7.18.10

 

When we found this little Toyota, the previous owner told us it ran.  When we went to check it out, we quickly learned that it ran by an IV-type gas line pulling fuel from a 1 gallon spare tank with a hose running out of it... something was wrong with the original gas tank.  So, with this impromptu setup we were able to drive the car onto the trailer, and then up the driveway to the shop and that was the end of the Celica's mobility.  It was time to add a fuel cell.

 

Fuel cells are a standard addition to race cars of all types because of their safety features.  They are built to withstand impact and reduce the potential for fuel spills and fires.  The only trick is where to put it, and for this part we chose to cut a gaping hole in the trunk.

 

We could have just hung the fuel cell with two flat steel straps since we had the fuel cell in a steel can but thats not how it is done in NASCAR country.  We built a cage for the fuel cell from 1" square tubing and welded it into the rear of the Celica where the rusted out spare tire tub was. The rules say that the fuel tank and lines must be coverel with a metal cover so built an aluminum cover with dzus fasteners so that we could take it off to fill the tank with gas.