V8 Interceptor Fuel Tank Capacity

[PL-12Airtruk]

Hello, I'm sure others have wondered this but has the total fuel capacity for the MM2 Interceptor with the boot tanks ever been calculated?

I decided to have a go using my Aoshima 1:24 scale kitset as a base. The kitset is 100% a 24th scale version of the XBGT Hardtop - 200mm to 4808mm which was a good
starting point. The tanks on the kitset are 19mm x 41mm scaled up to actual size would be 456mm x 984mm.

Using a math equation online I calculated the cylinder tanks as 160 litres each.

This would give the Interceptor, fully fueled, a capacity of 160 litres x 2 plus original tank of 80 litres a total of 400 litres (88gal).

According to various publications the XBGT Hardtop did ABOUT 15mi to the gallon on a good day.

Working this through you get an approx range of plus or minus 2120km there abouts....

This does not take into account the long range 27gal tank many coupes had but the standard 17.6 gal one.

[mahenoguy]

wow......I've never thought to scale up the volume off the Model. the Aoshima tanks are proportionally smaller than the ones in the Autoart version which i would assume to be more accurate if the other features are anything to go by . All that said though , the fuel gauge in the film only goes up to 250 litres ( presumably combined ) giving 125 litres per side . Does anyone know if a coupe could even carry that sort of weight without bending like a banana ? To put your equation in real world terms ( yes i know they were not really functional) you would have to adjust your figure of overall mileage to account for the extra weight of said fuel , plus forced induction and not to mention the horrible aerodynamics of the roof spoiler .I would guess its fuel economy would be much less than a standard 351 GT..... even with the extra 40 litres in the Jerry cans either side of the tanks , my Guess ( just a guess mind you ) would be more like 1500km total range.

[Nightwalker]

The range able with that amount of fuel is purely theoretically. The total weight of the 400L is 288Kg. And than you have to take the weight of the cylinder tanks themselves, and all the stuff Max collected for his survival kit. I think he was carrying 400+ Kg at least in the car.
Also giving the lack of maintenance will take its toll on the engine. Considering he was on the move most of the time, all these factors combined will give a much higher fuel consumption.

@mahenoguy:
Don't worry about the weight. Such an old car with a separate chassis is able to handle a lot of weight. Only concern is the suspension. The springs would be stiffened to handle the extra weight.
I transported 600+ Kg twice on one day once in a Fiat Tempra S.W. That is half the weight of the car itself as cargo. No problems there. Only braking makes you sweat

[PL-12Airtruk]

The range I quoted was for a maximum range assuming no SC in operation, being chased etc. etc. Basically a paper one based on continuous driving at a reasonable speed.
I agree the tanks on the 1:24 Aoshima kit do seem a bit smaller than the ones in the film, maybe the tank capacity was more like 180 litres each? All the same it would be
great to hear from someone involved in Interceptor rebuilds what the tank capacity might actually be?