1971 Coupe: Part Identification Help

[Terry M.]

Well it looks and feels like Styrofoam. Yes it is in coupes. Everyone I have access to is glued in. I doubt it could be removed in one piece. Only one face is visible, as shown in that photo in the TIM&JG. The rest of the block of foam rests against fiberglass.

The cars were built to the safety standards of the day. In most cases those standards pale in comparison to modern standards.

As to the safety of that one block of foam -- have you seen the fiberglass car burn? I guess the fumes of burning fiberglass are toxic also. That small block (two of them actually) isn't much in comparison to the fiberglass and foam in the seats. The whole car is a toxic mess once set ablaze.

Then there is the battery in the passenger compartment of C3s, C6s (Z06 & ZR1), C7 (Z06 & ZR1) & all C8s. Might be some C5s as well, but I don't know for sure. Yes, the AGM batteries are marginally safer, but I wouldn't want to rest my life on that margin.

Then there is the lack of safety items -- no collapsible steering columns in C1s and most C2s -- no modern headlamps in the earlier cars, lack of seat belts, and on and on.

If one spends their time thinking about those hazards the miles of smiles will become far less pleasurable. I prefer to ignore those thoughts. Given the toxic chemicals I have dealt with in my lifetime (which I am suffering the results of in my old age) that block of foam is minuscule. But those are my issues, and I hope they don't affect many others.

[Mark F.]

Terry,

all excellent points - and I agree with all that you say...
I don't know when materials used on the INSIDEs of cars started being evaluated for their fire hazards, but I do think that happened...maybe much later on ?

[Mark F.]

Hi Terry (again ),

I Googled "when did fire testing begin for interior car parts" and the link below is one of many that showed up...

https://www.aeroblazelab.com/tests/flammability-interior-materials-fmvss-302

Here's a summary of the history, which I thought was interesting...

History of the Horizontal Bunsen Burner Test
In 1969, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) determined the need to address fire safety in vehicle interiors. A new test method was created based on the 1951 Federal Specification CCC-T-191b, Method 5906* "Flame Resistance of Cloth, Horizontal". The new test method, known as FMVSS No. 302, was adopted in 1971 to establish a maximum burn rate for interior materials. The goal was to reduce the severity and frequency of burn injuries during vehicle fires by increasing the occupant evacuation time, especially fires caused from discarded cigarettes and matches.

The FMVSS 302 regulation is located in the Code of Federal Regulations, Title 49 - Transportation, Subtitle B - Other Regulations Relating to Transportation, Chapter V - National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Department of Transportation, Part 571 - Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.

*The CCT-T-191b, Method 5906 test method was superseded by FED-STD-191, Method 5906, and is still in use.

[Ray K.]

Thanks to everyone for all their expertise and feedback on the foam and stryofoam pieces. Your knowledge & dedication is "overwhelming."

Interestingly enough, I went back and looked into the rear compartment of this originally owned '71 coupe and found the foam and styrofoam pieces on the passenger side of the rear compartment. Even more interesting is that neither is on the left hand side of the rear compartment . . . . go figure!
Ray K (#43777)