Mustang fuel tank safety?

the new federal standards make the fuel tanks go in front of the axle now. the possibility of a tank related problem from a rear end collision is pretty slim.

Fuel Tank safety

Several years ago, I was rear ended at 60-65 mph, I was almost stopped. I was driving a 1997 Mustang GT convertible. The tank was slowly leaking fuel, but luckely there was no fire.

Fuel Tank safety

It's hard to say. I was kind of knocked out, but just for a few seconds. My door opened OK and I didn't have any trouble getting out, but I was very wobbley. The only injuries I had were a cut on the back of my left hand, and some pretty severe whiplash. I like to think I could have gotten out if it had ignited, but I can't be sure. The car was totaled.

A lil off topic but I was rear ended in my Ranger and the only damage was to the fram around the back window where it hit the back of my head during impact. Unbelieveable as it sounds the lady who hit me had to have her car towed away and not a scratch on my rear bumper. I was stopped and she was probably doing 35-40.

As bigcat said, it is now federal law that the tank has to be in front of the rear axle. That being said, it should minimise any damage from being rear ended, but you'll never completely remove the threat of a tank leaking after a collision. I haven't heard of any issues regarding this with the S197 though.

I also have been rear ended, about a month after I picked up the car. Some girl on a cell phone wasn't paying attention, and hit me doing about 30.... didn't even hit the brakes, while I was dead stopped at a light.

Her civic was almost totaled... hood, both front quarter panels, bumper and radiator were all destroyed, along with some other stuff I'm sure. I had my bumper replaced, and thats it. No damage to my rear quarters. Hell, the stock muffler tip on the passenger side punched a perfect hole through her front license plate and bumper. I was amazed that the muffler didn't even need to be replaced. You should have seen the look on my face when I pulled a perfect disk of aluminum and plastic out of the muffler.

I've been convinced personally that the S197 can withstand a fairly hefty hit, and be in quite good shape compared to the other guy.....

I had an '85 GT. The shock absorbers were directly behind the gas tank. If it were hit, there would be the possibility of the shocks piercing the gas tank. Ford's solution was rubber covers on the bottom of the shocks.