Ford Pinto Research Paper
Running Head: ENGINEERING
Engineering Issues and the Ford Pinto
Major Walker, III Troy University
The Ford Pinto was first introduced to the North American market in 1970. The Pinto was introduced primarily to compete in the small car market with where Volkswagen dominated. The way the Ford Pinto was designed tragically left rear-ends accidents up in flames. This is because the gas tank was positioned in between the bumper and the axle. This was normal for small cars except the Pinto also had filler neck that was ripped out on impact which caused gas to spill out and eventually ignite. Ironically, years before, Arjay Miller, president of Ford at that time (1965), testified to Congress that Ford would lead the way with a fabric gas tank that would prevent fires in rear end accidents stating that the fabric gas tank “will be a feature you will see on our standard cars.”(Birch, 1994 p.16) Seven years later, a woman and her son were in one of these accidents. Sadly the woman died and the son was left with a scarred body. Ford upper …show more content…
11 vs. a Burn Death (1977). [Electronic version]. Retrieved September 28,2008 from http://www.motherjones.com/news/feature/1977/09/death.html. Ford Pinto Fuel-Fed Fires (2006) The Center for Auto Safety. Retrieved September 28, 2008 from http://www.autosafety.org/ford-pinto-fuel-fed-fires Pinto Madness (1977) Mark Dowie [Electronic Version] Retrieved September 28, 2008 http://www.motherjones.com/news/feature/1977/09/dowie.html Shades of Pinto (1994) Fredric Tulsky. [Electronic Version]. Retrieved September 28, 2008 from http://www.motherjones.com/news/update/1994/01/tulsky.html The Ford Pinto Case (1994) Douglas Birsch, John H. Fielder [Electronic version] Retrieved September 28, 2008
Engineering Issues and the Ford Pinto
Major Walker, III Troy University
The Ford Pinto was first introduced to the North American market in 1970. The Pinto was introduced primarily to compete in the small car market with where Volkswagen dominated. The way the Ford Pinto was designed tragically left rear-ends accidents up in flames. This is because the gas tank was positioned in between the bumper and the axle. This was normal for small cars except the Pinto also had filler neck that was ripped out on impact which caused gas to spill out and eventually ignite. Ironically, years before, Arjay Miller, president of Ford at that time (1965), testified to Congress that Ford would lead the way with a fabric gas tank that would prevent fires in rear end accidents stating that the fabric gas tank “will be a feature you will see on our standard cars.”(Birch, 1994 p.16) Seven years later, a woman and her son were in one of these accidents. Sadly the woman died and the son was left with a scarred body. Ford upper …show more content…
11 vs. a Burn Death (1977). [Electronic version]. Retrieved September 28,2008 from http://www.motherjones.com/news/feature/1977/09/death.html. Ford Pinto Fuel-Fed Fires (2006) The Center for Auto Safety. Retrieved September 28, 2008 from http://www.autosafety.org/ford-pinto-fuel-fed-fires Pinto Madness (1977) Mark Dowie [Electronic Version] Retrieved September 28, 2008 http://www.motherjones.com/news/feature/1977/09/dowie.html Shades of Pinto (1994) Fredric Tulsky. [Electronic Version]. Retrieved September 28, 2008 from http://www.motherjones.com/news/update/1994/01/tulsky.html The Ford Pinto Case (1994) Douglas Birsch, John H. Fielder [Electronic version] Retrieved September 28, 2008