Remember the Pinto explosion - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

*mrhino* · 11-17-2012, 09:54 AM

I was going through some old photos and found this one. I know its not a chevy truck, but were all " car guys" and it is apart of automotive history. I hope it reminds all of us to be safe out there too!

On August 10, 1978, three teenage girls were heading down US 33 in 1973 Ford Pinto. The girls stopped on the right lane of the highway shoulder. A van modified with a wood plank for a front bumper and a driver apparently high on marijuana was traveling at fifty five miles an hour and stuck the back of the stopped Pinto. The pinto exploded and burst into flames as a result of the impact. Two of the girls died at the scene. The driver was half ejected. I believe her foot was caught and could not get away. she was badly burned and died on the way to the hospital.

My father was there, (he is the one in the middle of the pic with his back to the camera). He helped extricate the girls. To hear her story first hand, must have been horrifying.

cdowns · 11-17-2012, 10:30 AM

and everybody cant wait to put thier gastanks in that old tried and tru pinto location on these trucks

sjarrett71 · 11-17-2012, 10:46 AM

And they say marijuana is harmless.

ubtripn · 11-17-2012, 10:49 AM

That is actually a valid point, I have thought about location of the tank there.

GASoline71 · 11-17-2012, 10:51 AM

Remember when one of the primetime news shows (like 60 minutes, or Dateline...) did a story on the side saddle gas tanks in the GM trucks back in the early 90's? They doctored up a truck so one of the tanks would explode on impact to "prove" how unsafe the were. The video they replayed over and over got everybody all worried about nothing. I was driving a 1979 GMC K25 High Sierra at the time, and my then wife was worried sick about me driving it. The news show finally came clean about a year later that they actually rigged the explosion. If I recall GM sued and won.

Gary

67ChevyRedneck · 11-17-2012, 10:56 AM

Those poor girls, they'd all be around 50 now. A perfect storm of bad car design and absolute stupidty. I hope the driver got a hefty prison sentence.

**twouvakind** · 11-17-2012, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cdowns

and everybody cant wait to put thier gastanks in that old tried and tru pinto location on these trucks

Yeah, our tanks are in the cab for a reason.

**LockDoc** · 11-17-2012, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cdowns

and everybody cant wait to put thier gastanks in that old tried and tru pinto location on these trucks

Heard that. I would rather have mine in the cab. Granted the truck is much stronger in the back than the pinto was but in a hard rear impact it is still susceptible to rupture.

LockDoc

ubtripn · 11-17-2012, 11:08 AM

I do remember the dateline conspiracy to "recreate" the problem.
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ubtripn · 11-17-2012, 11:10 AM

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**twouvakind** · 11-17-2012, 11:17 AM

Interesting related article:

http://walterolson.com/articles/gmtrucks.html

ubtripn · 11-17-2012, 11:18 AM

I remember reading that Ford actually did a study at first to determine if recalling would be less than the law suits. To me that's criminal enough to have the execs serve time. The problem was definitely a perfect storm of 3 things. What I read was that the tank would be ruptured and then ignited by a bolt on the diff right when a seam between the driver and passenger would tear open. So the gas would enter the interior like a geyser and ignite. Absolutely horrible. It took more than one of the above accidents before action was taken. Lee Iacooca known for the saying, "safety doesn't sell" was involved. Very sad indeed.
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**twouvakind** · 11-17-2012, 11:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LockDoc

Heard that. I would rather have mine in the cab. Granted the truck is much stronger in the back than the pinto was but in a hard rear impact it is still susceptible to rupture.

LockDoc

Rupture, yes. More probable might be the filler neck(failure)fabs that owners looking to relocate struggle with.

BarryB · 11-17-2012, 11:19 AM

Were the pinto tanks like the ones in mustangs? where the top of the tank was the trunk floor? I've always heard about the pinto gas tanks, but never really looked at or worked on one.

ubtripn · 11-17-2012, 11:20 AM

I was wrong, it appears they knew about it going into production and did the cost/benefit analysis at that time.
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pritch · 11-17-2012, 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BarryB

Were the pinto tanks like the ones in mustangs? where the top of the tank was the trunk floor? I've always heard about the pinto gas tanks, but never really looked at or worked on one.

