Last week a Nissan Fairlady Z caught fire near Lake Yamanaka in Japan. The area, located by Mt Fuji, is known for its outdoor sports, scenery, and driving roads, and it’s a frequent hot spot for Miatas, Toyota 86es, and the like. Sadly, after this recent incident, it’s home to one less Z.
According to the Shiga Fire Department, the car was a owned by a local classic and exotic car rental company. The license plate matches that of a Fairlady Z owned by Fun2Drive, which rents the car for around $500 per tour. According to their website, the car is listed as a 1975 Fairlady Z, which makes it likely that this was a 240ZG clone and not an original.
Still, it’s sad to see any classic go up in flames. In recent years we’ve seen, a Hakosuka Skyline crash and a Toyota 2000GT crushed by a tree. The fire appears to have started in the cabin rather than the engine bay, but it appears that the occupants were able to get out in time before anyone was injured. Several fire and emergency vehicles were deployed to the scene of the conflagration, but it’s unknown what caused the blaze.
Images: Shiga Fire Dept.
I suspect a lit cigarette wasn’t put into the ashtray, or fell between the seats by accident.
Ummm… perhaps a tad LATE with the fire hose? Looked like everyone stood around awaiting flash point before any action was taken. Odd.
Aren’t fire extinguishers obligatory car equipment in Japan like in most European countries?
No idea but if it was electrical it would have kept ‘re-flaming’ until the battery was unhooked. Ask me how I know :/
Are extinguishers obligatory in most european countries?
They are not obligatory in euro countries
I live in Polnad, where the extinguisher is obligatory. The web site of my Ministry of Foreign Affairs states that the fire extinguisher is obligatory in: Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, Ukraine, Denmark, Finnland, Sweden, Bulgaria, Romania, Irelnad, Germany, Great, Britain, Grece.
Beside that, those counttries “advise” to have an extinguiser on board: Norway, Hungary, Belgium, Holland, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Serbia, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
As a side note: i’ve found something inretesting. Japanese made granade-type fire extinguishers Nagekesu SAT 119, that are simply thrown into the fire without any other actions. Just take a look:
https://youtu.be/K0F1_Phxmh4
That’s awesome…
Naa, thats not right, Great Britain certainly doesnt require a fire extinguisher, I know that much
A new Devil Z is born.
This could’ve been an overheating catalytic converter. I remember reading about Z’s having the “FLOOR TEMP” light serving as a warning to slow down before the cat starts roasting the carpet.
See also: TTAC: “What’s the Deal with those FLOOR TEMP Warning Lights in Malaise Era Datsuns?”, March 17, 2012.
I don’t think Japanese Nissans had catalytic converters in 1975…
I cringe when people stand around cars on fire. It’s not just the flames that are dangerous. Not only are the fumes toxic, there are various sundry items that would cook off as explosions or missiles. First responders approach burning cars at 45 degree angles so bumper strut cylinders don’t launch to impale you. Gas struts, batteries, stressed panels all are out to explode or launch. Teslas are even more problematic so they have first responder “cut zones”.
Please don’t hang around these things as they burn.
Aww that sux I’m pretty sure I saw this car in person near Hakone I passed by fun2drive
https://hadesomega.smugmug.com/Events-and-Touring/Japan-Trip-2016/Samsung/02/i-G24G8JP
40 year old car, likely some old wiring shorted.