The Mazda RX-7 is an absolute classic across all of its generation. The original was a competitive sports car in the early 1980s. The second model looked like a Japanese take on the Porsche 944, and the third iteration featured a beautiful body with an impressive engine.
Classic car owners know that keeping the battery going is a constant concern when maintaining an older vehicle. These machines might go out for a drive on the occasional Sunday, but they mostly live in a garage. Over time, the battery runs out of charge. Today, there are lithium-ion battery options that can last longer than old-school lead-acid units.
A Fiery RX-7
The Lancaster Township Fire Department in Pennsylvania responded to a 911 call about a car fire. When firefighters arrived, they found the red 1982 Mazda RX7 with a still-smoldering blaze in its trunk. This vehicle was particularly interesting due to a body kit with a front splitter, extended side sills, and a rear spoiler.
The fire department reported that the owner’s wife noticed a burning smell while she was in the kitchen. She noticed smoke upon opening the door to the home’s garage. She called 911 and alerted her husband about the blaze. The couple was able to push the vehicle into the street and then used two fire extinguishers to put out the conflagration.
The firefighters investigated the fire’s cause and found the car had an aftermarket lithium-ion battery, which was continuing to burn even after removing it from the vehicle. After they extinguished the blaze, a hazardous materials team arrived to assist in properly disposing of the pack. According to the fire department, the fire only affected the RX-7’s trunk.
The Aftermath
There’s bad news for the owner. He owned the car for 17 years and often took it to car shows. This was apparently the second time the vehicle had caught fire.
The good news is that the damage doesn’t look too extensive. Most of the RX-7’s vital mechanical components are under the hood, and this fire was at the back. The body panels don’t look too bad, so this person might get away with just replacing some upholstery and wiring. Obviously, he needs a new battery, too.
TopSpeed’s Take
Car fires are incredibly dangerous because automobiles are full of flammable materials. A blaze in a garage could cause a whole house to go up in flames. This couple did the right thing by using fire extinguishers and pushing the vehicle into the road to let the fire department handle the blaze. Even the greatest car ever isn’t worth someone’s life.
Read the full article here