Pintos were more of a hatch-back, IIRC, and didn't really have a 'trunk', but as I was reading this, I was thinking that the Mustangs were just as likely to explode as the Pintos were.

dan42 · 11-17-2012, 03:27 PM

The in cab or between frame rails is an old discussion. The fact of the matter is if you have 20 gallons of flammable liquid in a vehicle that is involved in high speed crash you will always have a certain amount of risk. I guess it just depends on how close you want to be to that flammable liquid. In the Pinto's case, the gas tank was not located between two large frame rails, and the passengers were much more likely to be exposed to ignited fuel.

68shortstep · 11-17-2012, 03:36 PM

Yep, & yet the most desirable Mustangs are the hatchbacks, that yes, the back "floor" of the hatch area "trunk" was the top of the gas tank. You did have a nice layer of carpet over it back there to protect you, though.

I had a buddy who had a mint green hatchback '66 pony-interior Hi-perf 271 horse (I think) 289 with 4-spd, who got rid of his car after this sad Pinto story hit the media. First pony interior car I ever saw.

I just couldn't afford the $ 2,000 he was asking for it.

*Mister-B* · 11-17-2012, 03:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pritch

Pintos were more of a hatch-back, IIRC, and didn't really have a 'trunk', but as I was reading this, I was thinking that the Mustangs were just as likely to explode as the Pintos were.

I keep seeing this "IIRC" on this site. What does it mean?
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**leddzepp** · 11-17-2012, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dan42

The in cab or between frame rails is an old discussion. The fact of the matter is if you have 20 gallons of flammable liquid in a vehicle that is involved in high speed crash you will always have a certain amount of risk. I guess it just depends on how close you want to be to that flammable liquid. In the Pinto's case, the gas tank was not located between two large frame rails, and the passengers were much more likely to be exposed to ignited fuel.

This ^^^

PanelDeland · 11-17-2012, 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mister-B

I keep seeing this "IIRC" on this site. What does it mean?
Posted via Mobile Device

If
I
Remember
Correctly

Maybe we should all just drive a Prious and not have to worry about gas or anything,except for the Hydrogen gas from a battery.Common sense in all cases reduces risk,but no matter how much you "idiot proof" someone is gonna invent a better idiot.Part of the cost of a new car is in the amount that may be required to fix any recall problems.We pay for that whether there are any recalls or not.I don't remember the last time there weren't at least some minor recalls.

*Mister-B* · 11-17-2012, 04:35 PM

Lol. At least this guy has a sense of humor about it

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nobolt · 11-17-2012, 04:50 PM

it is AMAZING how good the front of the van looks after hitting the "stopped" pinto at "55 mph"

i remember hitting a small deer (the deer was also stopped) in the late 1970s. the deer did almost the same damage as the pinto. my van was still driveable with no radiator damage.

*mrhino* · 11-17-2012, 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nobolt

it is AMAZING how good the front of the van looks after hitting the "stopped" pinto at "55 mph"

i remember hitting a small deer (the deer was also stopped) in the late 1970s. the deer did almost the same damage as the pinto. my van was still driveable with no radiator damage.

I never thought of that. I believe they said the bumper on the van was reinforced, but how much I dont know. Still there really is much damage to the van.

*mrhino* · 11-17-2012, 05:37 PM

The story goes. the girls had just filled the tank and drove off with the fuel cap on the roof. A few miles later they stopped in the middle of the road (as there was no shoulder) to retrieve the cap, and the van slammed into the back of them. A perfect storm sorta speak. Had they not just filled up, or left the cap off. and obviously not stopped in the road, it might have been a different out come.
Shortly after this happened they put emergency shoulders every couple hundred yards for about 4 miles on a that stretch of road that goes through the whole state of Indiana.

