79 replies to this topic

[mini93]

not sure if its been said yet, but even if it has it cant hurt to mention once again...if you go anywhere near the car wear thick gloves! especialy if your going poking around, the rubber in parts like rubber gromets etc turn into something very corosive and damaging to your skin, keep safe

hope you get another one sorted when you feell upto it

[1984mini25]

I ran away from it as i knew the fire had started in the boot it was likely to have the petrol tank soon aflame. I watched my car go up in flames and i was in tears. My whole car and possessions burnt to the ground as i watched.

The fire brigade told me the nature of the fire was likely to be an electrical one, and they had suggested i may have had a small leak from my petrol tank. And my battery was exposed to it, as there was no cover over it.

Very sad to see this, glad you escaped in time. Unfortunately once they have caught fires can take hold of cars very quickly destroying all your hard work in seconds.

Please always take extra care with wiring in Mini's, there are a lot of sharp metal edges and pointed self-tapping screws near cable runs (eg. behind the grille!). Insulate connections and check and use rubber grommets through all holes in panels. Always secure and fit the cover over the battery, make sure the live terminal has a red plastic insulation cover like modern cars, jacks and metal tools can slide around in the boot touch the terminal...............sparks and an internal petrol tank perhaps leaking fumes through the breather pipe is all it takes............

Would not have helped much in this case but also recommend to always carry a fire extingusher and fit an emergency battery cut-out switch like race Mini's use.

I’ve hard of stories like this a few times, where the grommet in the boot floor disintegrates, the main battery then rubs though on the metalwork and the battery shorts outs and catches fire, unfortunately taking the car with it.

So as a precaution I’ve always replaced the grommet in the boot floor regardless of condition, with one with a larger inner diameter and run the cable through some coolant hose as well as the grommet.

[Mini-Mad-Craig]

Unlucky matey But at least you're still here, It could have been a lot worse!

Good luck in finding another Mini and stick around to update us

[GTIAlex06]

Id be absolutley gutted.



Such a good looking car as well



Great photography as well

[mk1leg]

Hi..and sorry to see your unfortunate accident ..so don't be to dishartened Your still alive and I'm sure you will Have another beautifull mini again.................

[JmayfairJ]

for you to just say hey back to the drawing board after what you have been through! i take my hat off to you, i hope you get what its worth from the insurers! your ok at least and im sure it wont be long until you put another mint car back on the road! good luck with the insurers and your next project!

[Lloydie Boy]

christ, hope your ok mate. where did this happen because i've taken my mini through all the back rounds around where you're from and they are great fun round there.

hope you find a replacement soon enough.

[Miniature]

Aw man, that is truely horrific!! I am very glad to hear you are ok, as you said that could have cost you your life had you not looked in your mirrors!!! Are the burns bad? I hope you feel better soon.

That must have been heartbreaking for you to watch such a beautiful little mini get engulfed in flames my sister had the same problem with her old car (was only a rubbish little fiat panda) - she was driving along and all of a sudden the whole car was up in flames. They think hers was due to a leak in the fuel line due to how quickly it went up in flames. There is nothing you can do but stand and watch as everything you had worked towards goes up in flames. I really do feel for you.

The main thing is that you got out ok though. Best of luck in the future, hope this doesnt put you off getting another mini.

[miniman retford]

Only just seen this ! Dont really know what to say but glad your ok

[Dolly 89]

sorry to hear this mate but the main thing is your still alive and came out with only minor injuries ( i hope they are minor anyway)
keep your chin up mate and i hope you can get one back on the road in as good condition as this one was

[jameswildcooper]

thats really harsh mate. im so sorry to see that. glad your ok though.

did y our car have twin tanks? as in one of the first pics there is a hole there for the neck of one?

[WorksReplica]

christ, hope your ok mate. where did this happen because i've taken my mini through all the back rounds around where you're from and they are great fun round there.

hope you find a replacement soon enough.

not too far away, just outside oundle on a backroad near a village called glapthorn. nice to see another user who has one nearby. i'll look out for you. thanks

[retroracer1275]

oh no! mate im gutted for you such a shame to see a mini go up.

maybe that chap will donate that mini to you? i think that would be a great idea!

[baker_boy]

thats mental mate! sounds like something from a james bond movie! glad to hear your ok and still alive and lucky you stopped where you did, couldnt imagine what it would have been like on a motorway or worse still sitting in traffic with lots of people around.. i could never imagine anything like that happening to me.. you must still be very upset as it looked awesome.. hope you get another one soon buddy

[coopersmate]

sorry to see such a beautiful mini destroyed. BUt hey you now have an excuse to start that next project. Good luck and glad you are alright. Also you now have the best ever car crash story for the pub ever. YOu had to jump out. Awsome.