive and put out the flames. It was completely burned in a matter of few minutes. It was sad to see. Lots of people were taking pictures, but with owners standing there so heartbroken, I felt I shouldn't compound their loss. The registration was BMW 2303. Just putting this up here, if someone knows the car/ identify it. Please remove, if inappropriate.
	() Thanks

7th February 2011, 10:29	#2
hillram Senior - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 2,941 Thanked: 1,329 Times View My Garage	Re: Vintage car in flames sad to hear this.I wonder what exactly happens.Vintage car catching fire and being burnt down in few minutes is not heard of. Lets see if anyone throws light on this incident.
	() Thanks

7th February 2011, 11:04	#3
selfdrive Senior - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Zurich Posts: 2,960 Thanked: 3,571 Times	Re: Vintage car in flames Was this on the eway or in city limits? Also, did you see any other vehicle nearby to indicate that there could have been an accident?
	() Thanks

7th February 2011, 12:35	#5
harit Senior - BHPian Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Mumbai Posts: 4,036 Thanked: 3,311 Times	Re: Vintage car in flames Probably a problem with the wheels, and overheating of liner, wheel bearing or so. This 170V would normally have a fuel tank at the cowl in the engine compartment. Hopefully she will be fixed. harit
	() Thanks

7th February 2011, 16:42	#6
Bulldogji BHPian Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: planet earth Posts: 890 Thanked: 1,195 Times	Re: Vintage car in flames Harit is correct, the tank should be in front.Assuming that is so, for the car to go up in flames in the rear only brings to mind the possibility of a container of fuel in the dicky which may have caught fire.With due respect I dont see either liners or wheel bearings on their own catching fire.Some short circuit which ignited some flamable substance may have been the cause.A post mortem is requested for others to take pretentive steps.A very sad incident.Hope no one was hurt.
	() Thanks

7th February 2011, 16:48	#7
JayD Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Cochin! At last Posts: 3,235 Thanked: 2,616 Times View My Garage	Re: Vintage car in flames A Really unfortunate incident. I guess all cars whether old or new should have a fire extinguisher handy. Does anyone have Any pix of the affected car? Last edited by JayD : 7th February 2011 at 16:49.
	() Thanks

7th February 2011, 18:56	#8
kasli Senior - BHPian Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: BOMBAY Posts: 1,821 Thanked: 2,005 Times	Re: Vintage car in flames Unfortunate and I agree a small fire extinguisher should be kept. Have one in each and every car and regularly serviced also. I heard no one was hurt but the car. Sad ! A reason also could be that the tank and a drain cork to the tak has the pipe right above the line of the manifold bend which also could have leaked and started the fire. Cheers
	() Thanks

8th February 2011, 12:02	#9
Bulldogji BHPian Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: planet earth Posts: 890 Thanked: 1,195 Times	Re: Vintage car in flames Kasli,If the car caught fire at the rear and the front was not affected,the possibility suggested by you does not make sense.the tank is in front,so are the fuel lines and obviously the manifold.So any leak as suggested by you would result in the front end catching fire first.Maybe the owner can educate us.
	() Thanks

8th February 2011, 14:04	#10
harit Senior - BHPian Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Mumbai Posts: 4,036 Thanked: 3,311 Times	Re: Vintage car in flames Car caught fire apparently due to an electrical short circuit at the rear end . Unfortunately interior is gutted. But all mechanicals appear to be saved. The aim is to rebuild the car. Anyone having interior parts for 170V prewar could offer these to the owner. Hope to see this car on roads again, and soon. Cheers harit
	() Thanks

8th February 2011, 14:37	#11
kasli Senior - BHPian Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: BOMBAY Posts: 1,821 Thanked: 2,005 Times	Re: Vintage car in flames I only gave my views on what I thought could be a cause. If the short circuit happened in the rear is very rare as there is a single tail light in these models on the exterior and a roof light in the interior. So an unfortunate thing to have happened and I am more than willing to help get the car up and running and back on to the Road soon. Cheers
	() Thanks