I can remember back before tethered fuel caps everybody seam to be leaving their caps behind. either on their roof or the gas pump.

11-17-2012, 09:54 AM	#1
mrhino Account Suspended Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: USA Posts: 1,223	Remember the Pinto explosion I was going through some old photos and found this one. I know its not a chevy truck, but were all " car guys" and it is apart of automotive history. I hope it reminds all of us to be safe out there too! On August 10, 1978, three teenage girls were heading down US 33 in 1973 Ford Pinto. The girls stopped on the right lane of the highway shoulder. A van modified with a wood plank for a front bumper and a driver apparently high on marijuana was traveling at fifty five miles an hour and stuck the back of the stopped Pinto. The pinto exploded and burst into flames as a result of the impact. Two of the girls died at the scene. The driver was half ejected. I believe her foot was caught and could not get away. she was badly burned and died on the way to the hospital. My father was there, (he is the one in the middle of the pic with his back to the camera). He helped extricate the girls. To hear her story first hand, must have been horrifying.

11-17-2012, 10:30 AM	#2
cdowns Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: daytonabeach Posts: 22,956	Re: Remember the Pinto explosion and everybody cant wait to put thier gastanks in that old tried and tru pinto location on these trucks __________________ 71c-10 350/2004r/4:11 lowered3/4 longbed/dead by hurricane MEANING OF DEATH::::: SOMEBODY ELSE GETS YOUR STUFF DONT BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU THINK TAKE MY ADVISE;I DON'T USE IT ANYWAY

11-17-2012, 10:46 AM	#3
sjarrett71 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Rolla, MO Posts: 2,463	Re: Remember the Pinto explosion And they say marijuana is harmless. __________________ -Scott-

11-17-2012, 10:49 AM	#4
ubtripn Registered User Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Boise, ID Posts: 1,280	Re: Remember the Pinto explosion That is actually a valid point, I have thought about location of the tank there.

11-17-2012, 10:56 AM	#6
67ChevyRedneck Hittin E-Z Street on Mud Tires Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Greenville, SC Posts: 23,090	Re: Remember the Pinto explosion Those poor girls, they'd all be around 50 now. A perfect storm of bad car design and absolute stupidty. I hope the driver got a hefty prison sentence. __________________ Jesse James 1967 C10 SWB Stepside: 350/700R4/3.73 1965 Ford Mustang: 289/T5-5spd/3.25 Trac-Loc 1968 Pontiac Firebird: Project Fire Chicken! 2015 Silverado Double Cab 5.3L Z71 2001 Jeep Wrangler Sport 4.0L 5spd 2020 Chevrolet Equinox Premium 2.0L Turbo 2011 Mustang V6 ~ Wife's ride American Born, Country by the Grace of God 1967 CST Shop Truck Rebuild! My 1967 C-10 Build Thread My Vintage Air A/C Install Project "On a Dime" Trying my hand at Home Renovation! 1965 Mustang Modifications!

11-17-2012, 11:08 AM	#9
ubtripn Registered User Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Boise, ID Posts: 1,280	Re: Remember the Pinto explosion I do remember the dateline conspiracy to "recreate" the problem. Posted via Mobile Device

11-17-2012, 11:10 AM	#10
ubtripn Registered User Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Boise, ID Posts: 1,280	Re: Remember the Pinto explosion Posted via Mobile Device

11-17-2012, 11:17 AM	#11
twouvakind Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: South Carolina Posts: 2,664	Re: Remember the Pinto explosion Interesting related article: http://walterolson.com/articles/gmtrucks.html

11-17-2012, 11:18 AM	#12
ubtripn Registered User Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Boise, ID Posts: 1,280	Re: Remember the Pinto explosion I remember reading that Ford actually did a study at first to determine if recalling would be less than the law suits. To me that's criminal enough to have the execs serve time. The problem was definitely a perfect storm of 3 things. What I read was that the tank would be ruptured and then ignited by a bolt on the diff right when a seam between the driver and passenger would tear open. So the gas would enter the interior like a geyser and ignite. Absolutely horrible. It took more than one of the above accidents before action was taken. Lee Iacooca known for the saying, "safety doesn't sell" was involved. Very sad indeed. Posted via Mobile Device

