[HiTech RedNeck]

So there are some that have not succumbed to rear-ender fires after all.

Wasn’t the problem one of a filler neck behind the license plate, as in the older style of American car? Except there was no beef to a Pinto, so a rear end strike would breach the neck and generate sparks. The Vega and Gremlin had side filler necks I believe (I know the Vega did).

A few years ago I saw a Vega or two on eBay, which had had a V-8 installed in it and was living in a low-rust area.

[TexasGator]

“Except there was no beef to a Pinto, so a rear end strike would breach the neck and generate sparks. The Vega and Gremlin had side filler necks I believe (I know the Vega did).”

Pinto had best safety record in class unless you are a follower of ralph.

[Red Badger]

I had a 74 Pinto.

The Gas tanks were mounted behind the rear axles instead of in front, so a rear end hit would shove the gas tank into the differential bolts puncturing it.............

[OldMissileer]

Except there was no beef to a Pinto, so a rear end strike would breach the neck and generate sparks.

IIRC there was an issue with the placement of the tank itself. The recall placed a shield at the front of the tank so a rear end collision would not force the tank forward where the tank would be breached and gasoline emptied onto the exhaust system.