IML: 64 Iml HORROR STORY

OMG! It happened to me yesterday. I took the car out for its weekly cruise and was just getting off the freeway in Henderson when the car suddenly "popped" and then the speed reduced from 65 to 50 and it had no power. I got off the freeway and while passing one of the casinos, I smelled something burning.

I looked down and saw that the carpeting on top of the transmission tunnel a aglow and a burning hole was materializing and getting bigger, as the carpet wafted its burning smell. Then, the car stopped running and I wrestled it to the casino driveway. As I stopped and to my horror, black smoke started to billow out from under the hood.

I ran to the trunk, got out the fire extinguisher and popped the hood. Flames were shooting up and completely surrounding the air cleaner! Two quick shots from the extinguisher and the fire was out, along with an extra shot at my carpet.

OMG! I got this sick feeling in my stomach! In the last year, I spent 11 grand on this baby redoing absolutely everything under the hood and underneath the car. My head was swimming and thoughts of financial disaster started running through it.

After the smoke cleared and my blood pressure dropped a little, I started to survey the damage and try to figure out what went wrong. Amazingly, the near perfect paint had not been touched. The hood pad kept the flames from the paint...all the wiring was toast and some parts were literally disintegrated. The burned wiring stopped just before the firewall connector, but all the wiring and the hoses to the rear of the engine went up in flames.

I had noticed that the car wasn't running very smooth and a couple weeks ago posted a question regarding it - but, no one responded. So, I checked the timing and retarded it a little back to specs, checked all the plugs and wires and adjusted the carb and replaced the fuel filter. It ran better, but there still seemed to be a little flat spotting on moderate acceleration. I think it had been running lean. And, I think it was because some tiny something or other got caught and was preventing proper fuel flow through the carb

Well, apparently, on the freeway fuel started to come out of the carb (I guess) after an apparent backfire and the damn thing caught fire. That sucker was flaming while I was still on the freeway and the air flow blew the flames and perhaps some fuel back along the top of the transmission where it superheated the tranny tunnel.

The estimate to replace all the wiring, carb, detail the engine compartment and replace the carpet is just under $3000. I called American Collector's Insurance - the company has insured me for many years on several cars - I pay $226 a year for zero deductible coverage - they didn't blink an eye. As soon as the appraiser/adjuster sees the car, work can begin. Luckily, a very professional classics and hot rod mechanic nearby will replace the wiring with modern, no burn stuff and wrap the wiring so that everything looks original.

So, I will live to drive the car once again, but two points need to be made here.

Point One - Get a fire extinguisher and carry it at all times. It literally saved the car from destruction - because, it would have been totally engulfed in flames by the time the fire department arrived.

Point Two - FULL coverage collector car insurance is an absolute bargain. I have mine covered for $36000 for only $226 a year. There really is no reason not to have full coverage. Liability only is fine - until you have a fire or crash, then you are in deep waters.

I thank the Imperial gods that were watching over me yesterday.

Jay D'Angelo
64 Iml Cvt
Las vegas