11-17-2012, 11:19 AM	#14
BarryB Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Blountville, Tn. Posts: 3,904	Re: Remember the Pinto explosion Were the pinto tanks like the ones in mustangs? where the top of the tank was the trunk floor? I've always heard about the pinto gas tanks, but never really looked at or worked on one. __________________ We could learn a lot from crayons... Some are sharp; some are pretty;and some are dull. Some have weird names; and all are different colours;but they all have to live in the same box. You may be only one person in the world, But you may also be the world to one person. * Some mistakes are too much fun to only make once. Two rules in life. 1. Never sweat the small stuff! 2. Everything is small stuff!

11-17-2012, 11:20 AM	#15
ubtripn Registered User Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Boise, ID Posts: 1,280	Re: Remember the Pinto explosion I was wrong, it appears they knew about it going into production and did the cost/benefit analysis at that time. Posted via Mobile Device

11-17-2012, 03:27 PM	#17
dan42 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Cali Central Coast Posts: 5,191	Re: Remember the Pinto explosion The in cab or between frame rails is an old discussion. The fact of the matter is if you have 20 gallons of flammable liquid in a vehicle that is involved in high speed crash you will always have a certain amount of risk. I guess it just depends on how close you want to be to that flammable liquid. In the Pinto's case, the gas tank was not located between two large frame rails, and the passengers were much more likely to be exposed to ignited fuel. __________________ '67 SWB Fleetside ZZ4/350/Tremec 5-speed/4link/Scott's IFS - and fun as heck! SOLD Click here to support the board Philippians 4: 6-7

11-17-2012, 03:36 PM	#18
68shortstep Looks good at 20-ft ..... Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Mtn Home, AR Posts: 707	Re: Remember the Pinto explosion Yep, & yet the most desirable Mustangs are the hatchbacks, that yes, the back "floor" of the hatch area "trunk" was the top of the gas tank. You did have a nice layer of carpet over it back there to protect you, though. I had a buddy who had a mint green hatchback '66 pony-interior Hi-perf 271 horse (I think) 289 with 4-spd, who got rid of his car after this sad Pinto story hit the media. First pony interior car I ever saw. I just couldn't afford the $ 2,000 he was asking for it.

11-17-2012, 04:35 PM	#22
Mister-B Account Suspended Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Salt Lake City, Utah Posts: 3,332	Re: Remember the Pinto explosion Lol. At least this guy has a sense of humor about it Posted via Mobile Device

11-17-2012, 04:50 PM	#23
nobolt Registered User Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Algonac, MI 48001 Posts: 1,848	Re: Remember the Pinto explosion it is AMAZING how good the front of the van looks after hitting the "stopped" pinto at "55 mph" i remember hitting a small deer (the deer was also stopped) in the late 1970s. the deer did almost the same damage as the pinto. my van was still driveable with no radiator damage. __________________ Dave "... government even in its best state is but a necessary evil. Thomas Paine "It wasn't a lie, it was ineptitude with insufficient cover." Donald Draper (Mad Men)



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11-17-2012, 05:37 PM	#25
mrhino Account Suspended Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: USA Posts: 1,223	Re: Remember the Pinto explosion The story goes. the girls had just filled the tank and drove off with the fuel cap on the roof. A few miles later they stopped in the middle of the road (as there was no shoulder) to retrieve the cap, and the van slammed into the back of them. A perfect storm sorta speak. Had they not just filled up, or left the cap off. and obviously not stopped in the road, it might have been a different out come. Shortly after this happened they put emergency shoulders every couple hundred yards for about 4 miles on a that stretch of road that goes through the whole state of Indiana. I can remember back before tethered fuel caps everybody seam to be leaving their caps behind. either on their roof or the gas pump.

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