Fuel filling behind the RHS taillight

[chrisp]

Two words. Ford Pinto
History lesson.
In the 70's Ford built a compact car called the Pinto.
After a few fatalities, it was discoved that if hit from behind while an indicator was on, the vehicle would explode.
This was due to the blinker being adjacent the fuel tank. Fire plus fuel vapor etc.
The problem was that Ford did the "numbers" (Edward Norton in fight club style) and chose to pay out damages as opposed to fixing the problem.
They effectively put a price on people lives.
End History lesson

[Dr Terry]

Two words. Ford Pinto
History lesson.
In the 70's Ford built a compact car called the Pinto.
After a few fatalities, it was discoved that if hit from behind while an indicator was on, the vehicle would explode.
This was due to the blinker being adjacent the fuel tank. Fire plus fuel vapor etc.
The problem was that Ford did the "numbers" (Edward Norton in fight club style) and chose to pay out damages as opposed to fixing the problem.
They effectively put a price on people lives.
End History lesson

The Ford Pinto problem was more than just fuel tank location, the car was a disaster looking for a place to happen.

I read that one of the other issues was an assembly line problem. Many owners complained of constant fuel smells. They were traced to the fact that many cars had the carpet on the rear cargo floor secured by staples, many of which actually pierced the top of the fuel tank. Some cars were so bad that the carpet itself was constantly fuel-soaked.

Dr Terry