This is a question that I have pondered for a while, and certainly with the 1970 drop in tank that is not isolated from the trunk per say, since the trunk floor on this model is the top of the fuel tank. We all know how dangerous the Pinto gas tank design was (serious and obviously preventable/correctable design flaw), but I have always wondered about the safety and history of the Maverick fuel tank. I have read a lot about the Pinto design and realize the Maverick tank is mounted differently than the Pinto, but I was in an automotive class studing fuel systems the other night when the instructor mentioned the Pintos, but then later mentioned how Mavericks and LTDs during the 70's had problems as well. This guy has been around cars for the last 35+ years, and it caught me off guard a little. Some of you guys that have been around these cars for a long time i.e. original owners etc. How you every heard of any problems with rear end impact on this cars. Obviously nothing like the Pinto, but just curious if anyone every heard of any problem with the Mavericks/Comets? I had done some research on the internet and it looked like the Maverick was named, but then dropped as a problem vehicle. Comments?
I totalled my 1970 Maverick Grabber in 1976 when I slid off a road. See more pictures on this link: MY WRECKED MAVERICK. I never smelled a drop of gas!
Actually, I read where on 27 - not "thousands"- of deaths were caused by the gas tank erupting. The gas tanks of the 1988 GM's, I believe, were supposed as deadly or moreso than the Pinto. Again, according to print. Some Nader-wannabe wants his name in the news to promote his ego and finds ways to exagerrate the numbers to his advantage. However, who are we to believe? :shrug: -Rick reference: "In a summer 1991 Rutgers Law Review article Gary Schwartz demolishes "the myth of the Pinto case." Actual deaths in Pinto fires have come in at a known 27, not the expected thousand or more." sources: http://www.junkscience.com/may02/Katzenstein.htm http://walterolson.com/articles/gmtrucks.html and other sites
Rick, Good info, I had read the fatalities were in the hundreds and quite a few people who had been severly burned. The biggest problem with the Pinto fiasco was that it was a known problem for years before they did anything about it (if I recall right it was a known problem before production and it was already a rush to market vehicle and they didn't want any delays). All they had to do was protect the tank from the metal bolts that would rupture the tank on impact. Doug, thanks for the pics. It is reassuring to look at the damage on your 1970 Grabber. Especially since it was a 70' model. It was interesting reading on your website that you said . . . you were a "The Fuller Brush Man". I got a chuckle out of that one. Thanks,
I'll second Doug, I totaled my '74 when a drunk rear-ended me back in '89. Crunched the trunk in pretty bad, didn't spill a drop of gas...in fact I pulled the fenders off the wheels and drove it home!
yeah, but in Doug's case.... He got one weird form of whip lash. Whatever happend to him that day of the wreck???? Kinda like the movie "Ground Hog Day" Everyday he wakes up and does the samething over and over. Buys another Maverick Buys another Comet and so on and so on
wrecks!!!!!! where i live there is this little old lady that has a mint and i mean mint red comet with black vinyl top. she was rear ended by my ex-girlfriend in her dodge avenger! i was alittle upset when i got the call to pick her up she just said she was in a wreck, didnt say anything about hitting a comet, anyways i pull up to the scene in my black 72 grabber and i felt really bad for the old woman because she was looking at my car HARD! and then she said do you know anybody who has an extra valance panel! i was shocked i went and looked at the comet and whitneys avenger just went under the comet and dented in the bottom of the valance. her avenger was totaled. and i made a little old lady happy because as a matter of fact i just got back from a guy i was helping and he gave me some comet parts to have. in those parts was a clean but (blue) valance. i just gave it to her, i felt like she deserved it especially with whitney being my girlfriend and all. also i told whitney if she hated mavericks/comets that much i wouldn't park behind her again! ( just to be safe)!!lol ... also i saw 2 pintos around here........their license plates Pinto (Bean) and Pinto (Kaboom) !!!!!!! thanks
mentioned how Mavericks and LTDs during the 70's had problems as well You'll be ok. Just don't get in any demolition derby's and run into people bacwards!
Any tank could be a potential problem if hit with enough force, and under the right circumstances. Unfortunately you cant make anything idiot proof. But leave it to Humans to screw up a good thing. I believe it was Einstein who said, "The only thing infinate in this world is the universe and human stupidity"
The problem with the pintos was the filler neck pulling out, the mavericks were not designed the same. ANything could be a problem hit hard enough, I wouldn't worry about it.
In fact, speaking of the filler neck: After my wreck [see above post], I was able to drive it around, but I couln't get any gas into the tank because the neck was closed off. (The lady at the gas station got mad at me for giving her $2.00 to fill up, and returned for change after only spilling 9 cents worth of gas)!
Well, the '74-'77 models are obviously safer due to the tanks being protected by the large bumpers. It's definitely going to be less safe to have the tank serve as the trunk floor as in the '70 model and the '60s Mustangs. My '73 has a seperate trunk floor and the tank mounts under it. I don't know about the '71s or '72s but I think they are the same as mine...
