Yup. My '72T caught fire the first week I owned it. What do you get when you mix old cracked fuel lines with old, arcing plug wires? You guessed it.
It was really quite a surreal experience. The car was parked in front of my house on a fairly busy street. I had just driven it around the block a few times, and was pretty happy with my purchase. I go back out to start the car to move it into the carport, and it wouldn't fire. Keep cranking, nothing. Next, I see some smoke in the rear view mirror. Didn't know what to think at first, so I walk around to take a look. Flames were shooting up from the left side of the engine!
So, I panic. I run to get the hose (stupid, I know), but realize that it is in the back yard. I run across the street in hopes that they might have a hose that would be long enough to cross the street and douse my car. No luck. I'm getting really panicked at this point. (Didn't even think about the fire extinguisher in the garage). With thoughts of watching my new car burn to the ground right before my eyes, I run back across the street. Just as I get there, a guy in an old F250 pulls up, grabs a fire extinguisher from behind the seat, and puts out the fire.
My Porsche guardian angel.
All I could mutter at the time was "thanks," and with that, he was back in his truck and gone. Never got his name, never was able to buy him a beer, never saw him again.
The damage was truly minor. The whole episode took less than 30 seconds.
I think that guy kept me in Porsches for life. Thanks.
(oh, I have a fire extinguisher now
)
Jim